Friday 11 July 2003

UKOOA Appoints Operations Director

The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is delighted to announce that it has appointed Paul Dymond MBE, as Operations Director.

Paul Dymond will lead on operational issues, including exploration, brownfields and decommissioning, for the oil and gas industry trade body from 11 August and will be based in Aberdeen. He was formerly General Manager for BP at the Sullom Voe Oil and Gas Terminal in Shetland.

He brings with him 28 years experience in the upstream industry, starting as a Petroleum Engineer with BP before moving into a variety of commercial and public affairs roles within the same company. He was awarded an MBE in the 2002 New Years Honours list for his services to the UK oil and gas industry.

Paul Dymond said: I am delighted to be appointed by UKOOA and eagerly look forward to helping the organisation deliver a new level of support to its members. My career in the UK upstream oil and gas industry has spanned nearly three decades during which time I have seen it develop from infancy into one of the UKs foremost industrial sectors. The industrys contribution to the British economy is huge, not least in terms of the energy supplies, jobs, investment and tax revenues it has provided over the years, and I fully understand the challenges of maturity it now faces.

UKOOA has recently undergone a major reorganisation in recognition of the rapid changes now taking place in the industry. The association has re-positioned itself in preparation for the next phase of the North Seas life where new technological and commercial approaches will increasingly be used to explore for and develop the UKs remaining oil and gas reserves.

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Steve Harris, Acting Director General, added, Recruiting someone of Pauls experience and standing in the industry is a great boost for UKOOA. It demonstrates clearly that people see the changes we are making as relevant and exciting.

Exploration is a key focus for both us and government at present and Pauls timely arrival will allow us to focus our contribution to those debates.

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Note to Editors

The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for companies licensed by the British Government to explore for and produce hydrocarbons in UK waters. It has 28 members.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.