Search begins for CEO of new Oil & Gas Regulator (UK)

The formal recruitment process for a Chief Executive to the new Oil and Gas Authority North Sea regulator in the UK has begun.

Edward Davey MP commissioned Sir Ian Wood to lead a review of the UK’s offshore oil and gas production because, while investment levels are rising and near-term prospects are strong, there are new challenges for exploration and production, and the operating environment is very different to when production peaked approximately 15 years ago.

Sir Ian’s review reported on 24 February 2014 and one of his key recommendations was that stewardship of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) should be under a new arm’s length body, funded by industry and better resourced. Government has accepted Sir Ian’s recommendations and are in the process of establishing this new body which will be called the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).

Critical to the success of the OGA will be the appointment of a top quality Chief Executive and to achieve this the Government have appointed Odgers Berndtson recruitment agency to lead the search for an experienced, respected and inspiring leader to take the new body forward and deliver the change required. The job advert for the Chief Executive post has been released today, the deadline for applications is 15 July 2014.

The CEO of the new body will be at the forefront of the future of the UK’s oil and gas industry. They will be vital in shaping the OGA, its structure, its culture and how it interacts with industry and wider government, and following the establishment of the body they will lead the stewardship of the UKCS ensuring the UK extracts maximum economic value from our oil and gas resources.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury the Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP last week announced the name for the new industry regulator – the Oil and Gas Authority – and confirmed Aberdeen as its headquarters. The Oil and Gas Authority will be designed to encourage economic production in the UK and provide sustainable long term support for the industry.