Being Anasuria: Gordon McKechnie, Onshore Operations Team Lead

Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Gordon McKechnie BEng MBA CEng , who has recently assumed the role of Onshore Operations Team Lead. Gordon officially joined us at the beginning of December, and has fitted straight in to our AOC family, embodying our core values and actively contributing his expertise across various facets of the business.?

With a robust background in operations, Gordon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. During our recent conversations, we had the opportunity to delve into his professional journey, gaining insights into his background and his vision for the future of operations at AOC.

Read more about Gordon below.

PROFESSIONAL FIVE

1. Share a brief overview of your career history.?

My career began with Marathon Oil in Aberdeen back in 2001, where I started as a graduate Process Engineer. Over the next 19 years, I gained valuable experience in Operations, Projects, HSE, Business Planning, and Decommissioning. Marathon Oil had a real focus on development, and I was supported in becoming a Chartered Engineer, completing a distance learning MBA degree, and a NEBOSH general certificate in Occupation Health and Safety. Whilst there I also spent 3 years working offshore in the Brae field during which I had some real career highlights, including delivering first Oil from the Enoch subsea tie-back to Brae Alpha. After a brief spell at RockRose Energy, I worked for 3 years as Project Manager on Decommissioning projects at TAQA.

2. How has your first couple of months at AOC been?

The first couple of months have been great. I have enjoyed getting to know the onshore and offshore teams and learning about the Anasuria Asset. I have been particularly impressed with the positive culture, and energy, and the enthusiasm displayed by all.

3. What operational aspects at AOC are you most looking forward to in 2024?

In the upcoming year, my team’s primary focus will revolve around maintaining the exceptional safety record of the Anasuria FPSO, whilst continuing to support the asset in achieving operational efficiency and production targets. Later in the year there is a planned production shutdown, and there will also be an opportunity to support the exciting Teal West development project, marking an exciting milestone for AOC.

4. Which AOC value resonates with you the most, and how does it align with you?

Among AOC's core values, Be Empowered stands out to me; I feel every employee at AOC has been given the opportunity and power to make positive impacts within the business, which is a great place to be.

5. What's your favorite thing about AOC, or what advice would you offer to potential candidates considering joining us?

What I have enjoyed so far, and also what I would say to potential candidates, is that AOC is unique; a relatively new Duty Holder where you can contribute to shape the asset’s future, whilst also being a place where people enjoy their work.

FUN FIVE

6. Tell us more about you?

I was born and raised in the Aberdeen area, apart from a couple of years when I lived and worked in Qatar. I studied Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, with 1 year of my degree spent working in a pharmaceutical plant in Ayrshire. Outside of work I keep busy by running my 3 kids to endless sports and activities, and any free time I have left, I try to get out cycling as I am always training for my next trip to the Alps or Pyrenees.

7. What's the most adventurous thing you have ever done or would like to do?

The most adventurous thing I have done is ski down the Grand Couloir in Courchevel. It is one of the steepest off-piste runs in Europe, scary but enjoyable!

8. What is your favourite holiday destination?

I love Sutherland in the West Highlands of Scotland. There are so many beautiful beaches and hills to explore and it is the perfect place to unwind – I highly recommend it.

9. What's the most unusual hobby or interesting skill you possess that most people wouldn't know about?

I have been known to compete in cycling time trials. I would class this as an unusual hobby, in that you intentionally suffer physical pain in the training and races, and also spend a fortune on clothing and equipment in an attempt to take a few seconds off your personal best!

10. If you could swap lives with any other AOC employee for a day, who would it be and why?

There is no one specific, but I have always found that the offshore team have the best, and most interesting hobbies in their downtime. So I would probably swap with one of them to try spending a day in their shoes!