Well-Safe Solutions has appointed a Director of Communications to its rapidly expanding team.

Former Press & Journal editor, Damian Bates, will be tasked with providing guidance and support to the senior management team on government policy and political relations via his newly formed consultancy Abraitis and Co.

Damian was editor of The Press & Journal and sister title, The Evening Express, for more than a decade and was also Editor-in-Chief of Aberdeen Journals for almost five years.

His appointment is the latest in a string of high profile announcements for Well-Safe Solutions as it continues to rapidly expand in the embryonic decommissioning sector.

The specialist well abandonment company, launched in July this year, has already assembled a senior team of nine well-known industry experts and now employs over 22 people at its newly refurbished headquarters at the prestigious Hill of Rubislaw in Aberdeen.

Aiming to become a major “Tier 1” well abandonment service company, Well-Safe will provide a fully integrated package using its own bespoke marine and land-based assets to help oil and gas operators meet the challenges of safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of wells.

Mark Patterson, founder of Well-Safe Solutions and executive director: “Damian brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the political sphere in Scotland, the UK and beyond and will help us navigate our way through what can be a very challenging environment.

“We’re very excited that Damian’s first client – just a few weeks since stepping down from one of the UK’s most prestigious media roles – is Well-Safe Solutions. We’re building a team of real heavyweights in their own fields and people are really sitting up and taking notice of what we’re doing.

“Our ambition however stretches beyond the North Sea to deliver a truly global offering. Already, we are getting significant interest and endorsement from some of the biggest players in the UKCS and beyond.”

Mr Bates has worked across the UK for a variety of newspapers in his 28-year career in the media and is also a published author. He was previously chairman of the Editors’ Committee of the Scottish Newspaper Society and spent five years sitting on the Editors’ Code Committee, which sets the rules for the industry’s own regulatory system.

Mr Bates said of his appointment at Well-Safe: “I’ve been really impressed by Well-Safe and have been speaking to Mark for several months about working alongside his team. Well-Safe Solutions is an incredibly exciting company with some of the best practitioners in the industry and I was really keen to join what is clearly going to be a real success story.”

Well-Safe Solutions has appointed a Director of Well Abandonment to its growing list of decommissioning experts, bringing the senior team to nine since launching this summer.

Matt Jenkins has joined Well-Safe from Conoco,  where he led UK P&A (plug and abandonment) engineering and strategy, and was pivotal in the Southern North Sea Decommissioning project.

As director of well abandonment at Well-Safe Solutions, Mr Jenkins will lead the technical team to design safe and efficient well P&A operations for clients, ensuring the best possible solutions are implemented to mitigate risk.

Well-Safe Solutions now employs over 22 people at its Hill of Rubislaw headquarters in Aberdeen.

Aiming to become a major tier 1 well abandonment service company, Well-Safe Solutions will provide a fully integrated package using its own bespoke marine assets to help oil and gas operators to meet the challenges of safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of subsea wells.

Phil Milton, CEO of Well-Safe Solutions, said: “With yet another decommissioning heavyweight joining us, we are proving that there is significant interest in our approach and underlining the opportunities available to both the industry and within our business.

“We’re not only the talk of the town, but of the industry globally and since launching, we have been inundated with expressions of real interest and collaboration from potential clients, financial institutions, as well as rig and vessel owners and equipment suppliers.”

Mr Milton said that the past six weeks had been hugely exciting with an “overwhelmingly positive endorsement from across the industry” and much hard work in assembling the team.

Commenting on Mr Jenkins’ appointment, he added: “With extensive experience of the complete well lifecycle, Matt knows intimately the technical challenges of P&A design and operations that we are seeking to solve safely and efficiently. Retaining and sharing lessons learned, we will deliver safe, efficient well P&A operations in collaboration with our clients and stakeholders which result in significant cost reductions. Giving our clients and government the ideal solution.”

With 15 years’ experience in a wide variety of North Sea projects through drilling, completion, intervention and abandonment, Mr Jenkins has seen the complete well life cycle and has a depth of experience in addressing the technical challenges of P&A. He has a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Heriot-Watt University and is a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE.

Mr Jenkins is currently co-chair of the Oil and Gas UK Well Abandonment workgroup and led the 2017 update to the Well Abandonment Guidelines.

Well-Safe Solutions, a new entrant to the decommissioning market, has further strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Jim Christie as director of programmes.

The specialist well abandonment company, launched in July this year, has already assembled a senior team of eight well-known industry experts and now employs 20 people.

Well-Safe has just signed a five year lease for 4,400 square feet to accommodate over 60 people at Hill of Rubislaw in Aberdeen and will be moving in this week. The prestigious, newly refurbished offices have flexible open-plan and office space which can be increased as the company grows.

Aiming to become a major tier 1 well abandonment service company, Well-Safe will provide a fully integrated package using its own bespoke marine assets to help oil and gas operators to meet the challenges of safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of subsea wells.

The appointment of Mr Christie follows hot on the heels of the company’s first acquisition and recruitment of the chief executive officer, a chief technical officer and commercial director.

Formerly head of decommissioning with the OGA, Mr Christie has 35 years’ experience in oil and gas, civil engineering, construction, refining, power, transportation and ship-building with extensive expertise in offshore decommissioning in the US and the UK, working with owners, regulators and the supply chain.

Speaking at Offshore Europe, where Well-Safe Solutions has a high profile presence in the Decom Zone, founder and executive director, Mark Patterson, said: “Jim’s appointment is highly significant and a major boost in our ambition to become a leader in plug and abandonment in the decommissioning sector.

“Retaining and sharing lessons learned, we will deliver safe, efficient well P&A operations in collaboration with our clients and stakeholders which result in significant cost reductions.
“The response from industry since our launch has been incredible and we are gaining huge support for our complete package offering.”

As head of decommissioning for the OGA, Jim was responsible for the development of the UK’s decommissioning strategy, working in collaboration with the industry and government.
“As we seek to work hand-in-hand with the regulator to support operators in navigating the complex regulatory process, with a view to driving change and transparency while ensuring tax efficiency, Jim’s experience will be invaluable to our team,” added Mr Patterson.

Prior to his role at the OGA, Mr Christie was global decommissioning projects manager with Marathon Oil in Houston. He joined Marathon in 1984 and has held various project management and project assurance roles for the operator, including working on decommissioning of the Brae Field.

Well-Safe has also announced the appointment of a director of finance. Alan Cormack joins the company with immediate effect. A qualified accountant with ten years’ experience in senior finance roles in the oil and gas industry, Mr Cormack joins from Raeburn Recruitment where he was head of finance. Before that, he worked with Mr Patterson as director of finance at Nautronix for almost a decade.

Mr Patterson said: “Having Alan on board to take care of all our financial affairs is ideal. Having worked closely with him in the past, I have the utmost respect for and trust in his ability. He is a great addition to the team and will be instrumental in developing our back office support.”

Well-Safe Solutions has announced the appointment of two more directors to lead the recently-launched business which aims to become a market-leader in North Sea decommissioning.

A specialist well abandonment company, Well-Safe Solutions will help oil and gas operators to meet the challenges of safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of subsea wells.

Following the recent announcement of the company’s first acquisition and appointment of chief executive officer, Phil Milton, Well-Safe has bolstered its team of experienced experts with the appointments of Graeme Murray as Legal and Commercial Director and Glenn Wilson as Chief Technical Officer (CTO).

With a planned £200million investment and to create 400 new jobs, the start-up company is offering an integrated P&A (plug and abandonment) capability from front-end engineering and design to project execution.

Well-Safe Solutions has been set up by non-executive chairmen Alasdair Locke, Mark Patterson and Paul Warwick.

Chief executive officer of Well-Safe Solutions, Phil Milton, said: “We’ve already assembled some of the most experienced people in the industry with the relevant knowledge of subsea wells to create a centre of excellence in P&A. With these new appointments and the strength of our executive, we now have what I believe is one of the strongest, most technically-competent and well-connected management teams in the business.

“Graeme Murray’s legal and commercial expertise and track-record will underpin the roll-out of our differentiated contracting strategy, unique commercial model and innovative funding packages.

“New and enhanced techniques and technologies are key to the plugging and abandonment of subsea wells in a safe and cost-effective manner. As CTO, Glenn Wilson brings a wealth of engineering expertise and a proven track-record in decommissioning P&A programme management and delivery.”

“We will continue to invest in people and look to acquire assets to build a market-leading decommissioning company for the future, capable of taking on any P&A operation.”

Joining Well-Safe from Dolphin Drilling, where he was managing director, Mr Murray has over 27 years’ legal and commercial experience in oil and gas. He was previously general counsel, company secretary and vice-president for commercial and procurement with Subsea 7.

Mr Wilson joins Well-Safe from Repsol Sinopec where he was decommissioning programme manager. Prior to that he was decommissioning and UK operations manager for Hess Limited in Aberdeen during which time they undertook the largest UK based subsea P&A campaign to date. With over 30 years’ E&P experience in oil and gas asset life cycle management, Mr Wilson has held various senior roles, on and offshore for Hess, JP Kenny and Coflexip Stena Offshore.

Well-Safe Solutions has been set up to capitalise on the current opportunity for decommissioning which has come about through more compelling economics and market dynamics, including the number of shut-in wells, more incentives to tackle decommissioning and lower asset and day rates.

Well-Safe Solutions will work closely with operators and industry bodies while navigating the complex regulatory process, driving change, transparency and ensuring tax efficiency.

A major new entrant to North Sea decommissioning, launched last week, has made its first acquisition.

Well-Safe Solutions, a specialist well abandonment company, has acquired Intervention Project Management (IPM) for an undisclosed sum.

IPM’s founder and managing director, Phil Milton, has been appointed chief executive officer of Well-Safe Solutions which has been set up to capitalise on the significant decommissioning opportunity in the North Sea by providing a ground-breaking approach to the safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of subsea wells.

Formed in 2007, IPM provides independent engineering, project management and consultancy services to the global oil and gas industry. Specialising in well intervention, including plug and abandonment, and production optimisation, IPM has worked with an impressive portfolio of clients including CNR International, TAQA Bratani, Repsol-Sinopec ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Halliburton and Schlumberger.

Well-Safe Solutions, which aims to attract £200million in investment and create 400 new jobs, offers a specialist well abandonment service that will allow operators to meet the challenges and regulatory imperatives around decommissioning.

Set up by Mark Patterson, Alasdair Locke and Paul Warwick, Well-Safe Solutions will combine a wealth of subsea oil and gas expertise and experience with dedicated assets and equipment, to become the first-of-its-kind tier one company with a complete P&A capability from front-end engineering and design to project execution.

Mr Patterson, said: “The acquisition of IPM gives us an excellent foundation on which to build our P&A focused business. More importantly, with the appointment of Phil Milton to head up our wealth of P&A expertise and experience, we are firmly on-track to establishing our authority and credibility in the market.”

With over 26 years’ experience in well engineering in the global oil and gas industry, Mr Milton has a track-record in P&A and in start-up companies. His extensive technical knowledge is underpinned by his credentials in the safe and efficient delivery of well services, workovers and well abandonment operations in the North Sea and beyond for CNR, Shell, BP, BG and Conoco. This includes work on the Murchison P&A project and the Hutton TLP abandonment project.

In forming IPM, Mr Milton initially focused on supplying high calibre well engineering personnel to operators and the service sector. The self-funded start-up quickly grew to become a respected and trusted provider of well engineering support and project management in the North Sea, West Coast of Africa and Australia. The company now offers a fully integrated P&A service with differentiated contract models and the use of new enhanced techniques and technology.

Mr Milton said: “The shift towards prioritising decommissioning activity, along with the number of shut-in wells, more incentives and current lower costs, makes P&A activity much more attractive. It’s the right time for Well-Safe to enter the market with a very compelling proposition that will deliver the complete package of collaboration, efficiency, safety and savings.

“I’m really excited to be joining the business at the out-set and bringing IPM’s experience to the development of an approach that will provide operators with the best and most cost-effective solution for their decommissioning liabilities and will offer UK plc a model that positions us as an exemplar for P&A activity around the world.”

Well-Safe Solutions will provide a one-stop-shop approach within a fragmented market by becoming the focal point for operators, handling all aspects of planning, logistics and execution though one contract. By combining competitive asset day rates with long-term service and support contracts at a fixed day rate, Well-Safe will offer higher efficiency and utilisation at lower cost.

The company will acquire high quality assets to carry out well abandonment work, including a semi-submersible rig, jack-up rig and light-weight intervention vessel. These will then be used and mobilised exclusively for P&A activity, providing certainty over availability and therefore long-term commitments for customers with full control over scheduling of well P&A campaigns.

Corporate finance advisers to the energy sector, Simmons & Co, is acting for Well-Safe. Managing director of Simmons & Co, Mike Beveridge, commented: “The launch of Well-Safe Solutions is great news for Aberdeen and the UKCS. The basin evolves continuously and new business models are always necessary to address changing market dynamics. Well-Safe has foreseen the emerging trends in well decommissioning and has built a business dedicated to servicing the new needs of operators.

“The company can quickly become established as a centre of excellence for well abandonment and emerge as an important new employer in the North East. There’s a huge well stock in the North Sea that needs this know-how and experience to decommission wells safely and efficiently. I would expect Well-Safe to take this model to other well decommissioning programmes worldwide – further strengthening the UK’s position as a proving ground for new ideas and business practices which can be adopted elsewhere around the globe.”

Well-Safe Solutions, set up by a group of oil industry stalwarts – including Alasdair Locke, Mark Patterson, and Paul Warwick – will provide a ground-breaking approach to the safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of subsea wells.

The start-up company, which aims to attract £200million in investment and create 400 new jobs, will offer a specialist well abandonment service that allows operators to meet the challenges and regulatory imperatives around decommissioning, while significantly reducing costs.

Well-Safe has secured funding from Scottish Enterprise, including investment from the Scottish Investment Bank and a regional selective assistance grant, in addition to the initial private funding provided by the major shareholders, which will enable the company to invest in assets and create jobs.

Bringing together a wealth of subsea oil and gas expertise and experience with dedicated marine assets and equipment, Well-Safe will be the first-of-its-kind tier one company with a complete P&A (plug and abandonment) capability from front-end engineering and design to project execution.

Executive Director, Mark Patterson, explained: “The liability for late life, non-producing assets remains with the operator. This liability can be reduced via well P&A operations, but the timing on the decision to make these wells safe is heavily influenced by cost and the need for a new approach, working hand-in-hand with major operators.
“The market dynamics in oil and gas have changed significantly. Before the collapse in oil price, operators were focused on maximising production, costs were very high and assets scarce and, with no real regulatory imperative, decommissioning was pushed back. Cost and safety are still paramount but operators are now having to face up to the well abandonment challenge. They need to prioritise decommissioning activity and, with an increasing stock of “shut-in” wells, more incentives, low asset utilisation and therefore lower rates, the economics for P&A have become more compelling.”

Well-Safe aims to capitalise on this opportunity by offering an innovative funding model through a campaign-based approach that will enable sharing of knowledge across operating companies. Through a differentiated contracting strategy that will leverage economies of scale and challenge the “norm”, Well-Safe will manage projects efficiently and safely, while delivering clear savings.

Within a highly fragmented market, the new-start company will take away the need for contracts with multiple service providers and instead offer a “one-stop-shop” for operators’ P&A requirements.

“As the focal point of contact for the operator, we will take care of the planning, logistics and execution through our experienced personnel and our dedicated rigs or vessels via one, single contract,” explained Mr Patterson. “By combining competitive asset day rates with long-term service and support contracts at a fixed day rate, we will be able to offer higher efficiency and utilisation at lower cost.”

Well-Safe is looking to acquire high quality assets to carry out well abandonment work, including a semi-submersible rig, jack-up rig and light-weight intervention vessel.

“As owners of these assets, we can guarantee they will not be diverted to other drilling operations but used and mobilised exclusively for P&A activity. With this certainty over availability, we can secure long-term commitments from operators and have full control over scheduling of long-term well P&A campaigns,” added Mr Patterson

Alasdair Locke, who co-founded Abbot Group in 1992 and served as its chief executive officer is a major investor and will take up the role of non-executive chairman of Well-Safe.

He said: “The industry has been desperately seeking much more cost-efficient ways to tackle late-life activity and I strongly believe Well-Safe’s business model provides the solution. It will however require collaboration from operators and government, but if we think smarter and work hand-in-hand with stakeholders we can revolutionise how we deliver subsea well decommissioning.

“Well-Safe Solutions is committed to providing a world-class offering and has the skills, tools and experience to become the market leaders in this exciting, yet challenging phase of our industry. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to re-engage with the sector at this pivotal time and support Well-Safe achieve what it has set out to do, alongside my fellow shareholders.”

Expenditure on well abandonment in the UK Continental Shelf is forecast to double to £1.1billion in 2017. Around 5,000 wells, of which 1,000 are subsea, require to be decommissioned in the North Sea. Well P&A activity accounts for around 60% of the overall costs associated with decommissioning.

Well-Safe will work closely with operators and industry bodies while navigating the complex regulatory process, driving change, transparency and ensuring tax efficiency.
Mr Patterson added: “We’ve already attracted some of the most experienced people in the industry with the relevant knowledge of subsea wells to create a centre of excellence in P&A. The next step will be to acquire some of the best-in-class drilling rigs, vessels and equipment that will be able to take on any P&A operation.

“This is absolutely the right time for a new entrant to invest in key assets and people to build a market-leading decommissioning company for the future.”

Mr Patterson and Alasdair Lock are the major shareholders. Among the other industry heavy-hitters is Paul Warwick, formerly executive director for Repsol SA, executive vice president for Talisman Energy Inc. and regional president of ConocoPhillips Inc.

Mr Warwick added: “From an operator’s perspective, Well-Safe’s offering will be highly compelling. There is no better time for a new entrant to invest in key assets and people to build a market-leading decommissioning company for the future. Well-Safe is responding to the industry’s needs by delivering a service which is long overdue. With a strong management team and solid investor backing, I am pleased to be supporting a company that has what it takes to solve one of the UK’s biggest industrial challenges.”

Kerry Sharp, Director of the Scottish Investment Bank from Scottish Enterprise, said: “To remain at the forefront of the global oil and gas sector, Scotland has to adopt new approaches and innovation and also be ready to make the most of the new opportunities when they appear. Well Safe is a good example of a company taking advantage of the current decommissioning market opportunity, by adopting new approaches, and it will support another area of growth within the oil and gas sector, with the potential to generate a material number of new jobs and benefit from new international opportunities.”