Having spent most of his 35 year career working offshore in the oil and gas industry, there's little that can surprise Gary Forsyth. Now, as a consultant with Scapa Energy, he's drawing on that experience and expertise to help high-hazard industries better understand and manage their risks...
How long have you been a Consultant at Scapa Energy?
I joined Scapa Energy almost two years ago.
I had worked offshore for 35 years, with the last 15 as an Offshore Installation Manager (OIM), and decided to make a change.
Just before I left the operator I was working for, they completed a Process Safety Leadership audit, which I was heavily involved in. They invited Scapa Energy to support them. I met Bruce Webb and Brian Cousland, who are consultants at Scapa, and I thought what they were doing sounded like really interesting work.
I’d also worked with Graham, who is one of the founders of Scapa Energy, at Talisman Energy. I was also aware of his work at the Health and Safety Executive, so when I left my OIM role, I got in touch with him.
What does your role at Scapa Energy involve?
It’s been very varied so far.
I’ve worked with an operator to deliver an emergency response audit which helps them better understand their readiness to deal with an offshore emergency.
Regulatory compliance is a core focus area, and I worked with an operator to deliver a Safety Case Regulation 5 audit.
Elsewhere, we’re working with a renewable energy firm to audit their main contractor and help establish an annual audit programme based on ISO9001 and ISO45001. I have gained my ISO45001 lead auditor qualification while working at Scapa Energy.
The Offshore Installation Manager is a key position in the offshore organisation, and we are working with operators to build strong selection and development processes for this safety-critical role. Key focus areas are emergency response, process safety and risk assessment.
As part of my work across both oil and gas and renewables sectors, and with a focus on emergency response, I have recently joined the Offshore Energy Emergency Response Training Forum (OEERT). This brings together EPOL, OREEF, Topsides Medical Forum, MCA, UK regulators and industry representatives across the energy sector to discuss and promote best practice in emergency response training
You’ve held several senior roles with operators. Are there risks that are becoming more challenging to manage?
As the oil and gas industry in the North Sea continues through a mature phase towards cessation of production and eventual decommissioning, it has become challenging to attract and retain staff. People are retiring, moving overseas for work or are moving into renewables. This can cause the erosion of knowledge and experience, and if this is not managed effectively, then increased risk can result.
As North Sea assets continue to mature, issues around integrity, maintenance and equipment obsolescence become ever more challenging to manage.
Emergency Response has additional challenges now that internet access and use of social media is commonplace offshore. Securing information and ensuring a swift and efficient onshore incident management team response in an emergency is vital.
You’ve worked on many interesting projects. What are some career highlights?
I was the deputy OIM on Beatrice when the original Re-Power wind turbine demonstrator project was executed, and two 5MW turbines were installed and tied back to the platform. I went on to be Field OIM during the installation of the Jacky platform and tie-back to Beatrice.
I was OIM on Buchan Alpha during an extremely complex Safety Case update. I was seconded onshore and worked with experts from the welding institute and industry-leading experts in fracture mechanics and probabilistic failure modelling. I wrote the severe weather action plans for Buchan which allowed an extension of operating life further than expected up to final decommissioning.
During the Montrose Area Redevelopment project, I was OIM when a new bridge-linked platform was installed next to Montrose and tied-in to the existing infrastructure. With a bridge-linked flotel at one side of the main platform and a bridge-linked Jack-up at the other side, our peak offshore manning on the project was 752 POB.
I spent my last five years offshore with Apache in the Beryl Field. While there, I was also chair of the company OIM Group, which provided a forum for sharing best practice and continuous improvement.
Throughout my time as OIM, I have always enjoyed working with the emergency response teams and especially with developing OIM’s. I had some excellent mentors during my career, and I have tried to help others with their development.
I hold an L&D9DI SQA qualification and I deliver the Major Emergency Management Initial Response course and OPITO Controlling Emergencies assessment. I really enjoy this work.
You’re currently supporting renewable energy projects. What can you share about those?There are some clear similarities between the regulations and standards for the renewables industry and the oil and gas sector, but there are key differences regarding some major accident hazard activities, which are present in oil and gas but not in renewables.
Taking the example of a floating wind turbine, there are no hydrocarbons being produced, and there are no people living on the structure. The only time the asset is manned is for maintenance or project scopes. There are no helicopter flights to get people to and from the wind turbine, and this is one of the most significant major accident hazards in the oil and gas sector.
The result is that the floating wind turbine hazard profile differs significantly from a production platform. However, floating wind turbines have anchor systems; they are susceptible to vessel collision, and they have high voltage generation systems. There are still significant hazards to be managed.
One of the ongoing discussions between regulators and the renewables sector relates to the nature of the regulatory inspection regime and the degree to which renewables are considered a high-risk industry.
What sparked your initial interest in joining the energy industry?
I served my apprenticeship in Fraserburgh and then went to work at St Fergus, which was very common for people from that area. I then went to work offshore, initially on drill rigs. After 18 months of this, I started with Wood Group on MCP01 then North Alwyn, and I began a development journey which led me through supervisory roles, then deputy OIM and eventually an OIM position.
I wouldn’t really say there was a plan, but I always believed in self-improvement, and I went back to college twice to gain additional qualifications while I was working offshore. I always tried to put myself in a position to take any opportunities for training and development.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
I enjoy learning and am still working on some professional development. I just completed the MCA Offshore Search and Rescue Management course, as this helps me in emergency response auditing, training and assessment. I will be completing an IOS45001 to ISO9001 lead auditor conversion course early in 2026.
My wife and I enjoy travelling and especially love Italy, so we try to get away as often as possible.
I have three grandchildren, and we love spending time with them.