UK: OGA chooses new MER task force leaders

UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has named the Maximizing Economic Recovery (MER) Task Force chairmen.

The OGA announced the appointments ahead of the first MER UK Forum in 2018 in Aberdeen.

The organization said that the new taskforce chairmen would continue to drive change to build a globally competitive UK oil and gas industry.

First of the three appointments was Bill Dunnett, managing director of Repsol Sinopec, who took up the chairman position of the Technology Leadership Board, taking over from Paul White, managing director of Baker Hughes GE.

Nick Terrell, managing director of Azinor Catalyst, became the new chairman of the Exploration Task Force, succeeding Phil Kirk, CEO at Chrysaor.

Jon Graham, managing director and vice president of Apache North Sea, will chair the Asset Stewardship Task Force, superseding Ray Riddoch, managing director of Nexen.

As for the MER UK Forum, it brings together government, industry, and the OGA with the objective of maximizing the economic recovery of the UK’s resources. The Forum was attended by the newly-appointed Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry.

As part of the Forum, the new chairpersons will sit on the MER UK Steering Group, overseeing six task forces working on technology, exploration, asset stewardship, decommissioning, efficiency, and supply chain and exports.

Regarding his appointment, Dunnett said: “I am delighted to chair the Technology Leadership Board and look forward to working closely with the MER UK Steering Group to create a differentiator for the North Sea industry and to address some long-standing technological opportunities.”

Terrell added: “As the industry starts to recover from the recent downturn, the continued revitalization of UK exploration is fundamental to the longevity of our world-class basin. I look forward to working with the MER UK Steering Group and all Task Force members to help drive UK exploration activity forward and attract the globally mobile capital that it deserves.”

The chief executive of the Oil and Gas Authority, Andy Samuel, and co-chair of the MER UK Forum and the MER UK Steering Group, said during first steering group meeting of 2018: “The industry has accomplished many positive changes through the recent difficult times, and we have been very fortunate to have the support of talented and experienced leaders in achieving this progress. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those leaving the Task Forces for all their hard work, commitment and service to the industry.

“This year, we are looking forward to drawing on the experience and perspective of our new members as we aim to further strengthen this vital sector and deliver on Vision 2035.”