ICOTA Europe appoints new Chairman and Co-Chair

Organisations and Associations - March 13, 2012

The Intervention & Coiled Tubing Association (ICoTA) European Chapter, has appointed a new chairman and co-chairman.

Former co-chair Callum Munro will take the helm as chairman of the organisation, while fellow committee member Michael Taggart has been appointed as the new co-chairman.

Both appointments were announced at the ICoTA European Chapter’s annual dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen, attended by more than 300 leading figures from the region’s intervention and coiled tubing industry.

Mr Munro, a senior well engineer at BP, is responsible for identifying and implementing new well intervention technologies within the company, also providing specific well examination services for platform and subsea well interventions across BP’s UKCS portfolio.

A member of ICoTA since 2002, he joined the committee in 2006, becoming actively involved in the re-development of the ICoTA Europe website. Mr Munro also served as programme chairman for delivering both the 2010 and 2011 European Well Intervention Conferences held in Aberdeen, and holds responsibility for ICoTA’s working lunch technical sessions held throughout the year

An engineering manager with Baker Hughes, Mr Taggart has been a member of ICoTA Europe for more than a decade, with around four years spent on the committee. A former marine engineer with the Merchant Navy, he has worked in the oil and gas industry for almost 20 years.

Mr Taggart is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient undertaking of coiled tubing operations for Baker Hughes, also introducing new technologies to the UK.

The chairman and co-chairman of ICoTA Europe serve for one year, are nominated by members and appointed on an annual basis. Mr Munro takes over as chairman from Rob Grassick.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Munro said: “I am delighted to take on this new role as chairman. ICoTA is key in providing a global network of professionals, engineers and technical experts across all well intervention disciplines, offering a vital platform through which to exchange practical knowledge and share innovative ideas and products.

“As chairman, I want to build momentum through the organisation ensuring we can attract the new breed of engineers which the industry needs both now and for the future. The adoption of new technologies and more collaborative ways of working will help to secure the North Sea industry going forward. ICoTA is pivotal in sharing this information and learning across all of the wells’ disciplines.

“I would also like to thank Rob Grassick for his excellent leadership and contribution to ICoTA through 2011. Membership has increased and the organisation is gaining recognition as an established and specialised networking forum for all well intervention activities, both by service providers and oil companies alike.”

Mr Taggart added: “I am pleased to have been chosen as co-chairman of ICoTA Europe. I want to help the organisation build on what it does best, ensuring we continue to offer the excellent opportunities for knowledge sharing and innovation that are recognised across the industry.”