Dave Devine PMP

For 35 years I have worked in the North Sea, including the last 25 with BP. During that time I've seen our industry overcome oil price crashes, technical challenges and changing political landscapes. If there's one thing I've learned, it's never to underestimate the North Sea or the people who work here. The proposed sale of BP's North Sea assets has understandably created uncertainty. For many, it's the end of an era. But I believe it should be seen as an exciting opportunity. Any company acquiring these assets won't simply be buying oil and gas fields. They will be inheriting world-class infrastructure, well-maintained facilities and, most importantly in my opinion one of the most experienced and capable workforces anywhere in the global energy industry. I've had the privilege of working alongside exceptional people at bp on some of the most technically challenging problems our industry can throw at us. Their professionalism, technical expertise, commitment to safety and ability to solve complex operational challenges are second to none. The knowledge built up over decades is an asset in its own right and something no balance sheet can truly measure. BP should be immensely proud of the legacy it leaves behind. Through decades of investment, innovation and operational excellence, it has created a portfolio that remains highly attractive. These are not tired assets nearing the end of their usefulness; they are high-quality producing assets with significant remaining potential in the hands of an operator focused on maximising value from a mature basin. History has shown that new ownership can breathe fresh life into mature assets. A company with a strategy centred on the North Sea can bring renewed investment, faster decision-making and a long-term commitment that extends field life, unlocks significant additional reserves across CNS/WoS and supports thousands of skilled jobs across the region. With support from Government the North Sea can still be one of the world's most technically advanced offshore provinces. The expertise developed here will also play a vital role in the wider energy transition, from carbon capture to offshore renewables. Protecting these skills matters far beyond oil and gas. As someone who has spent my entire career in this industry, I remain optimistic. The assets are strong, the workforce is exceptional and the opportunities are real. For the right buyer, this is a chance to invest in world-class infrastructure and world-class people. This shouldn't be viewed as the end of the BP story in the North Sea. It should be seen as the beginning of a new chapter—one that builds on an incredible legacy and gives these outstanding assets and the people behind them every opportunity to thrive.

The Ultimate Oil & Gas Online Assessment Prep Kit 🛠️ Landing a role at major energy firms (Shell, BP, ExxonMobil) comes down to one critical hurdle: The Pre-Interview Assessment Stage. Here is a curated list of tools to help engineering candidates and energy professionals prepare effectively: 1. GraduatesFirst | Shell & BP video & game-based assessments 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dKBU5sF8 2. TechTest.io | ExxonMobil-style technical practice 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d8KAypN6 3. PracticeAptitudeTests | Targeted mock tests & situational judgment 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dpi6eQpr 4. JobTestPrep | All-in-one psychometric & technical practice 🔗 https://lnkd.in/drYkRkfT 5. Glassdoor | Direct candidate insights & interview questions 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dhcqYHnd 6. Industry Guides | Field role, operator, and engineering preparation 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dd2YhsRm | https://lnkd.in/dmE6bWZH Save this post for your next application cycle. 📌 #OilAndGas #FreshGraduates #EngineeringCareers #Recruitment #CareerGrowth #Shell #BP #ExxonMobil #EnergyIndustry #Jobs #JobInterview #SLB #Halliburton #Adnoc #Weatherford #BakerHughes #Nabors #Sonatrach

Someone sent me their cover letter last week and asked  if it was any good. (I know many people who still swear by them) It was pretty good. Specific, had real numbers in it. Then I asked where it was going. The “optional attachment” field on a portal. Nobody was going to read it… That's what the cover letter argument keeps missing.  Half the advice says they're dead. The other half swears  they've landed every role with one. Both groups are describing their own experience accurately. Whether a cover letter works has almost nothing to do  with the writing. It comes down to who opens it. So pick that person before you send anything. Apply through the portal, because that's how you get in  the system. Then send the letter to the hiring manager  or the team lead directly, in the body of the email. (hint: use LinkedIn to find them) That one move changes the read rate more than  anything you do to the writing. Then run this test on your writing: Change the company name. Could you send it to ten  other companies exactly as is? If yes, rewrite to be more personalized. Warm version, cold version, and the seven steps are  in the cheat sheet 👇 And if you're targeting senior-level roles in the $200K-$500K range, I open a few strategy call slots each week. Form is in my Featured section.

We are very excited to announce that our Primary Three Shirt giveaway will be returning this season thanks again to the support and generosity of club partners Ralph Sayer. Pupils going into primary three in August from Millbank Primary School, Rosebank Primary School, Auldearn Primary School, Cawdor Primary School, Ardersier Primary School, and Croy Primary School will all receive their very own Nairn County shirt as part of this initiative, with the aim to complete all deliveries before the October holidays. Chairman Kevin Reid said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to do our Primary Three giveaway again this season. It was brilliant to see the delight on all the kids faces when they received their shirt and to hear all the feedback from parents and teachers about the initiative." In a change to last year, all primary three pupils in the Nairnshire area will be receiving the new away shirt. The shirt giveaway will be coordinated through the schools, with deliveries planned in coordination with staff at each location. Keep an eye on our channels for photos and updates as the shirts make their way into classrooms across Nairnshire. Please note, P4 pupils that received a shirt last year when they were in P3, and are in a composite class this time around won't be eligible for a shirt. For those looking to purchase the new away shirt, we are expecting new stock to arrive in the coming weeks. Here’s to the next generation of Nairn County fans and players.

HOW PROJECT MANAGERS CAN CONTROL PROJECT COST Get a Complete Set of High Quality Project Management Templates & Dashboards in Excel at:https://lnkd.in/eUqJDnx2 Controlling project cost is not just about tracking expenses — it’s about proactive planning, monitoring, and decision-making. Here’s how Project Managers can effectively control project costs: 1️⃣ Cost Planning & Baseline Control • Define a clear and approved cost baseline • Break the total budget into WBS components • Use historical data for realistic estimates • Allocate contingency reserves (5–10%) • Freeze scope early to avoid scope creep 2️⃣ Real-Time Cost Tracking & Monitoring • Track Actual Cost (AC) weekly • Compare Planned Value (PV) vs Actual Cost • Use dashboards for cost visibility • Monitor burn rate consistently • Highlight overruns immediately 3️⃣ Cost Variance & Earned Value Control • Calculate Cost Variance (CV = EV – AC) • Monitor Cost Performance Index (CPI = EV / AC) • CPI < 1.0 indicates overspending • Forecast Estimate at Completion (EAC) • Take corrective action early 4️⃣ Change, Risk & Stakeholder Cost Control • Approve and document all cost changes • Quantify risks using EMV analysis • Communicate cost impacts clearly • Avoid frequent “small changes” • Re-forecast and update baseline when required 5️⃣ Strong Cost Discipline Practices • Conduct periodic cost reviews • Align procurement with budget limits • Optimize resource utilization • Reduce unnecessary overheads • Ensure financial transparency 🔎 Key Insight: Cost control is not accounting — it’s daily decision-making with full visibility and accountability. When project managers combine planning, tracking, earned value analysis, and disciplined change control, cost overruns can be reduced by 25–30% and stakeholder confidence increases significantly. Get a Complete Set of High Quality Project Management Templates & Dashboards in Excel at:https://lnkd.in/eUqJDnx2 A person who never failed is a person who never tried anything new. #ProjectManagement #ProjectManagementTools #Management #Engineers #SuccessfulProjectManagers #Construction #CivilEngineering

A MUST-READ book on Project Cost Management: The Art & Science of Cost Management: https://lnkd.in/dWDjt-PR “Control scope changes before they control your project costs.”