MCS Director Recognised by Society for Underwater Technology with Award

28 January 2009

An Aberdeen businessman and leading light in the subsea industry has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to furthering the fastest growing sector in the oil and gas industry.

Dr Patrick O'Brien, group executive director responsible for services and technology at international subsea engineering and software company MCS, has been presented with the Award of Merit by the Aberdeen branch of the Society for Underwater Technology.

With close to 25 years experience in the offshore oil and gas industry Dr O'Brien has led MCS through many changes from its beginnings as a university campus company to a global leader in the subsea engineering industry.

He was also the driving force behind Flexcom, MCS' finite element software for design of riser systems which has revolutionised subsea operations around the globe since it was launched into the marketplace in 1986.

Jim Mann, Aberdeen branch chairman, said: “SUT makes a number of awards each year to individuals involved in underwater technology, but these are predominantly through the SUT head office in London. The Aberdeen Branch Award of Merit was instigated locally to recognise the contributions made by people like Dr O'Brien, towards the aims of the SUT, the furtherance of underwater technology and, most importantly, in the support they offer to the branch in Aberdeen. Paddy is indeed a very worthy recipient.”

Dr O'Brien was presented with a silver quaich and certificate during an award ceremony at MCS' offices at Davidson House, Aberdeen Science and Technology Park.

He said: "I am delighted to have received this recognition from the SUT. The organisation has had a huge impact on furthering the understanding of the underwater environment, encouraging the sharing of ideas, information, research and technology among the industry and government and it is a source of great pride for me to be honoured in this way by an organisation of its calibre.”

A subsidiary of international energy services company, John Wood Group PLC, MCS is a subsea engineering company with offices in Galway, Aberdeen, Houston, Rio, Perth, Paris and Kuala Lumpur. It currently employs over 200 people and provides engineering solutions including riser design expertise, subsea integrity management and proprietary software, across a wide variety of projects worldwide.