A Decade of Excellence: NGI Perth’s Journey and Future

As NGI Perth celebrates its 10th anniversary, we sat down with Noel Boylan, Managing Director of the Australian office and laboratory, to reflect on the past decade and look ahead.

The Decision to Open in Australia

Noel, who joined NGI in 2014, has been at the helm since 2017, guiding the office through significant growth and numerous impactful projects. Reflecting on the decision to open an office in Australia, Noel shares how it all started together with his old colleague, Andrew Deeks.

“Andrew was the first Managing Director of NGI Perth. He had a hard job – starting something from a blank page is no easy feat. When we joined NGI, we spent a couple of months in Norway at the headquarters in Oslo. Looking back, I think this was one of the most important things – it gave us a real opportunity to get to know the organization and understand what NGI is. Aside from technical things, we learned a lot about the NGI way, the history of the organization, and the culture.”

Managing Director Lars Andresen, located in Oslo, has travelled to Australia for the celebrations. He tells us how the establishment and growth of NGI Perth over the past decade have been a testament to NGI’s commitment to global expansion and local impact.

“What stands out to me the most is how the Perth office has integrated NGI’s values and expertise into the unique challenges and opportunities of the Asian-Pacific region.”

Clients and Projects

NGI Perth is mainly focused on serving the offshore energy industry. Noel tells us that clients range from operators and developers to contractors and other consultancies.

“Today, we are working on various developments in Australia and parts of the Asian-Pacific region – from gas developments to offshore renewables. In addition to our consultancy projects, we are also working on Research, Development & Innovation projects where we collaborate with universities and research groups to develop solutions for challenges specific to this region.”

Lars adds that the Perth office is crucial in advancing NGI’s mission to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to geotechnical challenges.

 “Their contributions, particularly in the offshore energy sector, have strengthened our presence in the Asian-Pacific region and enhanced our global reputation as leaders in offshore geotechnical engineering and research.”

Key Projects and Future Focus

When asked about the most important projects now and in the future, Noel emphasizes the significance of projects that support and enable the energy transition to a lower-carbon future.

“Within the Asian-Pacific region, there is a huge diversity of economies and pathways each country needs to take to achieve a lower carbon future. While supporting renewable energy development is important, we must support developments that provide energy security and enable countries to transition from reliance on coal to lower carbon fuels such as gas. NGI plays a key role in all of these developments, and we will continue to do so in the future.”

Looking ahead, Lars expresses his hopes for NGI Perth in the next decade: “I envision NGI Perth leading more groundbreaking projects, fostering stronger collaborations with local and international partners, and continuing to drive innovation in geotechnical solutions. The next decade holds immense potential, and I am confident that NGI Perth will continue to thrive and make significant contributions to our global mission.”

Making a Difference

Reflecting on how their work makes a difference, Noel shares: “Over the past 10 years, we have undertaken a wide range of projects. I see numerous examples of how we have met society's current needs and addressed future challenges. For instance, we are researching to design offshore wind foundations in carbonate soils. We are also supporting the early stages of the offshore wind industry in Australia. At the same time, we are aiding the development of more advanced offshore wind projects in the Asian-Pacific region. Every day, we are making a difference.”