North Sea Chapter

DRILLMAR RESOURCES ANNOUNCE CEO APPOINTMENT

Global energy recruitment specialist Drillmar Resources has today announced the appointment of Kenny Watt as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Kenny has held a range of senior executive roles in the energy sector in Aberdeen, Dubai and Houston. With regional and latterly global remits, he has a developed and led multi-disciplined teams with an emphasis on strategy and growth.

Returning to the business after holding the role an interim basis, Drillmar Resources will benefit from his diverse sector knowledge and skillset in implementing their own growth strategy, as they seek to expand their service offering to existing clients and target new opportunities globally. “I am extremely pleased to return to Drillmar Resources,” said Kenny “it is a real privilege to work with such an experienced and professional group. I would like to thank the Directors and the whole team for such a warm welcome back.”

Commenting on the appointment, Raymond Bruce, Chairman of the Board stated, “I am delighted to welcome Kenny back to Drillmar Resources and look forward to working closely with him as we develop and implement our growth strategy.”

Fennex unveils AI-powered Predictive Safety solution following deployment with Noble Corporation

Fennex, an expert in AI-driven technology, has introduced Predictive Safety, an advanced AI solution that is set to transform safety management and reduce incidents, following a successful initial pilot deployment with Noble Corporation.

Developed in collaboration with data scientists from University College London (UCL) and Robert Gordon University (RGU), Predictive Safety applies AI-driven algorithms to analyse key risk indicators, such as observations and reports. This enables organisations to anticipate hazards and take preventative action before incidents occur.

Deployed across Noble Corporation’s global offshore fleet, the technology has demonstrated its ability to translate operational data into actionable intelligence, enhancing decision-making, reinforcing safety culture, and driving efficiency improvements.

Adrian Brown, managing director at Fennex, introduced the latest solution alongside Noble Corporation at the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Health, Safety & Environment Conference, in Houston on Thursday, 20 February, 2025. 

He commented: “There can be no compromise on safety, and through our collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry safety experts, we have developed an AI-powered predictive intelligence engine that fully unlocks the potential of safety observation data. 

“By analysing millions of real-world safety observations, we have clearly demonstrated that Predictive Safety is an essential, transformational operational tool.” 

Dustin Stringer, global HSE director at Noble Corporation, added: “Systematically analysing leading safety data, observations, reported risks, and near misses, identifies patterns that were previously undetectable and allows us to drive actions that identify high-risk areas and mitigate hazards before they escalate. The ability to anticipate potential safety issues through AI-driven insights is a game-changer for operational safety.”

AquaTerra Group achieves £3 million revenue from renewable energy contracts

Aberdeenshire headquartered integrated services provider, AquaTerra Group, has reached the significant milestone of £3 million in revenue from renewable energy contracts. The firm has capitalised on the success of its first renewables contract which was completed in 2020, paving the way for several subsequent renewable projects.

The initial project was the hook-up and commissioning of the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore interconnection substation, BorWin3, located approximately 130km off the coast of Germany. AquaTerra designed, supplied and installed its in-house modular suspended access platform QuikDeck, for easy underdeck access, supporting critical path work scopes and reducing project duration which resulted in significant cost savings for the client.

FIS CHEMICALS ACQUIRES IP, STOCK & MANUFACTURING RIGHTS TO BLUE STEEL PRIMER PRODUCT

FIS Chemicals Ltd is delighted to confirm that it has acquired the IP, stock and manufacturing rights for Blue Steel Primer (aka Navy Steel Rust Converter) from D. Adam & Associates, making FIS the sole supplier and manufacturer of this popular product.

A widely-used product among FIS customers in Oil & Gas, Marine and other industries, Blue Steel Primer is an aqueous, dual-acting rust treatment which changes the reactive nature of adherent, residual rust by converting it into a stable, blue/black chemical complex firmly bound to underlying iron and steel treated surfaces — leaving them ready primed.

FIS CHEMICALS APPOINTED BY QUAKER HOUGHTON AS DEDICATED UK NORTH SEA DISTRIBUTOR

Leading international chemicals manufacturer Quaker Houghton has appointed FIS Chemicals Ltd (FIS) as its dedicated distributor for the UK North Sea offshore market.

Effective from 1st June 2024, this agreement will see FIS responsible for the efficient distribution of all offshore products in the Quaker Houghton range, which is well-established and renowned for high performance in the global offshore sector.

Headquartered in Aberdeenshire Scotland — close to the North Sea energy hub of Aberdeen — FIS was originally established in 1980 and has grown its reputation in recent years for its environmentally-conscious service offering, helping client businesses pursue ‘Net Zero’ goals through greener chemical choices.