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WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER EDITION

OUR CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR’S LETTER

WE TALK A GREAT DEAL about the
GRAHAM BENNETT future of energy; hydrogen, biomethane,
Vice President at DNV GL cars powered by recycled plastic straws.
Graham is responsible But we rarely talk about whether the
for business consumer is ready to make significant
development within changes to the way they heat their homes
DNV GL’s UK & West and power their appliances.
Africa Region. He Switching to low carbon heat is an
has been employed essential element of the UK
by DNV GL for the last 25 years, having government’s plans to tackle carbon
previously served a stint in the aerospace emissions, but without buy-in from consumers these plans are
industry. Since that time, he has been involved already dead in the water. So how can we bring people with us on
in the development and application of risk the decarbonisation journey?
management techniques for a wide range of The third Carbon Connect report in the IGEM-sponsored Future
clients in the oil and gas sector and has led Gas Series sets out the key actions and recommendations for
several incident investigations in the major policymakers working in this area and you can read all about them
hazard industries. in this edition of Gi.
We all know the skills gap poses an existential threat to not only
engineering as a sector but also to infrastructure and economic
CHRIS DUNCAN growth. Gas is especially vulnerable to these shifts as our engineers
Partner at White & Case retire and businesses struggle to replace their expertise. So what
Chris specialises practical measures can the industry take to ensure there is
in non-contentious someone to step into our shoes? In the wake of the 2019 Global
construction law, with Energy Talent Index (GETI), Gi spoke to a panel of experts to
an emphasis on very discuss these challenges and what the industry can do to confront
large construction them head-on.
and infrastructure If you work in procurement, you may be familiar with just how
projects. His experience spans a range of complex this area of business can be. Chris Duncan and David
sectors including power, oil and gas, metals Strickland, Partners at global law firm White & Case, offer the best
and mining, and transport and infrastructure. ways to navigate the procurement high seas and keep your
He has experience of drafting all major engineering projects on course.
kinds of building and engineering contracts And according to DNV GL’s Graham Bennett, by 2050 gas and
including design and build, EPC, construction variable renewables may be the only energy sources in higher
management, consultancy and services demand globally than they are today. Read the findings of the
agreements. He also advises in relation to Energy Transition Outlook report to find out what that means for the
tender documentation and the negotiation of global gas industry.
contracts for major construction projects. All of this is accompanied by a look at the latest gas detection
technology, an overview of our Annual Conference and another
paper from our YPPC final.
DAVID STRICKLAND We hope you enjoy the November edition,
Partner at White & Case
David focuses
exclusively on
construction
transactions, primarily
representing owners SHARON BAKER-HALLAM
in their major projects EDITOR
throughout the US and the rest of the world. BA (HONS) AIGEM
Trained as a civil engineer, David leverages INSTITUTION OF GAS ENGINEERS AND MANAGERS (IGEM)
his deep understanding of the construction
industry to help clients from the conceptual
drawing board through the punch list and TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
beyond. He regularly assists clients in
determining the best project delivery system GOT SOMETHING you want to get off your chest? We’re always
through a deep evaluation of the commercial, happy to hear any comments you might have about Gi. If you have an
technical and legal constraints for each client opinion you want to share with us, email editor@igem.org.uk or write
and their underlying projects. to Editor Sharon Baker-Hallam at IGEM House, 26 & 28 High Street,
Kegworth, Derby DE74 2DA. The best letters and emails we receive
will be featured on this page.

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