Energy Voice – Out Loud

EVOL: CNOOC production, Scottish nukes, and Piper Alpha book

This week CNOOC revealed production figures for its UK assets in a document that painted a "gloomy" picture of the operator's future in the North Sea, according to one analyst.
In this episode of Energy Voice Out Loud, Aberdeen features lead Ryan Duff is joined in the studio by news editor Erikka Askeland and reporter Mat Perry.
Up first, Mat runs through CNOOC's production figures which explained why the Chinese operator decided to not electrify offshore operations through the Green Volt floating wind farm. Could CNOOC be looking to sell up? Even if it were, who's buying?
Next, Erikka discusses nuclear sites in Scotland after the UK government produced a report listing the best sites for the energy source. Although, the Scottish government is still firmly against new nuclear power north of the border as the country's last power plant is set to shut down by the end of the decade.
Finally, Ryan tells us about Shane Gorman's latest book. The son of David Gorman, a safety office who died during the Piper Alpha disaster 38 years ago, has written a book about how the North Sea's darkest day has shaped his life. Published on the anniversary of the last day Shane saw his father, the book was launched on Thursday 2 July. For those wishing to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the Piper Alpha disaster, a service will be held on Monday 6 July at 1300 in the North Sea Memorial Gardens at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen.
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Energy Voice Out Loud brings you news, analysis and expert insight from across the energy sector, covering oil and gas, renewables, policy, investment, the energy transition and the people shaping the industry.

EVOL - W:NE 2026

This week Women in New Energy returned to Aberdeen for the fourth consecutive year. The event hosted a range of conversations regarding the importance of diversity in the energy industry and was kicked off by a keynote speech by Renewable UK's recently appointed CEO Tara Singh.
But, before she could head to Aberdeen, the Renewable UK boss was in Manchester for her organisation's Global Offshore Wind event, where news reporter Mat Perry caught up with her. 
Back to W:NE, Aberdeen Features lead Ryan Duff spoke with Heather Hutcheon from Pinsent Masons about AI in the energy sector after she appeared on the show's opening panel.  Heather explained how governance is important to deliver AI safely and effectively within the energy sector and reflected on the points made while she on stage at W:NE.
Finally, Ryan caught up with BP Jera Nex, and POWEful Women's Katherine Descamps about the shocking results of a survey answered by the attendees of W:NE. Kathrine said "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade", but are we using the wrong recipe? 
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Featured in this episode:Women in New Energy 2026 returned to Aberdeen with conversations on offshore wind, AI governance, diversity, leadership and the future energy workforce. The episode features Tara Singh of RenewableUK, Heather Hutcheon of Pinsent Masons, and Katharine Descamps of JERA Nex bp and POWERful Women. The official podcast page describes Energy Voice Out Loud as news, analysis and expert insight from Energy Voice, and the latest W:NE 2026 episode is already listed on Podbean.
Suggested generic sign-off:For more energy news, analysis and insight, visit Energy Voice and follow us across LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X. You can also follow Women in New Energy on LinkedIn for updates from the network and future events. Energy Voice’s public channels and the Women in New Energy LinkedIn page are listed online.

EVOL X Drager

Tune in to this special podcast with Energy Voice news editor Erikka Askeland, along with Neil Shepherd, marketing manager, Draeger Marine and Offshore and Katharine Descamps, offshore wind development leader for Jera Nex BP and an ambassador for Powerful Women, a sector-backed initiative working for a gender-balanced diverse and inclusive energy sector.
The group’s annual State of the Nation report offers key data into the contribution women are making to this changing and dynamic sector.
As the energy system transitions, anecdotal evidence backed up by data shows women are being disproportionately impacted – particularly in the North Sea.
In this special podcast, hear what companies like Draeger are doing to support and grow its pipeline to ensure better balance and diversity in its workforce and its leadership. The trio also discuss some of the report’s key suggestions for ensuring the energy sector finds all the talent it needs to meet one of the world’s greatest engineering challenges creating a clean energy system.

EVOL: Future Cleantech Festival 2026

This week, Future Cleantech Architects hosted an event in Remscheid, Germany, where it launched its latest report. Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, hosted a panel at the Future Cleantech Festival  in which Clean Firm Power Report co-author Antoine Koen presented his findings.
Ryan and Antoine were joined by Maria Leis from Project Tempo, Karan Kochhar of IRENA, and Clean Air Task Force's Phil Cohen.
Their conversation ranged from public opposition to nuclear and the importance of the opinion of voters in shaping energy policy, to the viability of carbon capture storage and how geothermal and pumped storage hydro can pick up the slack when wind and solar generation drops. 

EVOL: EAGE Live in Aberdeen!

This week the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers hosted its annual event in Aberdeen! This brought 6,000 people to the Granite City to discuss various aspects of the energy sector, both nationally and internationally.
Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff and news editor Erikka Askeland caught up with some of the delegates on the show floor, but first Erikka spoke with Katharine Descamps, offshore wind development leader for Jera Nex BP and Powerful Women ambassador; Scottish Energy Forum vice president and director of Veri Energy Donna Sutherland, and Georgina Worrall, head of Powerful Women about the group's latest.
Next, Ryan spoke with Andy Brooks, new ventures director for the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) about the future of licensing in the North Sea and how plans for the deployment of Transitional Energy Certificates (TECs) are shaping up. But that is not all the regulator is working on at the moment, the second carbon storage licensing round is set to be delivered and Andy gave insight into when we can expect to hear who the winners are. 
 
Finally, Erikka caught up with BP subsurface boss Ariel Flores about the importance of bringing the EAGE conference to Aberdeen ahead of his firm announcing its latest rig contract for drilling in the North Sea. 

EVOL: Motivated seller, the European connection and a glass of green whisky

BP wants to sell its North Sea assets, but does it really? The company is struggling to progress operations itself but the high price tag - a rumoured cool £2 billion - has posed challenges. There are ways round it, but it's going to depend on how motivated the supermajor is to find a buyer.
Meanwhile, renewables reporter Michael Behr was at OEUK’s CCS and hydrogen summit, where he spoke with the group’s energy policy director Enrique Cornejo. He shares a status update on the state of Scottish CCS and hydrogen, and how Europe will prove vital the country’s ambitions for both these technologies.
And finally, would whisky taste better if it was powered by hydrogen? That's certainly the direction plans are going in Cromarty, in light of a deal between ITM and Protium. Securing demand may well prove to be a more effective way to deliver supply, given the continued uncertainty over the much-delayed Hydrogen Strategy. Raise your glasses, please!

Energy Voice Out Loud x Brookson Legal

As part of Women in New Energy 2026, we have teamed up with title Brookson Legal for this special podcast exploring the lives and work of industry professionals.
 
This special podcast features Energy Voice news editor Erikka Askeland speaking with Lauren Belfield, associate counsel and IR35 specialist.
 
Lauren’s perspective on the evolving energy sector, the growing importance of contingent talent and specialist workforces, and how businesses can balance access to skills with the need for strong governance and compliance.
She also shares insight into her own squiggly career as part of this year’s theme, Purpose in Practice. This focuses on women’s experience in the workplace and how organisations move from discussion into meaningful action as the industry continues to transform.

EVOL: BP chairman ousted - The board strikes back

This week, Albert Manifold was sacked by the BP board, although he has disputed the allegations of misconduct. 
 
Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, news reporter editor Mat Perry, and E-FWD editor Ed Reed discuss the weeks headlines. 
 
The new Star Wars movie may be out, but we're interested in the Revenge of the Chairman as the board struck back against Manifold's alleged bullying. What does this mean for the future of the UK supermajor's future? Whoever the firm appoints will be a key indicator of BP's direction of travel, especially amid speculation surrounding a move from the London Stock Exchange. 
 
Next up, news editor Erikka Askeland caught up with Panmure Liberum director and oil and gas research analyst Ashley Kelty about how the UK plans to tax overseas profits from energy firms.
 
Erikka was at the Renewable Supply Chain Conference in Aberdeen where she spoke with Port of Inverness boss Sinclair Browne about the future of pumped storage hydro and how the highlands can repurpose the Caledonian Canal. She then had a conversation with David Wilson of Johnston Carmichael about how policy drivers are impacting the "change over time" nature of the energy transition. 

EVOL: Political theatre, hydrogen headaches, and crude constraints

This week, the commons threw out a proposed bill to 'get Britain drilling', the hydrogen sector offered insight into project delivery, and Wood Mac painted a bleak picture for global oil.
Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, news reporter editor Mat Perry, renewables reporter Micheal Behr, and North West correspondent Floyd March discuss the weeks headlines. 
Up first, Michael asks if the Conservative Party's proposed Get Britain Drilling Bill was little more than political theatre after it was shot down by a 215 MP majority. We reflect on the opposition party's approach to oil and gas and how it has positioned itself as the Labour government looks to make good on its manifest commitment of banning exploration in the North Sea. 
Next, Floyd discusses the state of play in the hydrogen sector after he attended Hydrogen Week. Although some projects have stalled due to delays in Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 announcements and the governments strategy for the fuel source, industry remained positive. 
Finally, Mat talks us through Wood Mac's latest insights into the global impacts of ongoing oil supply constraints in the wake of war in the Middle East. He highlights that although the UK may be able to weather the storm that will be high prices, other nations will not be as fortunate. 

EVOL: All Energy 2026

This week All Energy returned to Glasgow's SEC as industry bosses and thought leaders discussed the energy transition and the UK's approach to policy. 
 
Aberdeen features Lead Ryan Duff caught up with Nexos’ new chief executive, Daniel McAteer, about his firm’s recent turnover in senior leadership and how he plans to deliver growth at the Aberdeen firm.
 
He also caught up with Mark Baxter, project director of Ocean Winds’ Caledonia offshore wind farms just before the renewable energy initiative got sign off from government. Mark provided insight into how transmission charges are impacting Scottish projects.
 
The Ocean Winds project boss also detailed his ambitions to submit bids for contracts for difference for the California North wind farm. Mark explained how he hopes to secure a strike price for at least one half of the Caledonia site as he explained the issues facing floating projects as the industry looks ahead to Allocation Round 8.
 
Finally, Ryan spoke with Energy Voice columnist and former British diplomat, Greg Quinn, about the issues that prime minister Kier Starmer faced this week as Labour MPs turned their back on the party leader.