Petrofac has appointed Chris Allen as director of health, safety, security, environment and integrity assurance (HSSEIA) for the group.

A well known industry figure with extensive safety and operational management experience in the oil & gas industry, Allen will succeed John Methven who announced his retirement from the Company last month.

In May 2009 Allen will join Petrofac from Oil & Gas UK where he has, since 2004, held the role of health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) director. During his tenure he has been responsible for representing the oil & gas industry to various regulators and government departments and has played a lead role in responding to key industry issues including the HSE's KP3 report on Asset Integrity.

Allen has first class credentials in both safety and oil & gas having started his career in the mid 1970s with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). He entered the oil & gas industry in 1985 working for Total in a variety of senior safety, operational and technical roles for both UK and international projects during 19 years with the international operator.

Chris said, "I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career. Having worked previously for an operator, regulator and trade association, moving into the service industry is a new challenge. Petrofac is a dynamic company and one in which I feel I can combine my recent industry experience with that of previous operational and technical roles working on international projects to make a significant contribution to the group at a time when safety has never been more important."

Petrofac's group chief executive Ayman Asfari said, "I am delighted that Chris will be joining Petrofac. The combination of his industry credentials, depth of experience in safety and knowledge of oil & gas operations, particularly in areas such as Asset Integrity, will ensure that we can continue to build upon the excellent work achieved by John Methven and his team to date. I look forward to welcoming him to Petrofac in May."

Tags: Petrofac