Wind, Waves & Wells with Joe

The Jim & Joe Show - Best/Worst Bosses

Welcome back to The Jim and Joe Show. In this episode we talk honestly about life in the oil and gas industry. From the difference between great leaders and terrible ones, to the kinds of stories that only seem to happen offshore. We also touch on the rise of “oilfluencers” and how social media can paint a very different picture of the industry compared to the reality many people experience out in the field. Part storytelling, part reflection, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Matthew Hatami - Deepwater Horizon and the Lessons Still Being Missed

In part one of my conversation with Matthew Hatami, we get into a detailed discussion on Deepwater Horizon, Macondo and well control. Matthew shares the research he has carried out over the years into the disaster, including his views on why the accident happened, why failed negative pressure tests can be so deceptive, and why he believes one of the biggest lessons is still being missed across the industry. He also speaks about the role of mechanical barriers, the SEDCO 711 incident in the North Sea, and why information sharing matters far more than many people realise.

0:00 Introduction
0:25 Matthew Hatami introduces himself
1:12 Starting an exploration company and raising private equity
2:47 Quick message to like and subscribe
2:48 Matthew’s early career in petroleum engineering
3:40 Working for Halliburton in the Permian Basin
4:08 International work in North Africa
4:45 Seeing the industry from service companies and operators
7:50 Writing The Oilfield Survivor’s Guide
9:17 Writing his second book on shale oil and gas operations
11:10 Why controlling costs matters in oil and gas
12:40 How companies reduce well costs
13:21 Operational decisions that become expensive mistakes
15:04 Deepwater Horizon discussion begins
16:00 Matthew’s research into the disaster
17:00 Why he believes the cause is misunderstood
18:40 Similar North Sea incident before Deepwater Horizon
19:30 Failed pressure test example from field experience
21:10 What pressure testing is actually meant to prove
23:05 How communication failures happen during operations
24:40 Why small decisions can lead to major incidents
26:20 Safety culture and decision making offshore
28:05 The pressure engineers face during high value operations
29:40 When engineers have to challenge decisions
31:15 Learning lessons from major offshore incidents
33:05 Why the industry sometimes repeats the same mistakes
35:10 Cost pressure versus operational safety
37:00 The importance of experienced leadership offshore
39:20 How operations can drift away from best practice
41:10 Lessons from decades in the oil and gas industry
43:05 Advice for engineers early in their careers
45:00 What separates good operations from bad ones
47:15 Reflections on the current state of the industry
49:30 What Matthew hopes the industry learns going forward
51:20 Final thoughts from Matthew Hatami
53:10 Closing remarks

 

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Hatami

00:11 Matthew’s career in oil and gas and major companies he worked for

00:50 Starting his own exploration company

02:05 From Halliburton to Hess, Chesapeake and beyond

04:36 Why Matthew wrote Oilfield Survival Guide

06:02 Writing his second book on shale oil and gas operations

07:56 Why cost reduction is critical in the oil industry

10:07 Small operational decisions that become expensive later

11:48 Deepwater Horizon and why Matthew researched the disaster

14:19 What he believes really caused the Macondo disaster

15:45 Why failed negative pressure tests can be deceptive

19:05 The key mistake he believes happened on Deepwater Horizon

20:50 Why “massive flow” is not always the first warning sign

22:17 A real failed pressure test from Matthew’s own experience

24:40 Pressure from investors and making decisions in the field

27:10 How wells can give misleading warning signs

29:24 Why the industry still has not fully learned from Macondo

32:48 The most important lesson from Deepwater Horizon

35:13 Why adding more barriers is not always the answer

37:38 How well control events can build slowly

40:05 Experience gaps and critical decision making

41:59 The Sedco 711 incident in the North Sea

42:21 Why lessons from earlier incidents were not shared

44:44 Leadership responsibility and information sharing

46:44 Why even experienced engineers can miss warning signs

49:10 Why nobody in the industry has seen everything

Mark Lappin - Labour Activist, Energy Realist

In this episode of Wind, Waves & Wells, I sit down with Mark Lappin, a veteran of the energy industry with more than 40 years of experience across the North Sea and around the world.

Mark has worked across oil and gas, power generation, and renewables, including time at Centrica. He is now Chairman of North Sea exploration company Deltic Energy and remains actively involved in the UK energy debate.

We talk about the realities of energy policy, the future of the North Sea, and why the conversation around the energy transition has become increasingly polarised.

We also discuss:

• Whether politicians really understand how the North Sea basin works
• The gap between falling production and ongoing demand
• Energy security and domestic resources
• Jobs, communities, and the offshore workforce
• The role of oil and gas during the transition

Drawing on decades of experience in the sector, Mark shares a pragmatic perspective on how the UK can balance energy security, jobs, emissions, and the path towards net zero.

Mark Wilkinson - From DJ Booth to Safety, and Leadership in a High-Stakes World

In this conversation, Mark Wilkinson shares his journey from being an international DJ to becoming a health and safety professional. He discusses the importance of understanding personality styles in managing risk and creating a positive safety culture. Mark emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in leadership and the impact of ego on team dynamics. He advocates for proactive leadership and the need for self-awareness in developing future leaders in the energy sector. The conversation highlights the universal nature of personality diversity and the importance of people in all aspects of work.

Windy Miller - The Jim and Joe Show

In this episode, Joe and James share their personal experiences of working offshore, particularly in the North Sea. They discuss their first trips, the culture of offshore life, the challenges faced, and the transition from oil and gas to wind energy. The conversation is filled with humour, anecdotes, and insights into the unique world of offshore work.

 

Martin Copeland - Optimism During Uncertainty

In this episode, Martin Copeland, CFO of Serica Energy, shares insights into his transition from banking to the energy sector, the challenges faced in the North Sea, and the importance of long-term energy policies. He discusses the current state of the North Sea basin, energy security, and the ambitions of Serica Energy to grow and adapt in a changing market. Martin emphasizes the need for government support in approving new developments and reflects on his personal experiences offshore, highlighting the importance of understanding the operational side of the energy industry.

 

How the Other Half Live.

In this episode, we delve into the real-life challenges and triumphs of a couple navigating the complexities of offshore work and family life. Through conversations, we reveal how we manage the mental load of parenting alone, tackle forgotten passports, and handle the pressure of keeping everything running smoothly. Discover the crucial shifts in communication and understanding that transform resentment into respect and frustration into connection.

Lisa and myself shares insights on the emotional rollercoaster of being away from loved ones, the realities of raising kids, and finding self-care amidst the demands of offshore rotations. We openly discuss the sacrifices, moments of doubt, and strategies that help them stay afloat when everything feels overwhelming. This episode offers our insights for offshore workers and their families, fostering understanding, resilience, and hope.

Eric Doyle - The Power of Social Media in the Energy Sector

In this episode, Eric Doyle shares his transformative journey from a Glasgow electrician to a digital influence strategist in the energy sector. Eric discusses the challenges and triumphs of moving from traditional trades to becoming a leader in digital marketing and safety management. He highlights the importance of embracing change and leveraging digital platforms like LinkedIn to build influence and drive business growth. Eric's story is a testament to the power of adaptability and strategic communication in today's fast-evolving digital landscape. Listeners will gain insights into crafting compelling narratives, the significance of authentic engagement, and the impact of digital presence on commercial success. Whether you're in the energy sector or any industry looking to modernize your approach, this episode offers valuable lessons on turning digital influence into tangible results. Join us as we explore how to stand out in a crowded market and become a leader in your field through the art of storytelling and digital strategy.