What On Earth!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore what net zero means to young engineers working in the industry today. I’m joined by Ella Booth and Craig Shepherd , both consultant engineers at Apollo, to talk about how they see net zero — not just as professionals in the sector, but as part of a generation that will live with the consequences of the transition. Our conversation goes beyond the techni...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What On Earth! , we dive into what we really mean by the term  “built environment” and why transforming it is essential to achieving a net zero world. Our guest, Paul Weston of Box Twenty , breaks down the regulatory landscape shaping the sector and explains how government policy is accelerating improvements in building performance and sustainability. We explore...

Send us Fan Mail Energy Transition 101 – In this episode, we cut through the noise and take a clear-eyed look at what a coherent , apolitical energy transition really involves. Joining us are three experts from Apollo at the frontlines of decarbonisation: ·        Phil Westmorland , Director of Decarbonisation ·        Nigel Robinson , Director of Marine Energies ·        Calum Westland , Head of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What On Earth! , we’re joined by Ross Fairley , Senior Partner at Burges & Salmon , who brings over 30 years of experience in renewable energy projects to the table. We dig into what project success really looks like — and what it takes to get there. From assembling the right team to securing Final Investment Decision (FID), Ross shares hard-earned insights...

Send us Fan Mail Something a bit different for What On Earth! We were delighted to recently record a live podcast at a SPARC event at Pembrokeshire College, West Wales. The event saw over 150 female STEM students from around Pembrokeshire come together at the college for a STEM focussed day led by the What On Earth! podcast which saw our own Michelle Hitches chair a panel event with Louise McDonne...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk to Donna Sutherland from Veri Energy about the challenges and opportunities facing oil and gas. Our focus is on Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) in the Shetland Isles and the opportunity its unique proximity to legacy oil and gas infrastructure, water and renewable electricity will enable a genesis of the site in the net zero world. However there are challenges! W...

Send us Fan Mail With a bow wave of renewable energy projects either in, or about to enter the planning and consenting process we ask the question of whether the present system is appropriate and robust for the net zero opportunity.  Jonathan and Phil speak with Jadine Berry and Owen Francis from Turley and explore the current system with a net zero lens. What route do projects take through the pl...

Send us Fan Mail In the first edition of What On Earth! Phil and Jonathan chatted with Chris McMahon of Bristol University on the challenges of sustainability and a circular economy from an engineering perspective . Can we engineer ourselves out of the net zero challenge with continued human ingenuity? Or have we reached the peak of incremental change that has now created complex systems and proce...

Send us Fan Mail Or The Phil Westmorland Interview! Over A Barrel welcomes our new co-host Phil Westmorland. In this episode we understand what makes Phil tick;  his background and work at Apollo. We explore what shaped him growing up on a chicken farm and draw parallels from these experiences to his work today as Apollo's Decarbonisation Director. This will be the last episode under the Over...

Send us Fan Mail A slightly different tack in this episode where Jonathan sends us a “postcard” from FOW2023 in Aberdeen, the exhibition and conference dedicated to floating offshore wind. Hot on the heels of that iconic gathering of Offshore Europe, Jonathan attempts to unpick the challenges and opportunities ahead for the industry. He speaks to government, developers and supply chain to understa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat to the former head of the North Sea Transition Authority,  Andy Samuel .  Andy gives us his now unfettered view from the coastal hills of Devon. We explore what seem some of the insurmountable challenges to the sector and with Andy’s insight and knowledge from his period at the NSTA provides us some hope and direction for the energy industry. Topics such as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Stuart and Jonathan talk with Sian Lloyd Rees, UK Managing Director for Mainstream Renewable Power . The discussion explores the challenges and opportunities facing the offshore wind industry and how Sian’s previous experience in oil and gas and software is helping her shape her approach for the sector. UK wide opportunities are explored along with potential skill...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan chats with Simon Cheeseman , Sector Lead at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult about the activity and opportunities in the emerging floating offshore wind (FLOW) market in the UK.  After ScotWind the Celtic Sea offers the potential of 24GW of capacity to be leased by The Crown Estate, starting this year.  The parallels between the floating oil and gas...

Send us Fan Mail In this rather grandly titled episode Jonathan White is joined by Mike Tholen Acting CEO of OEUK to explore the economic and political uncertainties facing the UKs energy supply this winter and beyond. We cover wide ranging topics such as offshore renewable energy, shale gas along with traditional hydrocarbons and whether hydrogen is the silver bullet we are all looking for. Gover...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we attempt to understand the dynamics facing the energy industry in particular the tension between oil and gas and sustainable energy which became very apparent during  COP26. We explore the various market challenges facing companies in the supply chain especially those present in oil and gas and attempting to pivot to new market areas.  Market forces are explored...

Send us Fan Mail As we embark on 2022, Over A Barrel took the opportunity to talk to Mike Beveridge (Vice-Chair Piper Sandler) to get his reflections on 2021 and what we can look forward to in 2022. Mike, Stuart and Jonathan discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the traditional oil and gas industry and the dynamics of the energy transition. Covering topics ranging from government policy,...

Send us Fan Mail Any industry is nothing unless the next generation of talent is attracted and excited by its future within in it. In particular the oil and gas industry is challenged by its image in the energy transition along with its role in that. In this episode we are joined by some of our present young talent from across the industry to talk about what attracted them initially to oil and gas...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we enjoy talking with Mike Tholen, Sustainability Director at OGUK , and one of the architects of the North Sea Transition Deal . Beyond the fuss and hyperbole, we discuss what the North Sea Transition Deal actually is and what it means for the UK’s oil and gas industry. Mike explains the framework that the deal aims to create from the vision of the authors to turn...

Send us Fan Mail Arguably there has been no more challenging time for the oil and gas industry as it grapples with the energy transition and the associated social and political pressures. In this episode we hear from Deirdre Michie CEO at OGUK and Iman Hill the Executive Director at the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers. We discuss the role of industry bodies in helping industry,...

Send us Fan Mail We hear a lot about the hydrogen revolution in the news and media. But what is the truth! In this episode we hear from Tom Baxter , Senior Lecturer at Aberdeen University and Ian Phillips, Development Director at Pale Blue Dot Energy. Enjoy the lively debate around the use of hydrogen as an energy vector and whether it has potential as a centralised source of energy or does it mor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode the Over A Barrel team explore what future lies ahead for traditional oilfield service companies whilst we navigate the energy transition journey to low carbon energy sources. We are joined by Derek Mathieson and Gordon Ballard, with between them over 60 years experience in OFS and both former senior executives with large multinational OFS companies. Issues such as...

Send us Fan Mail Stuart and Jonathan  speak with Myrtle Dawes, Solution Centre Director of OGTC and Greg Herrera, Senior Partner at EV Private Equity about their perspectives on the role of technology to aid us in our energy transition journey. Both are investors in technology and we enjoy their views on the challenges ahead for the oil and gas industry  with the need for viable technology to redu...

Send us Fan Mail Stuart and Jonathan speak with Bill McCall (Principal, McCall & Partners) and Tom Reynolds (CEO Scirocco Energy) about the challenges facing the North Sea oil and gas industry and potential investors in making a profit in todays environmentally and politically charged landscape. Both seasoned practitioners and investors in oil and gas they skillfully impart their knowledge in...

Send us Fan Mail Podcasts hosts Stuart Cochrane (FWBParkBrown) and Jonathan White (Apollo) interview Nigel Robinson (Marine and Offshore Director at Apollo) on the potential of offshore renewable energies as part of the energy transition . Topics covered include the need for ocean energy in the mix, government support, the role for Aberdeen and the opportunities for the next generation of engineer...