NSTA 463 - Senior Facilities Engineer

Brief Overview of the role 

Fixed Term 12 Months, 40% office working.  

Working within the Central and Southern Area Team (CSAT) in the Operations Directorate, the role is central to the delivery of the NSTA’s vision for delivering the energy transition and energy security, with a focus on the Central North Sea.

It will involve proactive support and leadership in maximising throughput of Oil & Gas hubs to enable MER, material emissions reduction and support the energy transition e.g. via INTOG. In addition to substantial upstream Oil & Gas experience the key attributes we require for this role are a self-starter, ability to deliver at pace, able to work independently and engage productively with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders. In pursuit of strategic objectives, we would expect the successful candidate to not be afraid to “push against the tide” and routinely use their initiative to overcome obstacles.

In addition to a first degree, or equivalent, in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate technical, leadership, and strategic experience. 

The role encompasses all phases of field life, from predevelopment through to cessation of production, assessing potential new developments and stewarding existing production facilities to ensure that they are developed and operated in line with strategy.  

You will be required to work closely with other team members including Reservoir Engineer, Development Engineer, Development Geologist, Commercial Transaction Manager and Exploration Geoscientist and flexibly across other area teams, to ensure Asset Stewardship and regulatory decisions encompass all relevant input to maximising economic recovery and delivering upon the UK’s net zero ambition.

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

Reporting to the CSAT Area Manager, your key responsibilities will include: 

• Development of hub stewardship plans to support the NSTA strategy.
• Input to development and prioritisation of strategic Area Plans in conjunction with operators
• Discipline specific input areas such as Concept Select Reviews, Field Development Plans, performance evaluations, operating and commissioning strategies.
• Stewardship of a portfolio of operators and licensees maintaining an overview of both the strategy and business plans, including performance management and gap analysis against NSTA's asset stewardship expectations.
• Monitor Joint Ventures across the area to ensure alignment and highlighting to the Commercial Transaction Manager where misalignment exists. 
• Assessment of Operator activity, including capital investment plans; planned shutdowns and turnarounds; facility optimisation, simplification, or renewal plans; and operating cost management.
• Management and delivery of NSTA's regulatory requirements for a portfolio of Operators and Licensees, including the preparation of recommendations for approval of field development plans, cessation of production requests, pipeline works authorisations, production, and flare consents. 
• Leadership and delivery of specific projects and programmes of work, as requested by the Area Managers; commission third party work through consultancies as required.
• The role requires the ability to interface across multiple disciplines and functions both within the NSTA and with external stakeholders, including operator's and licence holder's technical functions. 

Person specification

Competence 1: Decision Making & Judgement 

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 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 the achievement of the net zero targets.

Competence 3: Collaborating, Influencing & Including

Meets challenges with resourcefulness, generate suggestions for improving work and develops innovative approaches and ideas. Proven leadership skills and ability to develop creative, innovative, and strategic thinking to the role and to articulate a vision. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence are essential. Mentor and coach to others; unlocking potential and maximising performance. 

Competence 4: Strategic & Commercial Thinking 

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, whilst also supporting the move to net zero carbon Negotiating and influencing skills are also critical.

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

Essential:

• Degree, or equivalent qualification, in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
• Broad experience within the Exploration & Production (‘E&P’) sector
• Demonstrable results in driving improvements and implementing change.
• Excellent working knowledge of the NSTA Stewardship Strategy and Expectations and how to implement these. 
• Broad experience of how value is created with the E&P value chain.
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal, particularly business case development and management presentation.
• Ability to make recommendations on complex decisions ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to. 
• Well-developed analytical skills and sound judgement to manage varied and sometimes complex issues. 

Desirable:

• Negotiating and influencing skills
• Familiar with UK regulations and guidelines
• International perspective or experience