How did you start your journey at Tor Drilling (UK) Limited?
I joined the Blackford Tor Drilling in November 2022 as a Senior Electronic Technician. After about a year offshore, I could see the company starting to grow again, with the acquisition of the PBLJ, the Leader, and the Borgland Tor Drilling returning to work.
I’d started thinking seriously about moving into an onshore role, and when the Electrical Superintendent position came up, it felt like the right opportunity at the right time. With 22 years in the marine and oil and gas industry behind me, I had the knowledge and experience to go for it, and I’m grateful Tor Drilling gave me that opportunity.
How would you describe the company culture?
Tor Drilling is an honest company. While the last few years have brought their share of challenges, there’s a clear sense that we are coming out the other side. The Company continues to prioritise its people and promotes a positive, productive and engaging working environment.
What sets Tor Drilling apart from other companies?
Compared to the larger companies I’ve worked for, Tor Drilling feels more like a family. It’s more personal. You feel as though you matter at Tor Drilling, that you are seen and valued, and you can genuinely make a difference.
How has Tor Drilling adapted to industry changes or challenges over the years?
Tor Drilling has shown resilience through industry shifts and downturns. While many companies have disappeared or been taken over, Tor Drilling has kept going. It’s faced many challenges over the past few years, but luckily, we have three good rigs that are run and maintained by excellent, highly skilled offshore teams and well-supported onshore. It’s that combined effort that’s kept us moving forward.
Proudest achievement?
Stepping into the role of Electrical Superintendent is definitely a highlight.
What company value resonates with you most?
All of the values matter, but Trust stands out the most to me. Building relationships, building that trust and being honest is essential, especially offshore. When you have that trust between colleagues, it makes life a lot easier and less stressful. In a way, when you’re on the rig, you are on your own; you only have the people onboard with you. When you have an issue and you trust the guys around you and they trust you, it allows you all to fix that issue far more effectively than it does without trust. Building that relationship is so important.
Excellence also resonates strongly. I’ve always believed in putting everything into what I do. If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. If you do that the excellence will come through. That mindset drives me, though I haven’t quite reached there with the golf, but I’ll keep trying!
What keeps you motivated?
I genuinely feel like I can make a difference at Tor Drilling. Every day brings a new challenge, whether its assisting the guys offshore keeping the rigs operational or looking at ways to maintain the existing equipment, to finding cost-effective long-term solutions to replacing or upgrading the existing equipment.
I like the planning and challenges that come with it, I’m learning all the time, and that keeps me motivated. The commitment comes from wanting to excel in what I do and the challenge of making Tor Drilling succeed and grow again.
What lessons have you learned during your time at Tor Drilling?
Anything can be fixed, there are no problems, only solutions. When you are surrounded by a strong team, those solutions are easier to find.
Any words of wisdom for new employees starting their journey at Tor Drilling (UK) Limited?
Commit to your job and give it 100%.
How would you like to see the company evolve in the next decade?
I’d love to see Tor Drilling continue to grow—adding to the current fleet and, over time, replacing one or two rigs over the next decade. The company has everything it needs to succeed, and I want to be an integral part of that process.
