More Than a Game: What Football Teams Can Teach Us About Oil & Gas Projects

“If Oil & Gas Roles Were a Football Team…” 

With the World Cup bringing football back into everyday conversation, it’s hard not to think about what actually makes a team work. Beyond the highlight moments, there’s a structure behind it—people who don’t always get attention, but without whom nothing functions. 

The energy industry isn’t all that different. Speaking with people across Orion Group’s global network, it becomes clear how many roles it takes for a project to succeed. It’s always a team effort, even if everyone is doing something completely different. 

If oil and gas were a football team... 

It would start with the goalkeeper. Not the most glamorous position, and often only talked about when something goes wrong, but arguably the most important role in keeping everything together. Goalkeepers can go unnoticed for 90 minutes before becoming the hero in a penalty shootout. HSE professionals are much the same, working behind the scenes every day, while also being the people relied upon when an emergency response is needed most. 

In energy, that responsibility sits with HSE and safety professionals like Christopher Spies (Safety Operations Manager) and Vivian Amaliasari (HSE Coordinator). The people making sure nothing moves forward unless it can be done safely, properly, and with the right mindset. 

Christopher puts it simply: “Everything is first and foremost about safety—it must be performed safely.” Vivian adds something just as important but more human: “We are equal. The respect is there.” 

Ahead of them are the defenders. The ones doing the hard yards, keeping everything stable, fixing things before they become problems, and quietly making sure the whole system holds together. 

This is where people like Damien Trouillez (Welding Engineer) and Hugo Hermitau (Project Engineer) come in. 

Damien describes his work in a way that almost underplays it: “I'm taking two pieces of material and I'm joining them together.” Simple on paper, but in reality it's the kind of work that keeps projects moving safely and reliably. 

Hugo brings the reality check: “There are many hazards in oil and gas. The environment can present dangers.” 

It's a mix of precision and awareness that defines this part of the team, where getting it right the first time isn't just important—it's essential. These are often the roles that determine whether projects stay on schedule, remain safe, and continue moving forward without costly setbacks. 

Next comes midfield—the engine room of the operation. The people connecting everything together, solving problems as they appear, and making sure nothing falls out of sync. 

One of them is Kashan Ali (Digital Platform and DevOps Specialist Consultant). He sums it up neatly: “It's all about problem solving.” His role sits right between business needs and technical delivery: “Getting their requirements clarified so that we can convert them into implementation projects.” 

And like most modern roles in the industry, it's changing quickly. Kashan notes, “AI tools are helping me to write code and think about architectural design.” The game is evolving and isn't just about technical knowledge anymore, it's also about how quickly you can adapt to new tools, new systems, and new ways of working. 

Further up the pitch are the strikers. The project teams. The ones expected to deliver when it matters most, often under pressure and often in environments where things rarely go exactly to plan. 

John Delahunty (Project Manager) shares: “You can't manage projects from the office alone - you have to be in amongst it and understand what's happening on the ground.” 

And Gareth Davies (Engineer and Manager) adds the mindset behind it: “You're always looking ahead and mitigating any issues with the potential to trip up the project” 

It's about spotting problems before they become expensive ones and keeping everything moving when conditions aren't ideal. 

Then there’s the manager, the coaches, and the backroom staff. The people whose work often happens away from the spotlight, but whose planning, experience, and leadership give everyone else the platform to perform. They're making decisions, guiding direction, and often solving problems long before anyone else knows they exist. 

That perspective comes through strongly in people like Denny Munro (Mechanical Commissioning Engineer) and Garry Moon (Contracts Engineer). 

Denny reflects on high-pressure moments with a grounded honesty: “You learn very quickly that it's never just about you - it's about the team, the training, and staying calm enough to get the job done safely.” 

Garry, with over 40 years in contracting, brings a longer view of the same idea: “Over the years you realise experience isn't just something you gain - it's something you pass on. That's where the real value is in this industry.” 

In a team like this, experience isn't only personal progress, but also a part of how the next generation learns to play the game. 

If they’re the ones keeping everything steady when the pressure is on, then there are also the people who help shape who ends up on the pitch in the first place. 

That’s where people like Michael Da Costa (Recruitment Manager) come in. Not just placing people into roles, but understanding how they fit into a team dynamic once they’re there. 

As he puts it: “Who you work with and how you interact with those people is incredibly important.” 

Because it’s not just about filling positions, but about building combinations that actually work once the project starts. It's also where Orion Group's role becomes clear. Bringing projects to life isn't just about finding people with the right skills - it's about bringing together people who can work effectively as part of a team from day one. 

Whether it's a World Cup squad or a major energy project, success rarely comes down to a single moment or individual. It's built in the planning, the collaboration, and the trust between people when it matters most. 

Different roles. Different backgrounds. Different routes into the industry. But once the work begins, they're all part of the same team. 

See your position on the pitch – click here