NSTA 453 Decommissioning Stewardship Engineer

About Decommissioning & Supply Chain

This directorate is responsible for the NSTA’s activities in support of decommissioning and leading our work with the UK service sector. It is also the Authority’s focal point for engagement on culture change within the industry, working with operating and service sector companies to promote greater collaboration.

The NSTA Decommissioning Team works with industry, through a combination of regulating and influencing, to minimise the cost and emissions impact of decommissioning; and support the repurposing of infrastructure particularly in advancement of energy transition opportunities.

This is done through interacting closely with industry to deliver the post hydrocarbon phase of the life cycle of offshore oil and gas infrastructure, supporting re-use and repurposing where appropriate and delivering cost effective decommissioning as required. The NSTA is a statutory consultee for OPRED on Decommissioning Programmes (DPs) and works closely with other regulatory and industry bodies. They are also the regulator for well decommissioning, which represents almost half of the forecasted decommissioning spend for the UKCS.

Working with industry and stakeholders to identify and deliver a 35% decommissioning cost reduction is a key priority. This is driven by developing industry benchmarks and cost estimates and promoting and influencing change in the way work is planned and delivered.

Brief overview of role

The NSTA decommissioning teams’ role is to ensure that decommissioning is carried out cost effectively in accordance with regulatory requirements consistent with the OGA Strategy which includes assisting the Government with meeting its net zero target and enabling the energy transition.

The decommissioning stewardship engineer role is the primary focal point with UKCS operators during late life operation and decommissioning planning phases. The role consults and interacts closely with a wide range of operators/licensees and has responsibility for understanding and driving operators decommissioning performance improvement and cost efficiencies consistent with the full spectrum of the NSTA decommissioning strategy priorities. A combination of influence and regulatory activities will be undertaken. The role coordinates, monitors and verifies decommissioning plans, decommissioning readiness and regulatory compliance utilising a wide range of tools, including performance metrics, benchmarks and analysis of industry performance and costs. The role will identify “tactical” interventions and performance improvement / cost reduction actions and plans with the operators. The role coordinates all necessary input from other NSTA directorates and spans the full decommissioning work breakdown structure.

The development of a capable UKCS decommissioning supply chain is key to delivery of the objective. The role interfaces closely with the NSTA supply chain team and coordinates necessary input from the supply chain in the process of stewardship.

The role acts as a formal consultee in a number of areas and specifically UKCS Decommissioning Programmes as part of OPREDs regulatory consultation process.

The role will report to the NSTA decommissioning manager who has responsibility for UKCS decommissioning cost stewardship.

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

• Analysing operator decommissioning performance, cost and activity data across the full work breakdown structure to develop insights to support recommendations and decisions in support of achieving sustainable performance improvement and cost efficiency and effective plans to achieve MER UK targets through Late Life operations into Decommissioning.
• Understand operator strengths and weaknesses and agree tailored stewardship engagement plans with decommissioning manager based on materiality and full range of considerations; supporting the operator in defining decommissioning plans consistent with the strategic NSTA decommissioning strategic priorities.
• Understand and support the NSTA’s Measured Escalation Process for operators who do not deliver on their Stewardship and/or Regulatory obligations, with increased focus or engagement (as applicable) in such instances.
• Provide input (via a Consultee role) to the WONS decision-making process to ensure that regulatory obligations are being met in terms of Plugging & Abandonment (P&A) commitments and including these key deliverables – and the milestones to achieve them – as part of the overall Decom Stewardship process to drive operator accountability.
• Review Decommissioning Programmes (DP) as part of the OPRED public consultation process and provide feedback on the DP to the OGA approver based on cost forecast and identifying potential re-use of the assets proposed for decommissioning.
• Assist in preparing and delivering Operator review meetings to review and influence their decommissioning activities; decommissioning plans; cost performance and forecasts; promote collaboration opportunities.
• Regular interaction with the supply chain to identify, understand and support cost-effective decommissioning solutions.
• Support liaison with other regulators to ensure decommissioning is executed in a cost-effective way whilst in line with relevant and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Promote collaboration amongst operators and supply chain to drive cost effective decommissioning.
• Support cost-effective decommissioning through interaction with the decommissioning community, capturing and communicating their learning.

Person specification

Competence 1:          Decision Making & Judgement

Ability to be objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.  An ability to make complex decisions ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to.  Accept responsibility for own actions. Well-developed analytical skills and sound judgement to manage varied and sometimes complex issues. Ability to document rationale behind recommendations and outcome of decisions.                  

Competence 2:          Delivery

Have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; have an aptitude for working on numerous projects simultaneously and the ability to identify and respond to new priorities. Have the ability to maintain an overarching view of the activities of an operator and identify the key areas where effective stewardship will support delivery.

Competence 3:          Collaborating, Influencing & Including

The successful candidate will have a collaborative mindset both working with operators and facilitating collaboration between operators to deliver the Strategy and identify and share best practices across the industry.

Competence 4: Strategic & Commercial Thinking

Maintain an in-depth understanding of how the role supports the organisations objectives.  Have the ability to maintain an overarching view of the activities of an operator and identify the key areas where effective stewardship will facilitate the optimal MER UK outcome. Identify the appropriate steps that will enable the NSTA to achieve the move to net zero carbon by 2050. Negotiating and influencing skills are also important.

Specialist Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, Memberships or Language 

Essential: 

• Significant experience within the Oil and Gas industry with a strong understanding of decommissioning
• Degree qualified Engineering
• Ability to lead small projects
• Excellent communication and organisation skills – written and verbal
• Demonstrable project engineering expertise and understanding of project management and planning processes
• Demonstrable ability of co-ordination and integration of multi-discipline industry personnel and/or groups

Desirable: 

• Demonstrable understanding of the regulatory environment surrounding oil and gas operations and decommissioning
• Understanding of industry business planning and financial processes