Oil and gas industry body, the Intervention & Coiled Tubing Association (ICoTA) European Chapter, has appointed a new chair and vice-chair.
Former vice-chair Kelly Murray will take the helm as chair of the organisation, becoming the first women to do so in the chapter’s 20-year history, while fellow committee member Andrew Louden has been appointed as the new vice-chair.
Mrs Murray becomes chair after spending five years as an ICoTA committee member where she has played a pivotal role increasing awareness of the organisation within the industry and the wider community. Most notably she has played a vital role in organising the SPE ICoTA Junior Energy Apprentice competition aimed at encouraging school pupils to think about a career in the oil and gas industry.
Both appointments were announced at the ICoTA European Chapter’s annual dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen, attended by more than 300 leading figures from the region’s intervention and coiled tubing industry.
Currently UK intervention solutions manager at Halliburton, Mrs Murray was previously the chief operating officer at Red Spider before it was bought over by the American oil giant.
Mrs Murray started her career in the industry with Baker Hughes and spent the majority of those nine years in the well intervention group.
Mr Louden is currently the UK managing director of Interwell and has been a member of ICoTA Europe committee for three years
With nearly 25 years experience in the well intervention sector Mr Louden started his career with Marathon Oil before taking on a number of roles at Schlumberger and Helix RDS. Under his leadership Interwell has grown from a head count of just four in the UK to more than 40.
Commenting on her appointment, Mrs Murray said: “I am delighted to take on this new role as chairman and become the first woman chair. ICoTA is key in providing a global network of professionals, engineers and technical experts across all well intervention disciplines, offering a vital platform through which to exchange practical knowledge and share innovative ideas and products.”
“ICoTA is 20 this year. I want as chairman to continue the momentum of previous committees to ensure we can attract the new breed of engineers, which the industry needs both now and for the future. The adoption of new technologies and more collaborative ways of working will help to secure the ever-changing North Sea landscape going forward. ICoTA is pivotal in sharing this information and learning across all of the wells’ disciplines.
“I would also like to thank Michael Taggart for his excellent leadership and contribution to ICoTA through 2013. Membership has increased and the organisation continues to be recognised as an established and specialised networking forum for all well intervention activities, both by service providers and oil companies alike.”
Mr Louden added: “I am pleased to have been chosen as vice-chairman of ICoTA Europe. I want to help the organisation build on what it does best, ensuring we continue to offer the excellent opportunities for knowledge sharing and innovation that are recognised across the industry.”
