Decom North Sea unveils new chief executive

Industry organisation Decom North Sea (DNS) has announced the appointment of its new “highly respected” chief executive.

Fraser Moonie takes up his position at the helm of the decommissioning body, headquartered in Westhill on the outskirts of Aberdeen, with immediate effect.

Will Rowley, who has been DNS’ interim managing director for the last year, will support a “smooth transition” before continuing his “long-standing involvement” with the organisation.

© Supplied by Emma Lawson Photography

Mr Moonie brings more than 25 years’ experience to the role, including 15 years with Aberdeen-headquartered Bibby Offshore — which combined with Rever Offshore 2018. At Bibby, he was “instrumental” in growing the company into one of the global subsea industry’s key players.

He previously worked on some of the North Sea’s most high profile decommissioning campaigns, including Coflexip Stena Offshore’s project to re-float Phillips Petroleum’s Maureen platform in 2001.

Coflexip Stena Offshore was acquired by Technip Group, now TechnipFMC, that same year.

Other decommissioning projects he was involved in include ConocoPhillips’ MacCulloch field in 2015 and CNR’s Murchison platform in 2017.

Internationally, Mr Moonie carried out retirement work for Shell Pipeline (Shell Oil US) in the Gulf of Mexico, also in 2017.

In March 2020, it was announced that John Warrender, DNS’ then CEO, had left the organisation after just 20 months in charge.

He was replaced on an interim basis by Mr Rowley, a market analyst with more than 30 years experience, with DNS pledging to hire a full-time chief executive in due course.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Moonie said: “I join Decom North Sea at what continues to be an extraordinary time for society and a challenging time to be in business.

“I believe that the next five years are critical to our industry, and that DNS has a key role to play in facilitating domestic and international success for its members.

“Continuing the sterling work of my predecessor and his board of directors, my aim is to consolidate DNS’ position as a key voice within the decommissioning arena.

“Operator, supply chain and regulator communities share a joint vision to provide safe, cost-effective and environmentally-sound decommissioning as the energy transition accelerates – and DNS exists to provide a vital link between each group, facilitating their joint success.”

Mr Moonie graduated from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction in 2011.

As well as his work in the subsea industry, Mr Moonie is the co-founder of Matilda and Fox, a children’s sensory toy website he set up with his wife, Layla, in November last year.

Named after their two children, the firm recently formed a “special partnership” with north-east charity AberNecessities to provide underprivileged youngsters with the “materials to behave imaginatively”.

Jinda Nelson, chairwoman of DNS’ board of directors, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Fraser to Decom North Sea, knowing that his global decommissioning experience, entrepreneurial spirit and engaging manner make him a perfect candidate to drive the DNS strategy.

“Highly respected and with outstanding, well-documented leadership skills, Fraser’s passion for this industry is clear and we are convinced that he will play an important part in the future of the organisation and wider decom sector.”