James Johnstone is a Chartered Scientist, recognised Production Chemistry Technical Authority and a certified Lead Auditor in Asset Management. With 30 years diverse Oil & Gas experience from Field Chemist to Senior Consultant, he delivers global specialist consultancy on Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), infrastructure integrity, and asset assurance to operators of both conventional and unconventional production assets.

Whilst his contribution to enhancing Oil & Gas production may seem out of sync with NetZero strategies, it is in the context of increasing short and medium-term hydrocarbon recovery (avg. only 33%) from existing production fields to meet current demand.

Providing this bridge to greener energy, negates the need to find, build, develop and exploit new Oil & Gas fields with carbon costs significantly higher than those associated with sustaining existing fields for a few more years. This also reduces Oil & Gas CAPEX demand that can be redirected to accelerate the development of NetZero supporting technologies.

Recognised as a subject matter expert by the Society Petroleum Engineers (SPE), he sits on Global HSE & Sustainability and Production & Facilities Advisory Committees as well as the Water Life Cycle & Strategy Technical Committee and the 2021 Awards & Recognition Standing Committee.

As a technical specialist; WQQM (Water Quality & Quantity Management), Integrity/Corrosion mitigation and improving performance and efficiency of complex process systems are probably my most relatable skills.

Having also worked in technology development/implementation in big Oil & Gas companies (with start-ups), I’m skilled at project delivery, ensuring both commercial viability and TRL (technical readiness) progress meets stakeholder expectations.

I’m pretty good with audit processes as well, working both sides. Developing ISO-compliant management systems and also conducting audits on behalf of certification bodies like SGS, DNV.