Mike Adams joined Elemental Energies as CEO in 2023, bringing over two decades of international experience across the energy sector.
He began his career as a drilling engineer, working across the UK, Africa and Asia, before progressing into senior leadership roles. As General Manager of Norwell Engineering, he led global well engineering operations and played a key role in advancing digital capability through eLearning.
As CEO, Mike is focused on building a scalable, international energy services business, driving growth through acquisitions, strategic partnerships and market expansion. Under his leadership, Elemental Energies has completed multiple acquisitions and established joint ventures with Archer and Iceland Drilling, strengthening its position in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
A Chartered Engineer, Mike holds a BEng from the University of Aberdeen and the University of British Columbia.
Mike Adams joined Elemental Energies as CEO in 2023, bringing over two decades of international experience across the energy sector.
He began his career as a drilling engineer, working across the UK, Africa and Asia, before progressing into senior leadership roles. As General Manager of Norwell Engineering, he led global well engineering operations and played a key role in advancing digital capability through eLearning.
As CEO, Mike is focused on building a scalable, international energy services business, driving growth through acquisitions, strategic partnerships and market expansion. Under his leadership, Elemental Energies has completed multiple acquisitions and established joint ventures with Archer and Iceland Drilling, strengthening its position in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
A Chartered Engineer, Mike holds a BEng from the University of Aberdeen and the University of British Columbia.
Michael Dafforn is a finance specialist with over 25 years’ experience in structuring and trading roles within leading investment banks. Throughout his career, he has managed complex financing transactions across equities and fixed income markets, with a particular focus on private markets and long-term investment risk management.
Since joining Elemental Energies as CFO and Director in 2022, Michael has played a pivotal role in the company’s strategic growth, leading key acquisitions including Norwell Engineering, Senergy Wells, and Well Expertise. His expertise in capital deployment, due diligence, and transaction execution has been instrumental in expanding the company’s global reach and capability.
Michael holds a BSc (Hons) in M.O.R.S.E. from the University of Warwick and an MBA from INSEAD.
Michael Dafforn is a finance specialist with over 25 years’ experience in structuring and trading roles within leading investment banks. Throughout his career, he has managed complex financing transactions across equities and fixed income markets, with a particular focus on private markets and long-term investment risk management.
Since joining Elemental Energies as CFO and Director in 2022, Michael has played a pivotal role in the company’s strategic growth, leading key acquisitions including Norwell Engineering, Senergy Wells, and Well Expertise. His expertise in capital deployment, due diligence, and transaction execution has been instrumental in expanding the company’s global reach and capability.
Michael holds a BSc (Hons) in M.O.R.S.E. from the University of Warwick and an MBA from INSEAD.
Iain Adams is a highly experienced well engineering specialist with over 45 years in the oil and gas industry, having contributed to the delivery of more than 400 wells worldwide across a wide range of technical and geographic environments. His experience spans deepwater and onshore developments, HPHT appraisal programmes, and large-scale decommissioning and P&A projects.
Formerly Managing Director of Norwell Engineering, Iain has advised IOCs, NOCs, and regulators on well design, well control, and operational assurance. He has also provided expert technical support in high-profile industry incidents, including acting as an expert witness during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and supporting investigators during the Elgin Franklin gas leak.
As Technical Director at Elemental Energies, Iain plays a central role in technical governance, mentoring, and strategic oversight, ensuring safe and efficient well delivery across global operations. He holds a BSc (Eng) from the University of Aberdeen and is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute.
Iain Adams is a highly experienced well engineering specialist with over 45 years in the oil and gas industry, having contributed to the delivery of more than 400 wells worldwide across a wide range of technical and geographic environments. His experience spans deepwater and onshore developments, HPHT appraisal programmes, and large-scale decommissioning and P&A projects.
Formerly Managing Director of Norwell Engineering, Iain has advised IOCs, NOCs, and regulators on well design, well control, and operational assurance. He has also provided expert technical support in high-profile industry incidents, including acting as an expert witness during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and supporting investigators during the Elgin Franklin gas leak.
As Technical Director at Elemental Energies, Iain plays a central role in technical governance, mentoring, and strategic oversight, ensuring safe and efficient well delivery across global operations. He holds a BSc (Eng) from the University of Aberdeen and is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute.
Sigve Næsheim serves as CEO of Well Expertise and MD of Elemental Energies Norway. With over 40 years of experience in well engineering and project management, he has led major operational and technical teams across the global energy sector.
Sigve is a recognised leader in well management and safety, with extensive experience spanning offshore supervision of subsea drilling, deepwater and HPHT operations, as well as P&A and MPD completion and intervention activities. He is a certified rig surveyor and IWCF well control instructor, with a strong track record of leading high-performing, multi-cultural teams and delivering complex projects safely and efficiently.
He holds a BSc and MSc in Petroleum Engineering from University of Stavanger and a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University School of Business.
Sigve Næsheim serves as CEO of Well Expertise and MD of Elemental Energies Norway. With over 40 years of experience in well engineering and project management, he has led major operational and technical teams across the global energy sector.
Sigve is a recognised leader in well management and safety, with extensive experience spanning offshore supervision of subsea drilling, deepwater and HPHT operations, as well as P&A and MPD completion and intervention activities. He is a certified rig surveyor and IWCF well control instructor, with a strong track record of leading high-performing, multi-cultural teams and delivering complex projects safely and efficiently.
He holds a BSc and MSc in Petroleum Engineering from University of Stavanger and a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University School of Business.
Julie Copland is Head of Wells at Elemental Energies, leading a multi-disciplinary team across completions, interventions, well testing, integrity, abandonment engineering, and production technology. With over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, she has delivered projects across the UK and internationally, spanning production technology, completion design, well testing, interventions, and well abandonment.
Julie has led major P&A, CCS, and production technology projects, including high-profile abandonment campaigns and global decommissioning scopes. She plays a key role in developing technical strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and guiding integrated project teams across complex well portfolios.
She is an active contributor to industry working groups and regularly presents at conferences, as well as guest lecturing on well integrity and P&A at Robert Gordon University.
Julie holds a BSc (Hons) in Geology and Petroleum Geology from the University of Aberdeen.
Julie Copland is Head of Wells at Elemental Energies, leading a multi-disciplinary team across completions, interventions, well testing, integrity, abandonment engineering, and production technology. With over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, she has delivered projects across the UK and internationally, spanning production technology, completion design, well testing, interventions, and well abandonment.
Julie has led major P&A, CCS, and production technology projects, including high-profile abandonment campaigns and global decommissioning scopes. She plays a key role in developing technical strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and guiding integrated project teams across complex well portfolios.
She is an active contributor to industry working groups and regularly presents at conferences, as well as guest lecturing on well integrity and P&A at Robert Gordon University.
Julie holds a BSc (Hons) in Geology and Petroleum Geology from the University of Aberdeen.
Dave Hardy is Head of Subsurface at Elemental Energies, bringing over 33 years of experience as a reservoir geologist and project manager in the energy industry.
He has led and built multidisciplinary teams, delivering technical studies for field development, carbon capture and storage (CCS), mature field redevelopment, and well abandonment projects across the UK and internationally.
Dave is an expert in reservoir modelling and has managed major subsurface evaluations for acquisitions, due diligence, and asset transitions. His experience spans integrated CCS projects, large-scale well abandonment campaigns, and fractured reservoir studies.
Dave holds an MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and Management from Heriot-Watt University and a BSc in Geology from the University of Glasgow. He is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and GESGB.
Dave Hardy is Head of Subsurface at Elemental Energies, bringing over 33 years of experience as a reservoir geologist and project manager in the energy industry.
He has led and built multidisciplinary teams, delivering technical studies for field development, carbon capture and storage (CCS), mature field redevelopment, and well abandonment projects across the UK and internationally.
Dave is an expert in reservoir modelling and has managed major subsurface evaluations for acquisitions, due diligence, and asset transitions. His experience spans integrated CCS projects, large-scale well abandonment campaigns, and fractured reservoir studies.
Dave holds an MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and Management from Heriot-Watt University and a BSc in Geology from the University of Glasgow. He is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and GESGB.
Ross Provan joined Elemental Energies in 2024 as Head of Decommissioning Solutions. With over 18 years of experience spanning drilling, topsides, subsea, subsurface, asset operations, and major capital projects, Ross offers a combination of technical breadth and strategic leadership. He has delivered some of the world’s largest decommissioning projects, both in the UKCS and internationally, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and cost reduction.
At Elemental Energies, Ross leads the Decommissioning Solutions business, delivering integrated and modular services across the full decommissioning work breakdown structure.
A Chartered Mechanical Engineer (CEng IMechE), Ross holds both an MEng in Engineering and an MBA.
Ross Provan joined Elemental Energies in 2024 as Head of Decommissioning Solutions. With over 18 years of experience spanning drilling, topsides, subsea, subsurface, asset operations, and major capital projects, Ross offers a combination of technical breadth and strategic leadership. He has delivered some of the world’s largest decommissioning projects, both in the UKCS and internationally, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and cost reduction.
At Elemental Energies, Ross leads the Decommissioning Solutions business, delivering integrated and modular services across the full decommissioning work breakdown structure.
A Chartered Mechanical Engineer (CEng IMechE), Ross holds both an MEng in Engineering and an MBA.
Mike Byrne leads Elemental Energies’ Well Technology team, drawing on extensive experience in well integrity, CO₂ storage, and technology innovation.
He is a world-renowned expert in formation damage and rock properties, pioneering advances in core analysis, sand management, and formation damage evaluation to improve well productivity and injectivity.
Mike’s technical leadership covers drilling and completion fluid evaluation, fines migration, acidisation, and injection water quality.
He is a prolific SPE Distinguished Lecturer, technical editor, and recipient of the SPE Aberdeen Section award for outstanding contribution to drilling engineering. He also currently serves on the North Sea Operators Well Productivity Network steering committee.
Mike holds a BSc in Geology and Mathematics from University College Dublin, has authored numerous industry publications, and holds multiple patents.
Mike Byrne leads Elemental Energies’ Well Technology team, drawing on extensive experience in well integrity, CO₂ storage, and technology innovation.
He is a world-renowned expert in formation damage and rock properties, pioneering advances in core analysis, sand management, and formation damage evaluation to improve well productivity and injectivity.
Mike’s technical leadership covers drilling and completion fluid evaluation, fines migration, acidisation, and injection water quality.
He is a prolific SPE Distinguished Lecturer, technical editor, and recipient of the SPE Aberdeen Section award for outstanding contribution to drilling engineering. He also currently serves on the North Sea Operators Well Productivity Network steering committee.
Mike holds a BSc in Geology and Mathematics from University College Dublin, has authored numerous industry publications, and holds multiple patents.
Ulla Norval is a highly experienced energy consultant with over 33 years in oil & gas, and energy transition projects. She has led numerous early-phase and Pre-FEED studies across the UK and internationally where the focus has been on maximising project value through optimal development decisions and production optimisation.
Ulla’s portfolio includes managing complex offshore and onshore energy development projects in E&P, gas storage and decarbonisation, such as CCS and hydrogen, and providing owner’s engineering as part of client integrated project management teams. She excels in concept selection, risk analysis, and integrated (facilities and subsurface) concept optimisation, supporting due diligence and independent reviews for North Sea and international assets.
Ulla is known for her structured approach, stakeholder engagement and ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. She holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Law, and is recognised for delivering pragmatic, cost-effective solutions for both greenfield and brownfield scopes.
Ulla Norval is a highly experienced energy consultant with over 33 years in oil & gas, and energy transition projects. She has led numerous early-phase and Pre-FEED studies across the UK and internationally where the focus has been on maximising project value through optimal development decisions and production optimisation.
Ulla’s portfolio includes managing complex offshore and onshore energy development projects in E&P, gas storage and decarbonisation, such as CCS and hydrogen, and providing owner’s engineering as part of client integrated project management teams. She excels in concept selection, risk analysis, and integrated (facilities and subsurface) concept optimisation, supporting due diligence and independent reviews for North Sea and international assets.
Ulla is known for her structured approach, stakeholder engagement and ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. She holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Law, and is recognised for delivering pragmatic, cost-effective solutions for both greenfield and brownfield scopes.
Britney Houvet leads business development at Elemental Energies, bringing over 20 years of experience in international growth, commercial strategy, and partner network management across the energy sector.
Since joining in 2023, she has driven major contract awards and sustained pipeline growth, leveraging her expertise in M&A integration, market positioning, and targeted communications. Britney is also Chair of Women in Decommissioning (WiD), reflecting her commitment to industry advancement and diversity.
Her career spans the UK, Middle East, and Europe, with a proven record in developing and implementing strategies for business expansion. Britney holds a degree in Law and Management from Robert Gordon University.
Britney Houvet leads business development at Elemental Energies, bringing over 20 years of experience in international growth, commercial strategy, and partner network management across the energy sector.
Since joining in 2023, she has driven major contract awards and sustained pipeline growth, leveraging her expertise in M&A integration, market positioning, and targeted communications. Britney is also Chair of Women in Decommissioning (WiD), reflecting her commitment to industry advancement and diversity.
Her career spans the UK, Middle East, and Europe, with a proven record in developing and implementing strategies for business expansion. Britney holds a degree in Law and Management from Robert Gordon University.
Iain Farrow is responsible for overseeing the Elemental Energies Archer joint venture.
A Chartered Engineer with over 19 years’ experience in well engineering, Iain specialises in well construction, decommissioning, and offshore operations.
He has led integrated plug and abandonment strategies through the Archer Elemental JV and is dedicated to developing and executing comprehensive project support strategies for clients in the oil and gas industry.
Iain was previously Technical Authority for an operator, responsible for well design and abandonment, overseeing major campaigns and management system rebuilds. He has contributed to industry standards via OEUK, SPE, NZTC, and NSTA, and chaired the OEUK Well Abandonment Operators Network.
Iain holds an MEng (Hons) in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a European Engineer, and an International Professional Engineer.
Iain Farrow is responsible for overseeing the Elemental Energies Archer joint venture.
A Chartered Engineer with over 19 years’ experience in well engineering, Iain specialises in well construction, decommissioning, and offshore operations.
He has led integrated plug and abandonment strategies through the Archer Elemental JV and is dedicated to developing and executing comprehensive project support strategies for clients in the oil and gas industry.
Iain was previously Technical Authority for an operator, responsible for well design and abandonment, overseeing major campaigns and management system rebuilds. He has contributed to industry standards via OEUK, SPE, NZTC, and NSTA, and chaired the OEUK Well Abandonment Operators Network.
Iain holds an MEng (Hons) in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a European Engineer, and an International Professional Engineer.
Helge Nyrønning is an experienced energy executive with around 30 years’ experience across operators, service companies, and technology providers. His career has spanned reservoir evaluation, stochastic modelling, and full-field uncertainty analysis, supporting major Norwegian Continental Shelf operators including Equinor and Norsk Hydro.
He has also held leadership roles bridging energy and digital, including positions with Roxar and Sun Microsystems Norway. Prior to joining Applied Petroleum Technology (APT) as Group CEO in 2019, Helge spent over a decade in senior management roles with Aker Solutions and AGR, where he led global business development and served as CEO of First Geo.
Helge holds a Cand.Scient. in Applied Mathematics and a BSc in Machine Engineering and Economics.
Helge Nyrønning is an experienced energy executive with around 30 years’ experience across operators, service companies, and technology providers. His career has spanned reservoir evaluation, stochastic modelling, and full-field uncertainty analysis, supporting major Norwegian Continental Shelf operators including Equinor and Norsk Hydro.
He has also held leadership roles bridging energy and digital, including positions with Roxar and Sun Microsystems Norway. Prior to joining Applied Petroleum Technology (APT) as Group CEO in 2019, Helge spent over a decade in senior management roles with Aker Solutions and AGR, where he led global business development and served as CEO of First Geo.
Helge holds a Cand.Scient. in Applied Mathematics and a BSc in Machine Engineering and Economics.
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