Tuesday 27 March 2007

Oil & Gas UK Appoints New Communications Director

The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), the representative organisation for UK offshore oil and gas producers, has appointed Trisha O'Reilly as its new director of communications.

Her appointment follows the resignation of the current communications director Steve Harris who leaves the Association on April 19 and will join Shell Exploration & Production, Europe in early May.

Trisha O'Reilly joined UKOOA in 1998 to establish a new media relations function within the organisation, having previously worked with the London Docklands Development Corporation for eight years, latterly as its senior press officer.  Since then she has been providing media relations support not just for UKOOA's lobbying activities on behalf of the UK offshore oil and gas industry but also for the Industry Leadership Team and PILOT, the joint government industry forum.

"I'm delighted to be taking up the post of communications director with UKOOA at such a critical time in our industry's history," she said. 

"The UK offshore oil and gas industry is one of the country's most important industrial sectors.   It supplies nearly 75% of our primary energy needs, provides employment for nearly half a million people across the UK and this year will give nearly £10 billion to the Exchequer. The UK is not only a major oil and gas producer but is also a global centre for oilfield expertise, goods and services. 

"But with just under half of the UK's estimated oil and gas reserves still to be recovered, strong competitive pressure, mounting costs and the increasingly technological complexities of the mature North Sea basin mean that the industry must fight to sustain investment in new exploration and development. 

"It will be my team's job to help protect the industry's long-term health in the UK by representing our members' views and interests to Government, regulators, the media and other key stakeholders, and I welcome the challenge." 

Malcolm Webb, Chief Executive of UKOOA, commented, "Trisha OReilly is a key member of the team at UKOOA and I am delighted that she has agreed to be our new Communications Director.  The industry and the organisation face challenging times.  Trisha is a first rate professional and has the right experience and attitude for the job."

Trisha O'Reilly, who will be based in London, will head a team of eight located in Aberdeen and London.

Notes to Editors

• A photograph of Trisha OReilly is available on request.  Call 0207 802 2400.
• The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for oil and gas companies licensed by the UK government to explore for and produce hydrocarbons offshore around the British Isles.  It has 41 members

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.