Decom North Sea, the membership organisation for the oil and gas decommissioning sector, said it appointed former ConocoPhillips executive John Warrender as its chief executive, starting August 1.
“John brings over 30 years of domestic and international experience to the position,” said Decom North Sea.
“His work with IOCs, NOCs and independent operators includes significant leadership experience in the strategic development of complex decommissioning programmes in the North Sea.
“Most recently an independent advisor to the industry, applying his specific expertise in corporate governance and performance improvement, John spent over 20 years with ConocoPhillips in a range of technical and leadership positions, latterly as General Manager, Upstream Gas Assets in the UKCS, before joining the Board of Repsol Sinopec as MD for Sinopec’s UK subsidiary during a critical transformative phase for that company.
“He also served on the OGA Regional Development and Infrastructure Board and is currently a member of the Asset Stewardship Task Force.”
Warrender said: “My experience within the decommissioning sector, coupled with a track record in strategy development and performance management, government and stakeholder relations, and board governance, give me a strong sense of the role Decom North Sea must play in the future of the industry.
“As such, I look forward to commencing my role as chief executive next month, working with our members and strategic partners to achieve our objectives.”
Nigel Lees, chairman of Decom North Sea’s board of directors, said: “An influential link between the oil and gas community, industry regulators, government entities and other industry bodies, John is a true integrator – and only through a joined-up approach can we hope to realise our collective ambition to reduce the cost of decommissioning in the North Sea.
“Using his considerable experience in performance management and board governance — together with a critical understanding of the requirements of a prominent industry trade association — John has the ability to ensure Decom North Sea meets the diverse needs of our members, whilst enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders and the wider energy industry.
“In doing so, we can create a class-leading supply chain which can benefit from export opportunities to other basins.”