A conversation with Jon D'Arcy

Jon D’Arcy, who recently joined PDi as Strategic Consultant, has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience over his 34 years in the energy sector. Jon notes that he started his energy career in the wake of the Piper Alpha disaster and that coming to Aberdeen in the final year of the 1980s seemed like ‘complete madness’ to many of his peer group.? But he was fascinated by the technical challenges of the oil and gas world and wanted to be part of a safer future for the industry.

Fast-forward to 2023 and Jon is now working with the PDi team as we evolve and grow our business.? Despite considerable political headwinds and a world still reeling from?several years of unprecedented social and economic upheaval, PDi have seen a year of doubled revenue growth and a return to profit following a period of consolidation and strategic refocusing.? With an enviable track record in decommissioning that will be significantly expanded as we enter our next phase of evolution, our Global Business Development Director, Kirstie Langan, was keen to understand Jon’s take on the decommissioning opportunity for the engineers of now and of the future.

Key Aspects of Decommissioning

'So Jon, you’ve mentioned that early aspects of your career seem to be coming to the fore more frequently these days as clients look to conclude their North Sea operations, what have been your observations and what might you have done differently?

'when I was starting my career, offshore assets were not designed with decommissioning in mind. There was an understanding that these assets would have a temporary lifespan, but the processes of decommissioning was not a focus during the design phase. Furthermore, computers were not really utilised within the industry, and therefore, the process took a larger element of human thinking and traditional engineering by hand'

Given the huge leaps in technology, is there a place for engineering consultancies like ours to play a role that computers can’t at this point then?

‘Absolutely!? I strongly believe that decommissioning of these assets, particularly in these technically ‘formative years’ of decommissioning.. will also take a huge element of that ‘human thinking' that simply cannot be automated. This fact alone puts engineering consultancies, such as PDi, in a strong position, as providers of both advanced analysis and great minds!’

Jon shared his frustration that the technical challenges of decommissioning, from a PR perspective, are sometimes not fully recognised, in favour of a ‘cut and run’ image of a sector that has historically been linked with fast, cheap cuts and removals.?

‘all elements of decommissioning bring challenge and opportunities for fresh approaches.? Naturally wells P&A is an area of great risk and many would argue, greatest importance.? By contrast, I sometimes feel like my own discipline, structural engineering, is viewed as the ‘easy part’.? While there may be an element of truth there, I would say that even the most uncomplicated structural decommissioning challenge can be made infinitely more complex when there is not a load case provided!’

Why PDi?

Reflecting on his first few months as part of PDi, I was keen to understand what was the defining factor when choosing to align with our team and our journey.

‘prior to joining PDi, I was only aware of the very well regarded subsea work done by the team. ?A defining factor in my decision to join PDi was understanding that the leadership team believed they could simultaneously protect and grow the subsea core of the business whilst broadening and diversifying the service offering to fit into a wider market. ?Naturally, with my background, this is where I felt I could really make a contribution’

The PDi way

HOW we do what we do and the culture our team operate within is of massive importance to myself personally as well as the entire leadership team as we look to create more and more opportunities for our brilliant people.? With decades of experience creating and nurturing outstanding cultures within consultancy businesses, I was keen to understand Jon’s observations on what we are doing well, and what we need to focus on improving.?

‘getting to know the team and the business more closely these last few months has been brilliant.? As both an engineer and a ‘people person’ It’s been particularly pleasing to see how the environment within PDi allows opportunities for engineers to take time to have interesting and challenging technical conversations, access support from mentors and progress within the business and their technical journey. I can't stress enough the importance of doing the work to retain this environment in the context of growth, it's what will continue to set PDi apart’

This concept of ‘interesting conversations’ is a big area of focus for me personally as we look at our team, our values, our culture and how we retain the atmosphere that PDi is so well known for.? Nurturing and expanding this community of best practice as we grow the business at pace, and just ensuring that it is just an enjoyable place to be, is a primary objective for myself and my colleagues.? But at this point in our evolution and I suppose specific to decommissioning, when it comes down to it, in your opinion Jon, does it REALLY matter?

‘Kirstie, as you have said many times, the culture within a consultancy is the primary and key USP for the vast majority of prospective hires.? At PDi, there is a really special culture, one I truly hope will continue to flourish. Having an operating rhythm and cultural expectation that time and opportunities will be created to work with, engage with and be challenged by peers and more senior engineers in your own and complimentary disciplines is just SO SO important to ensure these great minds fulfill their potential.? I look forward to playing a genuine role in as many of these conversations as time will allow!? And specific to the decommissioning space…this is where we ‘oldies’ like myelf have a responsibility to pass on knowledge to newer generations’.

That’s great to hear Jon!? But if you had to pinpoint ONE specific element that answers the question, ‘why PDi?’ what would it be?

?'honestly, PDi just struck me as a place and team with truly ambitious technical thinking and an appetite for serious growth. Seeing that growth mindset combined with such robust operating systems, it was clear that’s what allows your engineers to never feel technically ‘stuck in the mud’ and just get on and do great things.? Being part of THIS story, in THAT setting, was just really appealing’.?

And finally, as you approach your 35th year in your engineering career, do you still feel as excited by the opportunities that lie ahead for engineers, and engineering consultancies, in the energy sector?

‘Absolutely! Engineering is flipping exciting. The human brain loves a simple answer and shortcuts, but there are no shortcuts in engineering, so there will always be so much more to do!’