NSTA 447 - Well Consents Manager

About the team

The Well Consents Team’s main role is to ensure that technical information required for well activity is submitted to the NSTA as required, and is subjected to appropriate internal review, and that consents for well activity are issued correctly and on time.

The existing team manages the daily well consents applications, which are handled in a dedicated web application known as the Well Operations and Notification System (WONS), accessed through the Energy Portal. Increasing decommissioning activity, ongoing regulatory changes and the imminent commencement of drilling on carbon storage licences means that more support is needed within the team.

The NSTA aims to create a diverse team of talented, committed individuals who are supported to develop their capability in a dynamic, busy organisation whilst promoting a positive work life balance. The NSTA considers that this role could be filled by successful candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. We encourage applicants to creatively consider the transferrable skills, experience and knowledge they may bring, to help us on our mission to deliver the energy transition.

Our goal is that the NSTA continues to be a ‘Great Place to Work’. Offering a flexible 37-hour week working environment with hybrid model (40% office working) and up to 2 accruable flex days per month. Work life balance is very important to us with a workplace culture that fosters collaboration, respect, and professionalism. In addition, we offer a range of benefits including a competitive pension - employer contribution (28.97%). 

Brief overview of role

The NSTA is seeking a Well Consents Manager, reporting to the Head of Technical Data, and working closely with an existing London based Well Consents Manager. This is a co-ordinating and regulatory compliance role and as such the successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring that the various online consent applications and notifications, required by the NSTA from well operators, are submitted correctly and on time and are reviewed by NSTA Teams according to internal procedures. The role sits within a broader Data Compliance Team. The Well Consents Manager will work closely with Data Compliance Team members on improving wellbore summary data. The Data Compliance Team has 8 members, 6 of which are based in Aberdeen.

The primary focus of the role will be managing applications in WONS. In 2024 around 750 applications for activity were received in the system and that high level continues. Around 75% are related to well decommissioning activities such as abandonment and suspension, but there are also applications to drill, and carry out other activities such as completing wells for production and applications for well testing. The team is also responsible for consents related to carbon storage wellbores.

Responsibilities will include managing the workload of applications, ensuring that they are promptly distributed to the correct NSTA internal review teams, liaising with those teams and external contacts at the operator to ensure any queries, errors or compliance gaps are addressed, and coordination with other government bodies, particularly the offshore environmental regulator (OPRED, part of DESNZ), to ensure that the proposed activity has the appropriate environmental clearances. The job holder will also contribute to the requirements gathering for a rewrite of the WONS system in 2026.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work within a dynamic team, engaging with stakeholders across the organization and industry and also support a key strategic activity that will help contribute to UK energy security and Net Zero.

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

• Act as a point of contact for strategic well consents matters within the NSTA, engaging with teams on wider aspects of well consent activity. This will include consideration of evolving regulatory requirements and associated procedural changes, input into internal / external guidance and training workshops and implementation of the Delegation Framework.
• Management of day-to-day casework, ensuring applications are received and correctly circulated to review teams on time and that they contain accurate and complete information, plus ensuring that timely, accurate and compliant consents are issued.
• Maintenance of the WONS “key register” of wellbore headers to ensure that data is correct and complete, in particular providing support to the wider compliance team on well header improvement initiatives.
• Supporting the compliance team with providing well header information for use in Information and Sample Plan (ISP) processing.
• Maintain well header and WONS application statistics through use of Power BI and liaise with developers on formulating new bespoke Power BI reports as required.
• Monthly Compliance checks of uploaded seismic surveys to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and data standards.
• Acting as a back up to other ‘Compliance Team’ members (Licence Event Coordinator / Compliance Manager / Technical Data Manager). This requires a broad knowledge of all aspects of data management to provide support when needed.

Person specification

Competence 1:          Leading & Communicating

The ability to communicate with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. Being able to communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact. Have exceptional interpersonal skills, enabling constructive engagement at all levels. You will need to communicate clearly via both in oral and written methods.  You will act in a fair and respectful way when dealing with internal and external stakeholders and be willing to ask questions and put forward your own ideas.       

Competence 2:          Delivery

Aptitude for working on numerous projects simultaneously with effective time to ensure that multiple stakeholders needs are met within required timeframes. Regularly monitor own work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance. You will need to take ownership of problems quickly, remaining positive and focused on achieving outcomes.    

Competence 3:          Collaborating and Partnering

Demonstrate collaborative working, sharing information and building supportive, responsive and respectful relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. You must have good interpersonal skills and be a good team player; able to work with technical specialist colleagues. You will seek to enhance your knowledge and skills through working with, and learning from, other individuals and teams in order to achieve results.                   

Competence 4:          Planning, Performing & Achieving

Objectives and improvements to the quality of service, taking account of diverse stakeholder needs and requirements. Effective planning, structured organisation of time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service. You will take ownership of tasks and plan, organise and manage your time and activities in order to deliver high quality and efficient service in support of the team’s and objectives.

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

Essential: 

• Proficient in meeting deadlines and effectively handling multiple priorities, all the while upholding accuracy and with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with technical specialists.
• Possesses strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Experience of casework, data management and skilled in analytical capabilities.
• Experience of working collaboratively with team members and stakeholders
• Experience of Microsoft products particularly Microsoft Excel with knowledge of GIS and Power BI.

Desirable: 

• A basic understanding of the well operations life cycle (from pre-drill planning through to final abandonment) plus wider knowledge of the upstream petroleum industry and its regulatory setting
• Some knowledge of the Energy Portal
• Broad knowledge of wider aspects of petroleum/geoscience data management
• Background knowledge of petroleum regulations in the UK