Wind, Waves & Wells with Joe

Ian Garden - Offshore Safety, False Positives & Speaking Up

In this episode of Wind, Waves & Wells, I sit down with Ian Garden, Managing Director of RigDeluge and creator of the False Positives documentary.

Ian discusses concerns he has raised over more than a decade regarding offshore firefighting systems, emergency response planning, rescue capability and what he describes as the growing gap between safety messaging and operational reality.

We talk about HSE investigations, platform shutdowns, speaking up in the industry, leadership, accountability and why Ian believes the offshore sector needs to focus more on action and less on optics.

Whether you agree with Ian or not, this is a conversation that raises important questions about safety, culture and the future of the UK energy industry.

As always, the purpose of this podcast is to provide a platform for discussion and allow listeners to make up their own minds.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:18 Who is Ian Garden?

01:10 Building RigDeluge and lessons from offshore

04:30 The origins of False Positives

07:12 Documenting concerns since 2013

08:11 Early firefighting system trials and resistance to change

11:20 Flare boom safety concerns

14:00 Taking concerns to regulators

15:10 Six firefighting systems that should have been condemned

18:00 Refusing to continue work on an unsafe asset

19:50 Escalating concerns to the HSE

22:20 Platform shutdowns and industry response

25:50 Being NRB'd and speaking up

28:10 Has offshore safety improved since Piper Alpha?

30:15 Safety culture versus safety performance

32:00 The gap between onshore messaging and offshore reality

33:20 Why False Positives was created

35:30 Industry reaction to the documentary

36:30 Why people are reluctant to speak up

40:00 The 124kg rescue capability debate

45:45 Government policy and the future of the North Sea

50:05 Ian's vision for the UK's energy future

52:00 Politics, energy policy and investment

57:10 What if a major incident had happened?

58:00 Firefighting systems and reliability concerns

01:00:15 Will there be a False Positives 2?

01:02:10 Why Ian continues to challenge the industry

01:11:00 The personal cost of speaking out

01:14:00 Proudest career moment

01:15:20 Leadership, accountability and integrity

01:18:30 Safety in numbers and collective action

01:20:30 Paperwork versus real safety

01:21:00 What happens next?

01:24:00 Final thoughts

Keeley Bell - Five Years Sober, One Mission: Changing Offshore Culture

What happens when an offshore driller hits rock bottom and decides to rebuild his life from the ground up?

In this episode, I sit down with Keeley Bell, founder of Silverback GRIT, to discuss offshore life, addiction, mental health, leadership, fitness, and why the energy industry needs to start taking care of its people as seriously as it takes care of its equipment.

Keeley shares his journey from the drilling rigs of the Gulf of Mexico to becoming a passionate advocate for mental resilience and personal transformation. From battling alcoholism and surviving a heart attack to building a company focused on improving the wellbeing of offshore workers, this is an honest conversation about the realities many people face but few talk about openly.

The discussion covers offshore culture, isolation, leadership, fitness, sleep, nutrition, mental health, family life, and what companies can do to better support their workforce.

Most importantly, it is a reminder that no matter how difficult things get, there is always another day to keep moving forward.

00:00 Introduction
00:48 Life as an offshore driller in the Gulf of Mexico
02:25 Offshore rotations and the drinking culture
05:30 The story behind Silverback GRIT
09:13 Bringing mental health conversations offshore
12:32 Hidden pressures of offshore life
13:52 Why being open about your struggles matters
17:03 Is there a mental health crisis in the industry?
18:36 Breaking the culture of bottling things up
21:01 Hydration, sleep and physical wellbeing offshore
23:53 Isolation and building support systems
29:06 Offshore vs onshore culture challenges
31:47 Is the industry finally changing?
34:03 Leadership, generations and culture shifts
37:02 Fitness, longevity and staying physically capable
39:16 Offshore weight limits and workforce health
43:56 Why people are the most important safety barrier
46:40 Advice for younger workers entering the industry
48:28 The future of Silverback GRIT
50:10 Advice for anyone currently struggling
53:10 Keeley's proudest moment
54:56 Final thoughts and closing remarks

John Underhill - Oil, Gas & Renewables: Why It’s Not Either Or

This episode is one of the most balanced and honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast.

John Underhill, Professor at the University of Aberdeen and Director for Energy Transition, joins me to break down what’s actually happening in the energy world right now.

This isn’t about picking sides.

It’s about understanding reality.

We get into the North Sea, the role of oil and gas in the transition, the truth behind emissions reporting, and why energy has suddenly become such a political battleground.

John brings decades of experience across academia and industry, and gives a perspective that cuts through a lot of the noise.

We also talk about:

• Why the UK has become more dependent on imports
• The unintended consequences of how emissions are measured
• The real challenges of transitioning from oil and gas to renewables
• Why job losses in traditional energy are not being replaced like for like
• Whether the North Sea still has a future
• The idea of “energy addition” rather than just transition
• Why energy has become so divided and politicised
• And what a realistic energy future actually looks like

If you want a proper, grounded view of where we are and where we’re heading, this is one worth listening to.

00:00 – Intro
00:24 – Introduction to John Underhill
01:27 – Working in the North Sea during its peak
02:49 – Academia vs industry experience
05:17 – What a day looks like in energy today
07:37 – Why energy has become centre stage
11:49 – The role of oil and gas in the transition
14:19 – The global reality of fossil fuel dependence
16:47 – Addition vs transition mindset
19:41 – The truth about emissions reporting
23:26 – Are we just shifting emissions elsewhere?
26:04 – Domestic vs imported energy and carbon footprint
29:45 – Global emissions and energy realities
32:00 – Impact on communities and jobs
37:10 – Can renewables replace oil and gas jobs?
40:23 – The reality of offshore wind jobs
42:41 – Skills gaps and retraining challenges
47:09 – How much is left in the North Sea?
49:41 – Tax policy and investment challenges
55:39 – Why energy has become so divided
58:16 – The real state of the energy transition
01:00:51 – Challenges with hydrogen and new technologies
01:03:14 – Public perception and community pushback
01:06:22 – Proudest career moment
01:08:54 – Independent thinking in energy
01:13:42 – Unique career experiences and insights
01:18:12 – Final thoughts

Juan Cottier - Geology & Why the Oil Industry Is Eating Itself

This one is a proper deep dive into the world behind the wells.

Juan Cottier joins me to break down what geology actually is, how it fits into oil and gas, and why it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of the industry.

We get into how oil is really found, the different stages from exploration through to production, and why geologists spend their careers making decisions with incomplete data.

But this goes well beyond rocks.

We talk about the disconnect between offshore and the office
Why careers in oil and gas are becoming more unstable
How the industry has changed over the last 30 years

And one of the biggest points in this episode:

Why the oil industry might actually be “eating itself”

Juan also shares stories from working across the world, including West Africa during civil unrest, and gives a brutally honest view on where the industry is heading.

This is one for anyone in energy who wants to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

00:20 Introduction
01:30 Career background
03:00 What is geology
05:30 Getting into oil and gas
07:30 Working with limited data
09:30 Oilfield lifecycle explained
11:30 Arrogance in geology
12:30 Development vs production work
14:30 Why he supports oil and gas
16:30 Global experience
18:30 Offshore life realities
20:30 Offshore vs office disconnect
22:30 Decision making on wells
24:30 Team collaboration
26:30 Career instability
29:00 Fewer young geologists
31:00 Career advice
33:00 Norway vs UK
36:00 Norway model explained
39:00 UK missed opportunity
40:30 Knowledge gap
42:00 Industry eating itself
44:00 Debt and private equity
47:00 Layoffs and cycles
49:00 Social media presence
51:00 Humour in industry
52:30 Career reflections
54:30 Family decisions
56:00 Biggest finds
57:10 End

The Jim & Joe Show - Oil Chaos, OPEC Moves & Offshore F*ck Ups

Another one from the Jim & Joe Show and this one goes everywhere.

We start with what’s kicking off globally
UAE, OPEC, the Strait of Hormuz, and where oil prices could be heading

Then it turns into exactly what you’d expect

Stories from offshore that probably shouldn’t be told
Close calls
Absolute chaos
And a few moments where things could have gone very wrong

From diesel spills to dropped gear, to nearly turning the North Sea fluorescent green…

Yeah… it’s one of those episodes

Bit of the usual speaking rubbish and putting the world to right.

00:20 – Catch up and what’s been happening
01:00 – UAE, OPEC and what it could mean
02:30 – Oil production limits and tensions in the Gulf
04:00 – Pipelines, supply routes and global oil flow
06:00 – Iran, fibre optic cables and global disruption risk
07:30 – Oil prices and potential 24 percent jump
08:30 – Tanker prices and market pressures
09:30 – Renewables overtaking coal and China’s role
10:30 – What’s happening in drilling right now
11:30 – New contracts and industry movement
12:30 – Global instability and long term outlook
14:00 – Politics, Trump and global positioning
16:00 – UK politics, Labour and energy influence
18:00 – Offshore segment begins – biggest regrets and f*ck ups
19:00 – Joe’s diesel spill story offshore
22:30 – Lessons learned and close calls
23:30 – Jim’s dropped collar incident
27:00 – How bad it could have been
29:00 – More offshore chaos and near misses
33:00 – Crude spill and trying to cover it up
36:00 – Cleaning it up without getting caught
38:00 – Jim’s fluorescein disaster story
42:00 – Turning the sea green and full panic mode
45:00 – Covering tracks and getting away with it
47:00 – Talking about OIM Chris and offshore leadership
49:00 – OEUK episode and industry reactions
51:00 – Closing thoughts

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Stu Turley - Energy Reality, Global Power Shifts & Why Energy Security Is Everything

This one goes stateside.

Stu Turley, CEO of Sandstone Group and host of Energy Newsbeat, joins me to break down what’s really going on in the energy world right now.

We get into the current situation in the US, why California is facing serious energy issues, and how global events like the Strait of Hormuz could have a much bigger impact than people realise.

But this is not just headlines.

We talk about:
• Energy security and why it actually matters
• The reality behind renewables vs oil and gas
• Why the world isn’t in an energy transition, but an energy addition
• The growing pressure from AI, data centres, and power demand
• And where the biggest opportunities in energy really are

Stu doesn’t hold back.

Whether you agree with him or not, this is a proper look at how energy, politics, and global power all tie together.

00:20 – Introduction and who Stu Turley is
01:00 – From Intel to oil and gas
02:50 – Starting Energy Newsbeat
03:30 – What Sandstone Group does
04:00 – Current US energy situation and California
05:30 – Strait of Hormuz and global supply risk
07:00 – California imports, refinery closures and policy impact
08:30 – Oil reserves and shutdown of local production
10:00 – Global energy politics and shifting markets
12:00 – OPEC, UAE, and changing oil flows
14:00 – Oil pricing, demand, and global supply pressure
16:30 – Renewables vs oil and gas debate
18:30 – Why wind and solar struggle without subsidies
20:30 – Energy security and global dependence
22:00 – Jones Act, pipelines and US infrastructure issues
24:00 – What happens if supply tightens further
26:00 – Future global energy trading blocks
28:00 – UK and EU energy outlook
30:00 – Energy security becoming more visible
31:30 – Surveillance, control and energy links
33:00 – UK energy situation and preparedness
34:00 – Building resilience and backup systems
35:30 – Growth of Energy Newsbeat
37:00 – Censorship, big tech and control
38:30 – Energy transition vs energy addition
40:00 – Industry messaging and public perception
41:30 – Future of energy and global cooperation
42:30 – Ending energy poverty
43:30 – Opportunities in the energy sector
45:30 – AI, data centres and power demand
47:30 – Nuclear, coal and future baseload
49:30 – Infrastructure limitations and turbine supply
51:30 – Final thoughts and future outlook

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Omar Iqbal - Shadowy Sh*t. The Side of Offshore Life We Don’t Talk About

This is one of the more honest conversations we’ve had on Wind, Waves & Wells.

Omar joins me to talk through a journey that starts in Bradford and ends up offshore, travelling the world in oil and gas. But this one goes far deeper than job titles, projects, or locations.

We get into what the industry is really like when you first step into it
The egos, the pressure, and the identity that comes with the job

And then we shift into something far more real

Mental health
Childhood trauma
Attachment to career and status
What happens when everything stops and you are left with yourself

Omar opens up about experiences he carried for decades, the impact it had on his life, relationships, and career, and how he eventually faced it head on through therapy, self work, and writing his book.

This is not a polished story
It is a real one

If you work offshore, in energy, or in any high pressure environment, there will be parts of this that hit home.

00:20 – Introduction and Omar’s background
01:10 – From Bradford to oil and gas
03:30 – First job and early industry exposure
06:00 – First offshore trip and Angola experience
09:10 – Realising the scale of the industry
11:10 – Offshore culture, egos, and identity struggles
12:20 – Attaching self worth to job titles
14:00 – Industry downturns and mental impact
16:20 – Advice for people going through downturns
18:10 – Moving into nuclear and career reflections
20:20 – Writing the book and personal growth
21:30 – Opening up about childhood trauma
24:30 – Mental health struggles and coping mechanisms
27:00 – Work as a coping mechanism
28:00 – Hitting breaking point and seeking help
31:00 – Therapy, self discovery, and identity
34:10 – Suicide attempts and darkest periods
35:40 – Returning offshore with a new mindset
36:50 – Real conversations offshore about mental health
38:20 – Relatability and breaking down barriers
39:00 – Psychedelics, healing, and perspective shifts
41:00 – Are people in the industry struggling?
42:20 – Being treated as a number offshore
42:50 – Raising awareness for mental health
44:00 – Is the industry changing?
45:20 – Advice for those struggling offshore
46:30 – Writing the book process and emotional toll
50:50 – Have you come out the other side?
52:20 – What younger Omar would think now
53:40 – Proudest moment
55:50 – Final thoughts and closing

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Graham Skinner OEUK - Too Heavy to Work Offshore? The 124kg Rule Explained

A new offshore policy is coming… and it’s already dividing the industry.

From November, any worker over 124kg won’t be allowed to travel offshore.
Simple rule. Massive consequences.

In this episode, I sit down with Graham Skinner from Offshore Energies UK to break it all down.

Where did the number actually come from?
Why now?
And what happens to the people who can’t meet it?

We get into everything:

• The real reason behind the 124kg limit
• Why rescue helicopters are at the centre of it
• The challenges of evacuating larger casualties offshore
• Why fitness doesn’t matter… only weight
• Concerns around fairness, job security, and timing
• Whether this could spread to wind and other industries
• The reality behind “just upgrade the equipment”
• And what support workers will actually get

This isn’t a simple conversation.

It’s safety vs livelihoods.
Policy vs reality.
And a decision that could impact thousands of offshore workers.

You might not agree with it.
You might not like it.

But it’s coming.

00:24 Who is Graham Skinner and his offshore background
01:12 The 124kg rule explained
03:06 Why 124kg? The real reason behind the number
04:53 When the industry realised weight was a problem
06:18 Consultation with unions and operators
06:56 Industry reaction and worker response
08:22 Union concerns and fairness
09:07 Legal challenges and compliance
09:49 What about big, fit workers?
11:17 Why fitness doesn’t matter, only weight
12:46 Why not upgrade rescue equipment?
15:00 Limits of helicopters, stretchers and systems
16:06 Is the winch really the main issue?
18:22 Why oil and gas first and not wind or marine
20:33 How many workers will actually be affected
22:17 Job security concerns in a struggling industry
23:20 Is now the wrong time to introduce this policy?
25:35 Offshore food, fitness and weight loss challenges
28:35 What operators are doing to help
29:52 Is this really about money?
30:38 Why the industry didn’t act sooner
31:53 Why the rule only applies going offshore
33:36 Why not in Norway or other regions
34:35 Are there any exemptions?
34:54 Extreme scenarios and operational decisions
37:04 Weight loss drugs and new health risks
40:35 Is the offshore workforce unhealthy?
41:20 Impact on long term offshore workers
43:03 Will the rule change in the future?
43:45 Is the policy unfair?
44:31 Will it definitely go ahead?
45:24 What happens to workers who can’t meet it
46:59 Long term vision for the policy
48:14 Will operators be held accountable
49:04 Graham’s proudest career moment
50:27 Final thoughts and real industry concerns

 

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