Having moved into oil and gas after a career spanning more than 20 years in the nuclear industry, there can’t be many safer pairs of hands than those belonging to Garry Baxter.
The projects manager for asset integrity specialist XPD8 has recently swapped his post as a maintenance manager at Dounreay nuclear site for one monitoring the condition of offshore oil and gas assets for the Aberdeen-based company.
Both roles have a focus on ensuring the integrity of the respective apparatus in lines of work where any failures in the safety process could have serious consequences.
On top of that, Garry’s hobby is flying planes – so there is little room for error at work or play.
Garry graduated in 1989 as an electrical engineer and started his engineering career working on nuclear power plants for submarines for Rolls-Royce.
The job took him to Caithness on the north coast of Scotland and in 2000, he took on a role with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at the nearby Dounreay nuclear plant.
In June, 48-year-old Garry decided to change his career path and began working with XPD8. Even with the similarities in positions within the two energy industries, there has been a steep learning curve for Garry in making the crossover.
He said: “In terms of working to strict safety regulations and management of hazards, both nuclear and oil and gas are very similar. The main difference is the different equipment and terminology that is used – it has been a bit like learning a whole new language.”
Garry has gone from working in a large corporate organisation to an independent company with a 50-strong workforce.
XPD8 achieves performance improvements and cost reduction for clients through the development of maintenance management systems.
By tracking the age and wear of components, the company can identify the need to replace parts before any failures occur as well as improving reliability and efficiency.
As offshore platforms increasingly reach the end of their expected service life, there is a strong demand for the service provided by XPD8.
Garry said: “It is a lot more straightforward at XPD8. Being a relatively small but dynamic company, they are able to be much more flexible in their approach with quicker decision-making processes than I’m used to.
“With XPD8 operating in an international arena, I’m also looking forward to the opportunities to travel and experience places and cultures I might never otherwise see.
“I have been surprised at the scale of the oil and gas industry. I visited Offshore Europe at the AECC for the first time in September and it is huge.
“As a newcomer to Aberdeen, you don’t realise at first how many oil-related businesses are here, but it just takes a look around the city centre to see there are oil and gas-related offices everywhere.”
Garry and his wife Sandra decided to move south after their three grown-up children left home to further their studies.
He said: “The kids moving out was the trigger. With Dounreay being decommissioned I knew future employment opportunities were limited and oil and gas seemed to be the most natural way to go.
“As well as moving for the jobs that are on offer, we were hoping to go somewhere we could enjoy the lifestyle as well and the Aberdeen area fits the bill.”
Allan Merritt, chairman at XPD8, said the company had a track record in employing people with a background in other industries which could be transferred to oil and gas.
He said: “We are keen to provide employment opportunities and encourage those, like Garry, who have engineering skills and are considering building a new career in a rewarding industry.
“XPD8 aims to ensure people receive all the support required to make that move and it is a plan that is working for both us and our employees.”