“Always be respectful of others, valuable contributions can come from anywhere”.

Decommissioning project manager Jessica Lyon FIMarEST grew up in Aberdeen and explains how a summer internship, where she received technical and professional guidance, has shaped her career. 

1 Tell us about your early career. 

I was offered a summer internship with an international energy company, within their Technology and Research Development Business Stream, whilst studying mechanical engineering at the University of Aberdeen. By the end of that summer, having assisted with research in multiple exciting new subsea technologies and spending a few weeks offshore with their operations team, I was hooked. I returned the following summer and then accepted a full-time graduate role.  

The first few years centred on developing subsea technologies as oil and gas developments went to deeper and more remote locations. I was fortunate to be involved in a major capital project with responsibility for taking a new technology through from concept to delivery and installation in the North Sea as well as full system integration testing. 

2 What is your current role?  

I am a decommissioning project manager within Petrofac Asset Solutions based in Aberdeen which involves developing and delivering opportunities within the decommissioning sector for our global client base. Late life asset management, preparing onshore and offshore facilities for removal, remediation of the site and ongoing monitoring post decommissioning is all part of the remit. It’s such an exciting time to work in decommissioning, and I’m at an exciting point in my career, with anticipated growth in the coming years as the industry drives towards energy transition and diversifying into new lower carbon solutions. 

3 How did you get to where you are now? 

Before joining Petrofac, I worked on major new offshore capital projects in the energy sector, starting in subsea before moving into topsides platform scopes. I gained experience in onshore fabrication, assembly, qualification and system testing as well as offshore construction, operations and vessel campaigns within the North Sea. 

4 Why did you join the industry? 

Growing up in Aberdeen, I was surrounded by the oil, gas and marine industries and as a child I was fascinated by them. But I didn’t fully grasp the scope of the industry and how wide ranging the opportunities were, until I went to university. Attending the IMarEST Aberdeen branch networking sessions and associated presentations from industry professionals during my studies made my decision clear.  

5 Who influenced you to choose this industry? 

The mentors who guided me through my first summer internship, particularly John Lawson CEng CMarEng FIMarEST, who shaped my view of the industry. John provided endless technical and professional guidance in my early career that stays with me to this day. His life-long commitment to industry bodies including the IMarEST is important to remember and try to retain in our busy working lives.

Jessica Lyon presenting at a decommissioning conference in Aberdeen in March 2022 

6 What are the biggest changes you are seeing right now? 

The energy transition is having a major impact on the industry. It’s an exciting time to be involved as there is great potential to redeploy the vast existing resources and knowledge to tackle the ever-changing environment.  

Living in the oil and gas focused Aberdeen, I think about the sustainability of the energy industry and the effect of unpredictable oil prices on current and future generations setting out in their careers. Within the space of a year or two, companies that were taking in 10+ graduates every year stopped graduate employment all together. I worry about the stagnation in career and personal development for young people at such an important time in their working lives, and also the high potential for skills gaps and challenges with succession planning for the same companies further down the line.  

7 Who do you most admire? 

My parents instilled a strong work ethic in us from an early age, as well as the need to have passion for what you do.  

8 Tell us about your involvement with the IMarEST.  

I signed up as Associate member in university because I could see the exposure potential to people in the industry whom I could learn from. In my early working career, I aligned my professional development with IMarEST principles to gain chartership. I found the online CPD resources invaluable.  

9 What’s the best career advice you’ve received?  

Always be respectful of others, valuable contributions can come from anywhere. 

10 Any advice to those starting out? 

Don’t be afraid to try something new or different even if it might not be on your direct career path. You never know where it might take you.  

Jessica Lyon CEng CMarEng FIMarEST is Decommissioning Project Manager with Petrofac Asset Solutions and a member of the IMarEST’s Offshore Oil and Gas, the Offshore Renewables, and the Recycling Marine Structures Special Interest Groups as well as the IMarEST's Women’s Network.