Identify market problems or gaps. Define core value proposition. Complete feasibility studies. Initiate proprietary control of the solution.
Validate the innovative solution as an MVP with users or customers, compare with competing solutions & continuously gather feedback.
Prepare the unique solution for launch and scaling. Optimise the business model, market strategy & distribution channels.
Darren is an independent consultant with > 30 years global experience across the O&G industry focused on creating innovative solutions for the subsea installation and removal of pipelines and subsea facilities, supporting various E&P's and subsea contractors across the full lifecycle. Aside from core engineering capabilities he also has a proven track record in new venture management, technology, business development, strategy & project management. He was the sole inventor of X-Lay in 2020 and in Q1 2025 sold all Patents and IP to Restore Subsea Pty Ltd.
He has lived and worked in UK, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, PNG, China, Qatar, UAE, Brazil, Nigeria, USA & Norway. He thrives on respectfully challenging the status quo and working together with high performance teams, to help unlock value for customers.
Education: BEng & MBA.
Experience: Blue Ocean Offshore, DOF Subsea, Neptune, CUEL, Chevron, Clough, SS7 & McDermott.
Started with X-Lay: June 2020
Paul is an independent consultant with > 30 years global experience across the O&G industry. He is an accomplished C-Suite Executive Leader, Chairman, Non-Executive Director, and Advisor. His career has encompassed technical, project delivery, growth and strategy, business development, and executive leadership roles within E&Ps, Contractors & Engineering Consultants.
He is extensively networked across multiple industry segments and professional bodies, with strong connections across Australian State and Federal political landscapes.
He has lived and worked in UK, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. He is passionate about combining his broad-based executive leadership with deep subject matter expertise in risk and opportunity management, underpinned by a meticulous, governance-centered approach.
Education: MSc, MBA, GAICD
Experience: EDG, Scitech, Energy Club, Technip, AJ Lucas, Woodside, Nexus, Transfield Worley, Maersk Oil Qatar, Bexton & BHPB.
Started with X-Lay: March 2025
Ahmed is a subsea pipeline consultant with >20 years of international experience focused on the subsea engineering pipeline industry. A proven track record in new technology development, integrity, asset management and decommissioning. In addition to industry work, he is also supervising PhD engineering students at Curtin & UWA.
He has lived and worked in Egypt, Qatar & Indonesia. He thrives in solving complex technical challenges.
Education: Associate Professor Eng
Experience: Cladtek, UWA, Curtin, QatarEnergy, Worley, Wood, BP, KBR & GUPCO.
Started with X-Lay: Dec 2023.
Ian is an independent consultant and successful entrepreneur with > 40 years global commercial experience across multiple industries. He has taken various early-stage science and technology projects and new business model projects and created successful businesses.
He is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at INSEAD and a Facilitator of the CSIRO ON Accelerate program. He currently serves as an Executive Director and as a Non-Executive Director of several Australian and Singaporean university and government spinout Healthcare, MedTech and AgTechcompanies (Market Cap $4M to $40M) including: OxiDxPty Ltd, RespiradigmPty Ltd, REX Ortho Pty Ltd and BiolidicsLtd.
He has lived and worked in London, Milan, Gothenburg & Melbourne and has worked on significant projects in the USA, Asia and Japan. He thrives on empowering start-ups to achieve breakthrough success.
Education: MBA, AICD.
Experience: Yallingup Ventures, CSIRO, REX Ortho, Integrain, Verve Cycling, Perth Angels, Active Reece, Cytomatrix, Waardi, INSEAD, Apex, Repgen, Avanti Capital, Cordlife& Chromogenix
Started with X-Lay: Feb 2025.
Michael has > 20 years global commercial experience supporting executive management teams of a) subsea contractors direct to E&P's and b) specialist back deck service companies subcontracting to subsea contractors to deliver growth through strategic business development and commercial management.
He is a Commercial Consultant based in Saudi Arabia supporting International Maritime Industries within new build vessels and contracting. IMI is a Saudi Aramco JV and is the largest and most technically advanced maritime yard in the MENA region.
He has lived and worked in UK, Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Libya, Norway, Brazil, Bulgaria, Romania & Saudi Arabia. He thrives on driving growth, with a successful history of launching new products and services into niche markets and new regions, as well as leading teams to deliver full end-to-end product and service solutions.
Education: BSc - Business & Marketing.
Experience: IMI, MDL, Ariosh, DOF Subsea, GSP Offshore, Reef Subsea, Bureau Veritas.
Started with X-Lay: Feb 2025.
