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

Send us Fan MailIn 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.