Energy Transition Technical Data Manager in Aberdeen

The NSTA Energy Transition Technical Data Manager is responsible for the implementation, oversight and continuous improvement of information and samples compliance for Carbon Storage (CS) and related licences. In addition, to the leadership activities that contribute to the NSTA’s objective of assisting the Secretary of State with meeting the net zero target, and supporting investment in relevant activities. Just as data supports the activities of petroleum licensees, data will support the activities of CS licensees and others, contributing to the goal of net zero.

The 2023 Energy Act introduced provisions for information and samples related regulations. The required retention and disclosure regulations are now in place and CS activity is picking up pace - 4 CS licences have been issued permits and development wells are progressing, adding to the appraisal work, baseline monitoring activity and geophysical survey acquisition that is already taking place. A second CS Licensing round is also underway.

This is a relatively new role (established in 2022), which focused initially on policy and regulatory matters related to ensure regulations and guidance were put in place. The focus is now changing to a more operational approach, managing retention and reporting by CS licensees, liaising with their information and sample coordinators and supporting NSTA teams (New Ventures, Carbon Transportation and Storage, Licensing, Policy and Legal) in information and sample related matters. Significant groundwork is needed in developing IT applications, establishing internal processes and effectively communicating the new information and samples requirements internally and externally.

The role also involves close collaboration with a number of stakeholders including other UK agencies (The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, The UK Hydrographic Office) and DESNZ legal and policy stakeholders. The role is part of a multi-disciplined team reporting to the NSTA’s Head of Data Services and Compliance within the Data team.

Key responsibilities include:

• NSTA’s lead authority on CS information and samples regulation, guidance and compliance interpretation
• Work with CS Licensees to set expectations for information and samples management and compliance
• Work with NSTA teams, including Consents and Legal to ensure infrastructure data, used for CS purposes is retained, reported and disclosed
• Define requirements for data quality, reporting and validation processes, working with Digital and Data teams to ensure delivery – including wellbore, storage site / complex and infrastructure data
• Work with the Head of Data Services and Compliance to oversee and assure compliant reporting to the NDR and other reporting systems. Working with Data Services teams to ensure alignment with standards and processes
• Lead the development of reporting processes, industry guidance and supporting the development of IT applications to enable the reporting and disclosure process
• Manage the interface between data acquired pursuant of Petroleum Licence activities and the role that petroleum related data will play in fulfilling the NSTA’s objective of assisting the Secretary of State with meeting the net zero target, and support investment in relevant activities
• Lead the development of compliance measurement processes including internal process development and support and interaction with licensees
• Included in all of the above, are matters to do with physical samples and where relevant, matters to do with volumes of carbon dioxide stored and ongoing monitoring activities
• Work with the NSTA Head of Data Services and Compliance and NSTA Policy Leads to ensure that legislation is appropriate and that opportunities to improve legislation are seized
• Engage with internal stakeholders and industry to shape how information and samples data supports carbon storage, energy transition, and wider NSTA strategic objectives

Priorities and key challenges

The immediate priorities for the Energy Transition Technical Data Manager are as follows:

• The first CS routine reporting notice is set to be sent out: Act as the first port of call for information and samples coordinators who are looking to fulfil their reporting requirements
• Identify where further development of NSTA systems is needed to enable compliant reporting and explore how to bridge and plug any system gaps
• Act as an agent of change and develop a communications strategy to raise awareness of the new information and samples powers and requirements internally and externally
• Consider regulations that need to be put in place to support the role the NSTA has in respect to hydrogen and gas storage

Specialist Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, Memberships or Language

• BSc in a technical data, engineering or geoscience related subject and/or energy policy
• Able to articulate the data related requirements in respect to Energy Transition activities to multiple audiences (legal, operational, policy and others)
• Experience writing ‘Guidance’ documentation or other instructive / technical documentation
• Basic understanding of petroleum licence data quality and governance and how that will translate to CS Licences
• Understanding of UK regulations in relation to Petroleum Industry Information and Samples
• Excellent analytical skills
• Significant proven experience in technical data management across typical Exploration & Production or geoscience related domains
• Understanding of service management and project management principles
• Understanding of current transactional, consenting, system of record and data reporting applications in the NSTA Digital Energy Platform including the Energy Portal, the NSTA Data Centre and NDR
• Experience with requirements gathering for application development and process mapping