Career Ready interns Dominic Chappells and Isla Barrowman completed four-week paid placements, gaining hands-on experience across business, operations, engineering, finance and data analytics. 

Well-Safe Solutions recently welcomed two young people into the business as part of the Career Ready programme, giving them the opportunity to experience the world of work, build confidence and explore potential career paths in the energy industry. 

Career Ready is a national social mobility charity that connects young people aged 15–18 with employers through mentoring, masterclasses, workplace visits and a four-week paid summer internship. 

This year, Well-Safe Solutions hosted Dominic Chappells as a Business & Operations Intern, with a placement focused on Well Engineering, Finance and Data Analytics, and Isla Barrowman as an Operations Intern, gaining insight into operational activity across the business. 

Building confidence through real workplace experience 

For Isla, the internship offered both practical experience and a welcoming introduction to office-based work. 

“I have found the internship very informative and a great opportunity. Not only have I enjoyed the work but I also like the environment, while it is a work place, it is very relaxed and nonjudgemental – one of the things I was afraid of before starting.” 

During her placement, Isla worked on a range of operations-focused tasks, including making a start on a safety case, reviewing the IADC list and refreshing the daily report document to make information easier to read and access. 

“I’ve learnt a great deal about rigs, their workings, and the monumental efforts put in to keep them running. I’ve seen a great deal behind the scenes, having the chance to sit in on meetings, having access to documents, reports, equipment lists and so on.” 

She also had the chance to work with colleagues across operations and other departments, gaining a broader understanding of the people, processes and safety standards that support Well-Safe Solutions’ work. 

“I worked alongside my mentor Arek and the other operational engineers in the department, I also worked with the managers from not only the Well-Safe Defender rig but Guardian and Protector as well. I spoke with people from departments including HR, IT, finance, and well engineering.” 

Arek Wisniewski, Senior Operations Engineer and Isla’s mentor, said supporting her internship was a rewarding experience: 

“It was a rewarding experience to introduce Isla to Well-Safe Solutions as part of the Career Ready programme. Throughout her internship, Isla demonstrated many of the qualities we hope to see in the next generation of professionals in Aberdeen, enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn! 

Over the course of the four-week placement, Isla gained exposure to a broad range of activities that support offshore operations, including safety management, operational reporting, planning processes, asset management, and technical documentation review. 

She also participated in a number of practical learning opportunities, including a mock interview, Well Control and ROV simulator experiences, Working at Height and Confined Space Entry awareness sessions, a visit to the Port of Aberdeen, and a rare opportunity to visit one of our assets, thanks to the Well-Safe Protector team.” 

Dominic’s internship gave him exposure to several areas of the business, including Well Engineering, Finance, Operational Performance and Data Analytics. He said the placement had given him “valuable insight into a professional engineering and business environment”, while helping him understand how different departments work together. 

“The internship gave me valuable insight into a professional engineering and business environment, helping me understand how different departments work together.” 

Mohammed Osman Ali Khan, Junior Operational Performance Analyst and Dominic’s mentor for the internship, said: 

“Dominic was an excellent addition to the team throughout his four-week placement. He embraced every opportunity, from Well Engineering and Finance to Operational Performance & Data Analytics, showing great curiosity, confidence, and professionalism. He consistently asked insightful questions, quickly grasped new concepts, researched on cement alternative for well barriers, built his own Power BI dashboard, and delivered an outstanding final presentation.” 

During the placement, Dominic worked on a project researching “potential alternatives to cement for well abandonment”, created a Power BI dashboard, and presented his findings to colleagues at the end of the internship.  

“His enthusiasm for learning and strong communication skills made a lasting impression on everyone he worked with.” 

Investing in future talent 

For Well-Safe Solutions, supporting Career Ready is part of a wider commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people and helping them take their first steps into the workplace. 

Haley Robertson, HR Business Partner, said: 

“Providing internship opportunities is an important way for us to invest in the next generation of talent. Through Career Ready, young people are given the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand, develop practical skills, build confidence, and explore potential career paths. 

Isla and Dominic made a fantastic contribution during their time with us, demonstrating enthusiasm, professionalism, and a genuine willingness to learn. It has been rewarding to see their confidence grow over the course of their placement, and we hope the experience has given them a strong foundation for their future. 

We are proud to work with Career Ready and help create meaningful opportunities for young people to gain insight, experience, and inspiration as they consider the next steps in their education and careers.” 

A future in energy 

For Isla, the experience has helped shape her understanding of what work in the energy sector can offer. 

“I have already secured a placement with an energy company – with a job interview at the end. I believe that after my further education it is entirely possible I could work in the industry.” 

Asked whether she would recommend the internship to others, Isla said: 

“I would, as it provides a great deal of skills that you can’t develop in a classroom. While the first week or two was nerve wracking, the experience and knowledge I have gained are priceless. The knowledge and skills I have developed will help me greatly in my career path and have set me up for the workplace, correcting my expectations of both the oil and gas sector and office work.” 

Dominic was also positive about the experience, saying he would recommend the internship because it provides “hands-on experience, exposure to industry professionals, and the chance to develop both technical and professional skills in a supportive environment.” 

By hosting Dominic and Isla, Well-Safe Solutions has helped provide real workplace experience, practical learning and industry insight to the Energy sector’s next generation. 

Stephen Salter has joined Well-Safe Solutions as Project Director, where he will lead delivery of the Apache Beryl and Forties contract. 

Specialising in decommissioning, asset management and operational improvement, Stephen brings a wealth of industry experience and delivery expertise to the role. 

His appointment strengthens Well-Safe Solutions project leadership as the company continues to deliver increasing well lifecycle scopes for its clients. 

With over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, internationally and the UK, starting as a Field Engineer, then drilling engineer. Stephen has worked for companies including Petro-Canada, Talisman, Shell & DONG, then worked for over a decade at TAQA. Initially in drilling, then production management roles, he then took on general management responsibilities as Asset Manager for the Northern North Sea region. 

Prior to joining Well-Safe Solutions, Stephen was Director – Operating Partner and Decommissioning at Wood where he was accountable for managing and growing offshore Duty holder contracts and a range of Decommissioning Projects and advisory services. 

Phil Milton, CEO of Well-Safe Solutions, said: “The award of large-scale contracts – like Apache, has led to a number of new roles that strengthen the business, including a Project Director. With Stephen’s experience of leading decommissioning projects at scale, we have set up an excellent team that further enhances Well-Safe Solutions capability to successfully manage the complexities of full-field decommissioning efficiently, cost effectively and most importantly – safely, for our clients.” 

In his new role, Stephen will manage the multi-year Apache project, including oversight of contracts with Archer and NMC Energy. 

Well-Safe Solutions has been appointed lead contractor for Apache North Sea’s Beryl Field decommissioning project.  

This is the second contract awarded by the oil and natural gas exploration and production company to Well-Safe Solutions this year, with the company also working on the decommissioning of Apache’s Forties Field.  

This additional contract brings the combined scope to more than 260 wells, making it one of the largest well decommissioning contracts awarded in the North Sea to date.  

To support the project, Well-Safe Solutions has contracted platform-based drilling services and specialist technical solutions to Archer, which will provide well services solutions, wireline and coiled tubing, and a Compact Workover Rig.  

Well-Safe Solutions has also awarded a contract to NMC Energy to provide the integration, commissioning and topside decommissioning services. 

This collaborative approach will provide Apache with a fully integrated solution for the decommissioning of the platform and subsea wells in the Forties and Beryl Field.  

Preparatory work is already underway on the subsurface, well engineering and project management scopes for the project, with well operations due to commence offshore on the Beryl Bravo platform wells in the summer. Subsea well decommissioning operations are scheduled to start in 2027, beginning a multi-year programme of work.   

Phil Milton, CEO, Well-Safe Solutions:  

“The additional scope of work awarded by Apache reflects its continued confidence in Well-Safe Solutions as a partner that shares its focus on safe, efficient decommissioning delivery. This planned project highlights Apache’s impressive commitment to comprehensive full-scale decommissioning, on a level that no other operator has yet undertaken. Their proactive approach should be applauded and seen as a model for future decommissioning activity in the North Sea.”  

Donald Martin, VP, Decommissioning, Apache:  

“The addition of the Beryl Field programme marks a significant milestone in Apache’s North Sea decommissioning journey. Together, the Forties and Beryl projects represent one of the largest well decommissioning programmes undertaken in the region and an important next chapter in the legacy of two iconic North Sea assets that have played a major role in the UK’s energy story.  

“Successful delivery of a programme of this scale depends on a strong, integrated team. By bringing together Apache, Well-Safe Solutions, Archer and NMC Energy as one team, we are combining complementary expertise and experience to safely and efficiently execute this complex scope of work. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we progress these projects over the coming years.”  

Well-Safe Solutions has been awarded a new contract to provide full Well Operatorship and asset execution for an un-named client in the UK North Sea, The contract marks a pivotal moment for Well-Safe Solutions in expanding the company’s service offerings – taking advantage of Tier 1 capabilities to provide fully integrated well lifecycle services. 

This is the first Well Operatorship contract awarded to Well-Safe Solutions. This is a logical step for both Well-Safe Solutions and the industry, enabling more efficient well management through fully integrated package offerings – with owned assets, engineering and services from one provider under a single contract. 

The contract scope will see Well-Safe Solutions undertake operations management of the well decommissioning – from planning to execution. This includes initial subsurface analysis and well design engineering, followed by rig, service and support vessel provision. 

The signing represents the fourth major contract awarded to Well-Safe Solutions this year, adding to three other North Sea decommissioning projects.  

This contract award is also positive news for the company’s supply chain partners as well as the wider industry and community – with subcontracting and additional employment expected as part of the project. 

Rig provision will be fulfilled by the Well-Safe Defender, an enhanced pacesetter semi-submersible rig, which will be mobilized to travel to the field, with planned commencement in June 2026. The Well-Safe Defender has capacity for 110 crew and is specifically configured for midwater environments and the technically complex subsurface conditions of the field. The Well-Safe Defender will then mobilize in direct continuation to its next contract in the Northern North Sea. 

Phil Milton, CEO, Well-Safe Solutions:       

“It has always been our plan to position the business to be able to fulfil the role of Well Operator for our customers and we are grateful for the opportunity to do so under this new contract. This contract, and the Well Operator appointment, recognizes our credentials as a cost and schedule efficient partner with an outstanding safety record. With our market-leading assets, technical expertise and project management capabilities, we are ideally positioned to provide full Well Operatorship responsibility in the North Sea.”                                                 

The strategic addition of Operatorship to Well-Safe Solutions portfolio of services comes at a time when the availability of mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) is a growing issue  for the industry as demand significantly increases and capacity has reduced to seven semi-submersibles currently in or near the region – many of which are already committed long-term. Well-Safe Solutions’ integrated services across the full well lifecycle make planning and executing operations simpler, faster, safer and more cost efficient. 

Well-Safe Solutions, the tier-one well decommissioning contractor, is today announcing a multi-year contract with Apache North Sea Limited to decommission its platform wells and subsea wells in the Forties Field.

Work will begin in 2026, with Well-Safe Solutions leading the contract across all well related project management, well and subsurface engineering, and offshore delivery of platform and subsea wells.

The award will support hundreds of jobs in Aberdeen and provide a much-needed boost to the economy in the northeast of Scotland at a time when the sector is facing significant challenges and concerns over wider industry job retention.

Phil Milton, Chief Executive Officer at Well-Safe Solutions, said:
“This award is a defining moment for Well-Safe Solutions and a testament to the confidence Apache has in our team to deliver safe, efficient and technically robust decommissioning solutions at scale.

“This contract award is exciting news for our business and for the wider economy, sending a powerful signal to the supply chain and helping to secure critical talent and resources. Today’s announcement is undoubtably a huge moment for our business and our industry, however, it comes at a particularly difficult time for our sector when we are hopeful of retaining the talent and capability that we have in the North Sea”

The availability of mobile offshore drilling units capable of drilling and decommissioning both platform and subsea wells has been declining significantly year on year, with just five semi-submersible rigs remaining in the UK Continental Shelf. This persistent reduction in capacity risks severely undermining the UK’s ability to meet its energy needs and decommissioning obligations, with thousands of wells due to be decommissioned by the end of the decade.[1]

Donald Martin, Vice President, Decommissioning, Apache, commented:

“We are pleased to partner with Well-Safe Solutions on this large-scale decommissioning programme across the Forties Field. This contract reflects our commitment to delivering safe, predictable and cost-effective decommissioning through disciplined execution and with a high-performing, integrated team.

“Building on decades of successful production from one of the North Sea’s cornerstone assets, Apache is focused on maximising late-life asset value, reducing risk, and delivering a safe, efficient and disciplined transition into decommissioning.”

This most recent contract reinforces Well-Safe’s position as a strategic leader in the UK decommissioning space, following recent successful campaigns with the Well-Safe Defender and Well-Safe Protector, and follows two recent major contract awards for Well-Safe Solutions this summer with other operators in the North Sea.

[1] OEUK Decommissioning Report 2025, November 2025

Well-Safe Solutions (“Well-Safe”) is pleased to announce contract extensions for two of its offshore rig fleet. One North Sea operator has exercised a 180‑day option on its current contract for the Well-Safe Guardian semi-submersible rig. The additional work scope will occur in direct continuation of the existing campaign, extending operations into 2027.

The Well-Safe Guardian will mobilise in March for a now 360‑day continuous campaign. The exercising of this option reflects strong customer confidence in Well-Safe’s performance and reinforces the company’s reputation for safe and efficient well decommissioning delivery.

In addition to this extension, Spirit Energy has exercised its option to complete the abandonment of two subsea wells in the Southern North Sea using the Well-Safe Protector jack-up rig, with mobilisation scheduled for April. This award further demonstrates the growing demand for Well-Safe’s specialist capabilities and will mark the company’s third offshore campaign with Spirit Energy in as many years.

Alongside last summer’s landmark multi-year agreement with EnQuest, these latest commitments strengthen Well-Safe’s position as a leading specialist in well decommissioning and underline the company’s role in supporting the energy transition through safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operations.

Well-Safe Solutions is delighted to announce that Mike Forbes has joined in a newly created role of QHSE Director, strengthening the business ahead of the startup of significant projects in 2026 and in line with Well-Safe’s preparation to be appointed as a UK Well Operator.

Mike brings over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Beginning his career as a structural engineer with Aker Solutions, he later served as Managing Director for Aker Solutions UK during a period of significant growth, then as Global Head of HSE for MOL’s upstream division in Hungary, and subsequently as HSEQ Manager at Fairfield Energy during the Dunlin decommissioning campaign. Most recently, Mike was VP Assurance and Sustainability at PD&MS Group, overseeing key customer contracts along with HSE, quality, and sustainability functions.

Matt Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer says, “The creation of the QHSE Director for Well-Safe is to recognise our role as a 3-level Major Accident Hazard (MAH) contractor across Rig Operations, Well Engineering and Saturation diving.  Managing the responsibility of our business operations demands that Well-Safe are relentlessly proactive in our management of QHSE and this is reflected in Mikes appointment”.

At Well-Safe, Mike will engage with Regulators, Customers and Peers, proactively delivering all our operations with the strongest QHSE culture and supporting the company’s commitment to preventing harm to people, property, and the environment.

Well-Safe Solutions (“Well-Safe”) has been awarded a new contract for the Well-Safe Guardian semisubmersible. Operations are planned to commence in March 2026, and the new fixture has a firm period of 180-days and a 180-day option to be taken in direct continuation.

This latest new contract for Well-Safe comes only weeks after announcing a landmark multi-year deal with EnQuest for UKCS well decommissioning services, also due to commence early 2026. This new contract represents another major milestone for Well-Safe – reinforcing its position as a leading player in the UKCS decommissioning sector.

Well-Safe Solutions has been awarded a landmark multi-year contract by EnQuest. The firm scope, expected to generate revenue in excess of $45 million, will be executed using the Well-Safe Defender and consists of a minimum of 100 days of activity in 2026 and a minimum of 130 days in 2027. The contract also includes options for further activity between 2028 and 2034, creating a multi-year strategic partnership and securing vital supply chain resources in the North Sea well into the next decade.

The award represents a major milestone for Well-Safe Solutions – reinforcing its position as a leading player in the UK decommissioning sector. It also reflects the company’s strategic evolution, including its 1H 2025 shift to offer full well lifecycle services in response to growing demand for integrated, multi-phase campaigns.

Phil Milton, Chief Executive Officer at Well-Safe Solutions, said:

“This contract is a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the consistent performance of our teams. It marks a pivotal moment in our journey and sets the tone for the next phase of our growth.”

While 2025 continues to be a challenging time across the sector, this award marks a significant turning point. The industry is preparing for a forecasted increase in demand from 2026 onward, at a time when the availability of mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) has contracted sharply. With only seven semi-submersibles currently in or near the region – many of which are either committed long-term or stacked – market capacity remains constrained.

“This contract award reflects not only Well-Safe’s technical capabilities but also its ability to respond to market needs with agility,” added Chris Hay, Chief Commercial Officer. “We’re proud to support EnQuest in this critical campaign and look forward to delivering a safe and efficient operation.”

The contract award follows the successful completion of decommissioning campaigns with a number of other UKCS clients with the Well-Safe Defender and Well-Safe Protector, and underscores Well-Safe’s reputation for operational excellence. Since its mobilisation in April 2023, the Well-Safe Defender has consistently delivered top-quartile performance, thanks to the dedication and collaboration of both offshore and onshore teams, with rig uptime remaining in excess of 98%.

Commenting on the contract award, EnQuest’s North Sea Managing Director, Steve Bowyer, said:

“EnQuest is delighted to have chosen Well-Safe Solutions to support the next phase of our Group decommissioning plans. Having completed the plugging and abandonment of more than 35% of all wells decommissioned across the northern and central North Sea over the past three years, EnQuest is proud to be one of the most prolific decommissioning operators in the North Sea, employing innovative technologies and operating techniques to deliver top-quartile decommissioning performance. Accordingly, we look forward to executing the upcoming activity in a safe and efficient manner, alongside the Well-Safe team.”

Global energy transition specialists Well-Safe Solutions have received a further contract extension from Italian energy major Eni Energy Netherlands BV to decommission selected subsea and platform wells across Eni’s portfolio in the Dutch sector of the North Sea.

Eni have recently exercised another 90-day option for the Well-Safe Protector jack-up asset under a newly agreed contract amendment. This work is to be executed in direct continuation with the previously declared option which commenced in November 2024.

Upon the completion of this latest option with Eni, the Well-Safe Protector will move directly onto the Spirit Energy contract announced by Well-Safe Solutions in November 2024.

These multi-operator commitments will see the Well-Safe Protector committed until at least August 2025, with further longer-term options agreed with Eni as part of the newly signed contract amendment.

This amendment offers increased flexibility to Eni, who have the option to green light an additional 120 days of work to decommission platform wells immediately after the Spirit Energy work, along with two further options at 180 days each.

If these options are exercised, they have the potential to keep the Well-Safe Protector committed until Q4 2026 outside the UK Continental Shelf.

With the Well-Safe Protector operational in the North Sea continuously since August 2023, it has already decommissioned 25 wells across Dutch and UK waters to date for Eni, Ithaca Energy and Neptune Energy.

Phil Milton, Chief Executive Officer at Well-Safe Solutions, said: “Well decommissioning continues to account for a considerable amount of the North Sea’s overall decommissioning activity – with a 50% increase in well decommissioning forecast by OEUK last year.[1]

“Operators around the world are looking for specialist well decommissioning providers with a market-leading track record of delivering safe, efficient well decommissioning operations.

“Since the Well-Safe Protector first mobilised in August 2023, it has delivered top-quartile operational uptime – ensuring the learnings from continual well decommissioning activity are reinvested into future work scopes.

“Effective well decommissioning cannot exist without cooperation, and we are looking forward to deepening the partnership we currently enjoy with Eni as we build the foundations of a long-term well decommissioning campaign at this key moment in the North Sea’s development towards a low-carbon future.”

This latest contract announcement continues a period of growth for the business founded in Aberdeen in 2017.

In November 2024, Well-Safe Solutions announced two new contracts totalling $25m USD for approximately 170 days of firm work in the North Sea, using the Well-Safe Protector jack-up and Well-Safe Defender semi-submersible, for Spirit Energy and an additional global operator.

[1] Offshore Energies UK, Decommissioning Report 2024, p.11.