Meet our people
Our people play a major part in our success. Meet some of them here and find out what they have to say about their work, living in Edinburgh and what it's like to work at Cairn.
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Pierre
Principal Explorationist
BA (Earth Sciences), PhD (Geology) -
Sinead
Senior Group Accountant (Planning)
BSc (Hons), ACMA -
Ben
New Business Manager
MBA, MA (HONS)
'The culture is highly innovative, decision making is fast and there's a total focus on pursuing opportunities.'
After working at a large oil and gas company, I was keen to move to Cairn. I felt I’d really be able to make a difference at a smaller organisation, and I was right. Here the culture is highly innovative, decision making is fast and there’s a total focus on pursuing opportunities.
I’m working on the Greenland project now and it’s a fantastic experience. There’s such variety in the geology and it’s great to be drilling exploration wells. Four are planned for this year alone. There have been many highlights over the years though. I’ve worked overseas twice – once in Chennai in South India and once in Delhi. But without doubt, the biggest highlight was working with the team that in 2004 discovered the Mangala field in Rajasthan, the largest onshore oil find in India in more than 20 years.
I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here. That the geology is always different from what we expect for instance – and our models should always expect the unexpected. I’ve also had too many development opportunities to mention here – everything from management and technical training to taking part in pilot programmes and field trips. As for the future, I look forward to drilling more exploration wells in new basins – and to carrying on enjoying a walk to work that takes just 20 minutes.
I knew Cairn had great people and an impressive reputation.
My team is part of the Planning and Management reporting department. We deliver the accurate planning and forecasting that keeps our decision-makers well informed.
We rely heavily on up-to-date information from various budget holders, so I need to make sure we’re all communicating in the right way at the right time. What I enjoy most is the variety and the opportunities to build my business know-how, both strategic and operational.
I’m developing a good understanding of the oil and gas industry too. I joined Cairn just three months ago from a utilities business, but I’ve already had quite a bit of training on our industry and what drives it. I knew Cairn had great people and an impressive reputation.
But I was surprised to discover how much trust the firm has in its employees – something rare in the current economic climate. It’s certainly more people focused than my previous company, with a long list of employee rewards, both formal and informal.
Being based in Edinburgh is another plus. As well as an easy commute, it offers the friendliness of a small town rather than a big city, an excellent mix of culture and history, and a great range of bars and restaurants for after-work socialising.
We're all encouraged to take responsibility and use our initiative.
I've been in this role since 2008, buying and selling assets and negotiating contracts. I have to be creative to find opportunities that others have overlooked, but also disciplined so that I can make sure the deal will add value to the company. The skills are a mix of commercial and legal acumen, relationship building and managing all the strands that have to come together for a deal to happen. I need to get it right, particularly as my recommendations usually feed straight into the CEO.
We have an energetic, agile team which punches well above its weight, and that’s what initially attracted me. The culture is entrepreneurial and we’re all encouraged to take responsibility and use our initiative. But there’s plenty of support too. Cairn has enabled me to work on project teams in fields that are unfamiliar, paid over 50% of the cost of my MBA and sent me on an eight-month secondment to our Indian affiliate. Rather than offering a fixed career path, the company develops people by challenging them to perform outside their comfort zones. Now I’m looking forward to helping find new M&A opportunities and positioning the company for the next phase of growth.
Life outside work is great too with a huge range of things to do. Beaches, golf courses and mountains are in easy reach, and the Highlands and west coast are just a few hours away.
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Rachel
Senior Geophysicist
PhD (Exploration Seismology), P.Geoph, P.Geol (APEGGA) -
Duncan
Deputy Head of Legal
LLB (Hons), Dip LP -
Natalie
Explorationist
BSc (Hons) Earth Science, MSc Geoscience for subsurface exploration, appraisal and development
I was surprised to find the Chairman by my desk one day asking geotechnical questions about drilling wells.
I'd spent a lot of time at the drilling and post-well analysis side of exploration. Now I work at the frontier edge and enjoy all the challenges that come with that. There’s a lack of seismic data and calibration points for instance, but you can use your imagination, hypothesise and ultimately test your models using boreholes. I really enjoy the thrill of the chase – discovering where the oil was generated and where it’s gone.
Right now I’m working on one area that’s actively drilling and one in the early exploration phase. My highlight has been the start of drilling in West Greenland. We refine the prognosis as information becomes available so we’re constantly updating the geological and geophysical models. And, of course, the exhilaration of seeing the first hydrocarbon makes it all worthwhile.
Because Cairn is small there’s a lack of bureaucracy. I was surprised to find the Chairman, Sir Bill Gammell, by my desk one day asking geotechnical questions about drilling wells. It’s refreshing that there are no barriers between the executive and explorations teams and that decisions are made swiftly. Add the fact I can stroll to work and enjoy excellent motorcycling in the surrounding hills, and I couldn’t be in a better place.
Every day brings something new and interesting.
I provide legal support to the Edinburgh office, spending most of time right now advising on our work in Greenland.
I’m involved in a huge range of issues, in some tough negotiations and in transactions that can be ground-breaking. My role’s taken me to many far-flung places, including India, where I’ve taken part in high-level meetings with Government departments. Every day brings something new and interesting.
I was seconded to Cairn in 2004 from a commercial law firm and was delighted to be offered a full-time role. Here I‘ve been able to gain far wider experience and enjoy greater responsibility. I’ve also found Cairn much more flexible in terms of both career development and working practices. I didn’t have an oil and gas background, but Cairn gave me a lot of support, sending me on courses to improve my industry knowledge. Since joining as a Solicitor I’ve been appointed Deputy Head of Legal and have also worked closely with the Greenland Asset, helping to deputise for the Asset Manager.
I think my time here has made me more rounded. I’ve visited parts of the world I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, and seen the industry and the work I do from the perspectives of different stakeholders – ranging from foreign governments and national oil companies to NGOs, shareholders and advisers.
At Cairn, your development is in your control.
I define and deliate drillable prospects by interpreting seismic data. Then I carry out a volumetric assessment to work out the likely volume of hydrocarbons. At my level, peer review is crucial to this process so I’m always keen to get the opinion of the whole team.
The biggest challenge of working on data in a frontier area is there’s no calibration, so you don’t know if your model is correct. But thanks to the pace of our exploration strategy, you quickly get to find out.
Since I joined Cairn in 2009, right after my MSc, I’ve sampled life on a jackup rig in offshore Tunisia – invaluable in developing my knowledge of operations geology. I also spent four weeks on a seismic vessel offshore Greenland, getting an incredible insight into seismic acquisition and processing as well as the chance to see some spectacular scenery. The culture here is really friendly and open, right from the top down. I’ve learned a lot from experienced colleagues as well as from a host of industry-recognised courses in everything from seismic interpretation and operations geology to time management and problem solving. At Cairn your development is in your control – something I think is a big plus.
Head office
50 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9BY
T +44 131 475 3000
F +44 131 475 3030
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