Taproom Talks

OGV Group
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to Taproom Talks, the podcast diving deep into the energy sector's entrepreneurial and leaders minds.  Join us for candid conversations with leaders, exploring their journeys, leadership, product creation, investment strategies, and business sales.  We uncover their challenges, failures, and triumphs, from career beginnings to private equity insights.  Get inspired by the real stories shaping the future of energy. Tune in to uncork powerful narratives!

  1. The UK Operator Stamp: How John Anderson is Using North Sea Credibility to Win Big in Namibia and West Africa

    21H AGO

    The UK Operator Stamp: How John Anderson is Using North Sea Credibility to Win Big in Namibia and West Africa

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode Kenny Dooley is joined by John Anderson of Exceed, a Kent Company, and we learn that even the best-laid career plans can go wonderfully off track. How do you go from a trainee drilling engineer, getting hands-on, roughneck-level experience in the challenging Southern North Sea, to suddenly realizing you’ve spent 15 years on the commercial side of the business? John shares the story of how his self-proclaimed six-month stint overseeing contracts turned into a decade and a half, and what it’s like to wake up one morning as an industry veteran. John walks us through the high-stakes journey of Exceed—from its rebirth as a small team after a devastating downturn, to the strategic decision to join Kent. He details why finding the right cultural fit was non-negotiable during the managed sales process, and how Exceed’s status as a licensed UK well operator is now giving them a global footprint in new geographies like Namibia and West Africa. For a glimpse into the future, hear about their cutting-edge work in energy transition, where Exceed is helping to pioneer new API standards for hydrogen wells, even using NASA testing procedures to verify safety. When he’s not navigating complex international deals, John finds unique ways to switch off. Hear about his beloved Banchory petting zoo, home to a variety of animals including pygmy goats and potbelly pigs, and his passion project as Vice Chairman of Banchory Community Football Club, where he’s working on securing funding for a vital Astroturf pitch for the community’s 480 players. Don't be a sheep: pull up a chair, grab a pint, and join this warm, honest chat about building a legacy, embracing change, and the perks of seeing the world in the energy industry.

    42 min
  2. Digital Fatigue Is Real: Jason Brown on Why Operators Are Wasting Millions on Failed Tech—and How to Stop.

    APR 29

    Digital Fatigue Is Real: Jason Brown on Why Operators Are Wasting Millions on Failed Tech—and How to Stop.

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode Kenny Dooley is joined by Jason Brown of Elementz. Did you know the energy sector is currently suffering from "fatigue" over failed digital transformation and AI projects? Jason, the CEO of Elementz—an industrial software company focused on subsea inspection and integrated solutions—sits down to share how he helped flip that narrative. Hear the story of a mechanical engineer who started his career running the line at IBM before launching Elementz, which achieved an incredible £2 million in revenue in its first year by simply focusing on doing one thing really well for customers. Jason shares the secret behind Elementz's rapid success, explaining how their configurable, end-to-end framework for asset integrity resonated deeply with operators across the globe, from Canada to Australia. But the real deep dive here is on industry collaboration. Jason details the "Compass" model: a unique approach involving seven major operators working together to "compound" data and accelerate the adoption of AI. He breaks down how they are moving past costly pilot failures by protecting intellectual property within a trusted research environment and ensuring their technology actually solves core business problems. Beyond the tech, Jason doesn't hold back on his candid concerns over current UK energy policy, describing the trajectory as leading toward a "cliff edge" and worrying about losing skilled people to other global basins. From de-stressing with 80s indie rock and abstract art to the essential career advice he’d give a 20-year-old engineer (hint: it involves seeing the world), this conversation covers the personal journey just as much as the professional challenge. Pull up a chair and pour yourself a drink—this is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of the blue digital ecosystem

    41 min
  3. Ditching the 'Black Book': The Data-Driven Sales Pivot That Secured £2.5 Million - Colin Manson Pt.II

    APR 22

    Ditching the 'Black Book': The Data-Driven Sales Pivot That Secured £2.5 Million - Colin Manson Pt.II

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode Kenny Dooley is joined by Colin Manson of Xergy/ Proteus (formerly Xodus) for round two, diving deep into the realities of scaling a tech business. Ever wondered what the biggest mistake a founder can make when building a brand new product? Colin gets candid, sharing that trying to sell 25 ideas at once was "utter madness" for a startup, and why keeping your product idea as lean as possible is the ultimate secret weapon for getting to market fast. Now, having secured an oversubscribed funding round of nearly £2.5 million, Colin reveals how Proteus is shifting from relationship-based selling (the "black book") to a disciplined, data-driven sales approach. He details the strategic pivot, including partnering with a sales-as-a-service company and building pipelines across four key regions, including Australia and the UK. It’s not all successful funding rounds and global domination, though. Colin gets refreshingly honest about the seven-year journey, revealing the "dark moments" of loneliness and the heady, scary feeling that the business might not make it. He also delivers unfiltered, must-hear advice for any company considering overseas expansion, contrasting the challenging, payment-delayed landscape of the Middle East with the more welcoming opportunities found in the Australian market. He even shares the hilarious story of realizing his initial dismissal of a 400-page sales playbook was wrong, and that the company is now following it "to the letter". Pull up a chair and grab a drink for this brilliant conversation that offers genuine insight into the mind of a mature entrepreneur.

    55 min
  4. $15Bn and Counting: Sam Long on the UK's Decommissioning and the Risk of Losing the Supply Chain

    APR 15

    $15Bn and Counting: Sam Long on the UK's Decommissioning and the Risk of Losing the Supply Chain

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny is joined by Sam Long of Decom Mission, the specialist trade association for decommissioning across the oil, gas, nuclear, and renewables sectors. Sam, the Chief Executive Officer, shares his unique career path from growing up in a farming family in south-west England and being the son of a Natural History Unit member, to becoming Wood Group’s first environmental manager in the North Sea oil and gas industry in the early 2000s. Having been involved in decommissioning projects early in his career, Sam discusses how he views decommissioning as a critical "bridge activity" within the inevitable, decades-long energy transition.1The discussion explores the challenging dynamics of the decommissioning market, noting that while the UK is the number one global market, its domestic supply chain is fragile and heavily reliant on international activity for survival. Sam outlines the substantial uptick in UK decommissioning expected from 2027 through 2032, while simultaneously pointing to key international growth opportunities in Australia and Brazil. He also addresses industry challenges, including the high day rates caused by a shortage of vessels and the importance of reservoir isolation, which accounts for 50% of the decommissioning value but lacks the "glamor" of other projects like the Pioneer Spirit. The conversation closes with Sam reflecting on the cyclical ups and downs of Aberdeen's economy and his life outside of work, where he is a passionate cyclist and runner who has spent 15 years coaching youth and junior cycling.

    1h 5m
  5. **AMPLFY - BONUS EPISODE ** - 48 Hours to Execution: GDI Unlocks Shocking Speed in Offshore Repair and Fabrication

    MAR 26

    **AMPLFY - BONUS EPISODE ** - 48 Hours to Execution: GDI Unlocks Shocking Speed in Offshore Repair and Fabrication

    Send us Fan Mail Taproom Talks is taking an early 'Spring Break' but why not try out our newest addition to the Global Energy Network Podcast Family: 'AMPLFY - The Energy Supply Chain' This show is a spotlight for Members of our Global Network to share their products, services, journeys and culture you name it we want to hear about it! In this episode of AMPLIFY, host Dan Hyland is joined by Neil Shanks, Integrity Operations Manager for GDI, to discuss how digital twin technology is driving radical efficiency and safety in asset integrity within the energy sector. Neil, who previously managed 13 offshore assets for Repsol, explains how GDI's core platform, Vision, allows operators to move away from the traditional "bums on seats" model by onshoring critical work.  Learn about the technology's three core components—high-quality photos, Point Cloud models, and digital twin models—and how GDI layers software capabilities on top to provide real, actionable output. The discussion highlights key operational benefits: Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) that can reduce the need for offshore inspection execution by 60% to 70%. External Condition Assessment (SCA) that is six times faster than traditional methods. Optimizing Inspection Scopes using historic data and algorithms to target the right areas. Reducing Repair Times significantly, with examples of turning around full offshore execution within 48 hours. Neil also touches on GDI's growth since its founding in 2016, its recent acquisition by 'ocean you' which is opening opportunities like Vision Subsea, and the strategic integration of AI to support human expertise.  The episode concludes with Neil's view on the future of the industry, positioning asset integrity as the "conscience for the operator" to ensure continued safe production.

    22 min
  6. Fortitude: From the Tools to CEO – Steve Rae on Global Leadership and Safety Culture

    MAR 18

    Fortitude: From the Tools to CEO – Steve Rae on Global Leadership and Safety Culture

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode Kenny is joined by a returning guest as we dive into part 2 of Steve Rae's career journey.  If you missed part 1 Steve spoke about his experience before, during and after the 1988 Piper Alpha Disaster but this time we are focussing on Fortitude: Action beyond Compliance and his journey from the tools to VP and eventually CEO/Executive Director of Step Change in Safety.  Steve shares how he drove safety culture in diverse global operations, tackling challenges in Brazil and the "Wild West" environment of West Texas. The discussion also covers his intense role as a global HRC Director, his vision for internationalising Step Change in Safety, concerns about industry competence, and his tough but rewarding work as Chairman of the Pound for Piper charity, including the fallout from a memorial garden refurbishment plan. Finally, Steve offers leadership insights and career advice for the younger generation

    50 min
  7. From Furniture Sales to Global Executive Search: Mary McIntyre's 12-Week Formula for CEO Recruitment

    MAR 11

    From Furniture Sales to Global Executive Search: Mary McIntyre's 12-Week Formula for CEO Recruitment

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of taproom talks Kenny is joined by Mary McIntyre of Merrimac International, an executive search firm specialising in the global energy space, to discuss her extraordinary career journey. Mary shares how she navigated the challenging decision to buy out her company's Houston business during the tumultuous start of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a commitment to her team and clients. She elaborates on the foundation of Merrimac International's success: building trust and a culture based on high-integrity values. Mary also offers an insightful breakdown of the executive search process for senior roles, the biggest red flags to look out for in candidates, and her perspective on the consolidation and market outlook for the US energy sector.

    43 min
  8. 630 Days and Counting: Martin Copeland on the Political Gridlock Threatening the Future of North Sea

    MAR 4

    630 Days and Counting: Martin Copeland on the Political Gridlock Threatening the Future of North Sea

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode Kenny is joined by Martin Copeland of Serica Energy, the company's CFO, for a deep-dive conversation covering his 30-year career transition from a banking background in leveraged and M&A finance to his current role in the energy sector. The discussion focuses on Serica Energy's strategy for growth through M&A, including the merger with Tailwind and opportunistic acquisitions in the North Sea. Martin Copeland also shares his perspective on the significant challenges facing the UK oil and gas industry, particularly the impact of the Energy Profits Levy, the political climate in Aberdeen, and the critical need for government approval of new field developments like Rosebank and Jackdaw to restore confidence and activity in the basin.

    34 min
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About

Welcome to Taproom Talks, the podcast diving deep into the energy sector's entrepreneurial and leaders minds.  Join us for candid conversations with leaders, exploring their journeys, leadership, product creation, investment strategies, and business sales.  We uncover their challenges, failures, and triumphs, from career beginnings to private equity insights.  Get inspired by the real stories shaping the future of energy. Tune in to uncork powerful narratives!

Information

  • Creator
    OGV Group
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Taproom Talks
  • Show Website
    Taproom Talks

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