Amanda Johnson

David Lowther’s journey from a civil engineering graduate to a leader in the oil and gas industry embodies a blend of innovation, foresight and strategic acumen. With over three decades of experience, David has played pivotal roles in executing complex and high-value projects globally. In this interview, we delve into his career path, achievements and personal interests to uncover the story behind his professional success and personal passions.

Transition from Civil Engineering to Oil and Gas

David began his career journey at Edinburgh University, earning a First-class Honors degree in civil engineering. However, he soon recognized the limitations within the UK’s civil engineering sector. “After qualifying as a Civil Engineer, I discovered that in the UK, Civil Engineering was considerably undervalued with limited opportunity for overseas working,” David explains. Heeding a friend’s advice, he transitioned into the oil and gas sector, marking the start of a notable career.

A Career Defined by Innovation and Leadership

David Lowther’s academic journey commenced at Edinburgh University, where he attained a first-class honors degree in Civil Engineering, in an unconventional setting. “Our engineering faculty was housed in a collection of portacabins, quite a distance from the main campus. This unusual setup turned out to be an unexpected preparation for my future career in offshore oil and gas,” David recalls with a chuckle.

After graduation, David embarked on a pivotal role as a Research Associate for BP Exploration. His responsibilities included a detailed 16-month research project examining various fishing fleets, dropped objects, and mooring systems across the North Sea. This project, in collaboration with Professor Colin MacFarlane, culminated in a comprehensive report provided to BP Exploration.

David’s career trajectory then led him to a commercial diving company in Aberdeen named 2W, which evolved over 12 years into Subsea7. His tenure at Subsea7 spanned more than two decades and was marked by significant growth and leadership in various capacities:

• Initially, David spent seven years focusing on the design of pipelines and structures, along with project engineering.
• This was followed by seven years as a Project Manager, overseeing EPCI projects for pipelines and both fixed and floating platforms.
• The final eight years at Subsea7 saw David in the role of Project Director and BD Manager, spearheading major offshore developments in joint ventures and consortiums.

Among the major projects he managed were the Brunei Shell Champion 6, Shell Malampaya in the Philippines, Santos Energy’s Mutineer/Exeter in Australia and the Murphy Kikeh Development in Malaysia.

David’s expertise and leadership eventually led him to a role with Samsung Heavy Industries as the Operational Lead for Mergers and Acquisitions, where he was integral in the screening and evaluation of potential acquisition targets. His return to Singapore saw him join EMAS AMC Pte Ltd as COO, navigating the company through exceedingly challenging market conditions and through a bankruptcy restructuring and sale of the company to SubSea7.

Rejoining Subsea7 as Vice President of Asia Pacific and Middle East, David managed significant projects including the pioneering Hasbah II Gas Project in Saudi Arabia, notable for its introduction of dynamic positioning (DP) in shallow water pipelay and platform installations—a transformative step for the industry in the Middle East. David’s leadership not only advanced technological standards but also significantly reduced project timelines, setting a new precedent for offshore operations in the region.

Current Role and Daily Dynamics at INCITIAS

At INCITIAS, David is consistently involved in business development and hands-on project management, where no two days are alike. His responsibilities include meeting with project developers, potential partners and investigating OEM and fabricators for local manufacturing. “Looking for new opportunities, with either existing or new clients,” is what David describes as his favourite part of the job. He thrives on networking and uncovering client needs, which are “quite varied.”