DNV GL – Oil & Gas names regional director

DNV GL – Oil & Gas has appointed a new regional manager for continental Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, India, and Africa.

DNV GL – Oil & Gas said on Thursday that Ben Oudman was named as the regional manager for continental Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, India, and Africa of DNV GL – Oil & Gas. He took up the new position on January 1 and will work from DNV GL’s regional head office in Milan, Italy.

Oudman brings a wealth of relevant experience to his new position from both within DNV GL and outside the company. He joined DNV GL in 2013 and has previously held senior positions in Phillips and Kiwa Technology. In his previous role, he was the country manager for DNV GL’s Oil & Gas operations in the Netherlands.

He succeeds Liv Hovem, who took the role of CEO in DNV GL – Oil & Gas in late September 2017. Oudman’s successor as country manager for DNV GL- Oil & Gas in the Netherlands is Johan Knijp.

Regarding his appointment, Oudman said: “The future energy mix is likely to look very different from region to region within the geographies under my remit.

“’While Western Europe is rapidly embracing the energy transition across the value chain, the focus in Eastern Europe and Russia is on gas as the fuel of choice, with the security of supply a key concern. There we see significant investments in transnational pipeline projects such as TANAP and TAP.

“In the East Mediterranean, recent developments off the coast of Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, and Lebanon are some of the main drivers of oil and gas activities in the area, along with the rise of LNG. On the other hand, the markets in India and Africa are focused on fueling the growing energy needs through challenging deepwater offshore projects and gas to power investments.”

Oudman indicates huge potential remains for mid and downstream activities in the Middle East. “As predicted in our Energy Transition Outlook report, fossil fuels will continue to play a substantial role until 2050, with the majority share coming from the Middle East where we see investments returning to both the upstream and downstream segments,” he added.