Sir Ian Wood has told oil bosses that the industry needs a “superman” to come forward and lead the new regulator which will govern the North Sea.
The UK Government has agreed to set up a new arm’s length body to lead the industry through the sweeping changes set out by the industry veteran in his review of the UK Continental Shelf.
It will focus on securing the maximum amount of economically recoverable oil from UK waters – and also spearhead a new era of collaboration between government, the Treasury and the energy sector.
Unlike the existing body – the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) – Sir Ian wants the new regulator to be given additional powers to ensure that all licence holders act in a way that is consistent with maximising recovery.
That includes increased collaboration between companies, particularly around access to infrastructure, and improved data sharing.
Addressing more than 700 oil and gas leaders at a breakfast in Aberdeen yesterday, Sir Ian said a chief executive for the new group would be appointed in the summer to help shape its formation. He said that person will need a huge number of skills – and even joked that super-hero qualities may be required.
“It’s a challenging task,” he said.
“It requires someone who can win the confidence of the clients, achieve consensus, bring people with them, build a good management team – all the things you are looking for in a really good chief executive.
“They (DECC) will appoint a chief executive upfront, and then look for a chairman with complimentary skills and experience.”
Sir Ian also said yesterday that he wants that body to be as independent as possible from government.
This is partly to allow the body to offer the kind of remuneration required to attract a top industry player for the top job.
Oil and Gas UK chief executive Malcolm Webb agreed with Sir Ian on the calibre of candidate required by the new body.
“It’s a big job and it demands a big person. It needs someone with credibility in the industry, they’ve got to have a good, strong track record,” he said.
“This has to be an industry person. They’ve got to have the experience and enough tread left in their tyres.
“It will be a fantastic job for somebody.”