Your Technical Discipline – Geologist/Geophysicist
Time in the energy industry – 22 years
Time with Xodus – 1 year

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT XODUS?

I am part of a new geophysical team that was acquired by Xodus last year to support all offshore energy projects. We’ve been delivering standalone geophysics for 20 plus years, now that we are teamed up with a global consultancy, we get to see our work right through the project lifecycle.

HOW DOES THIS ROLE SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY? 

The work me and the team here at Xodus have done, is both integral and critical to offshore wind developments. Geology and geophysics are at the tip of the spear of project development, site investigation takes a significant amount of time, planning and expertise but is at the core of project design. Prior to coming to Xodus, I worked offshore as a processor and client rep for most of the offshore wind developers here on the East Coast. Through the work I do, you can often reveal a constraint that either requires re-routing the export cable, moving the monopile location, or finding an alternate cable landing. Until you build the geophysical ground model, you’re essentially in a hold pattern on the construction operations plan.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR OFFSHORE WIND IN THE US? 

There’s a lot to be excited about, renewable energy, new projects for the U.S. economy, start-up companies trying to get into the industry, and opportunities everywhere you turn. But for me, it’s all about the people. The energy sector has had its ups and downs for decades, especially for geoscientists. Now with some firm footing and solid industry demand for talent, there is so much opportunity for geoscientists offshore and onshore.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST RISKS THAT OW DEVELOPERS FACE RIGHT NOW IN THE NORTH EAST?

There are a lot of risks, the political environment is uncertain and the weather is unpredictable. These uncertainties can cost millions in actual dollars, time loss, and missing deadlines. The developers have figured out many of these obstacles but will need significant guidance going forward. Some of the developers have been doing this a long time and have vision, others are learning and bringing in consultants like Xodus to support them.