Q&A: How is Kent Leveraging 100 Years' Experience in Energy?

Integrated energy services company Kent boasts a robust workforce of over 13,000 employees across 34 different countries, all dedicated to propelling the energy industry forward.

Kent provides a comprehensive array of energy services, spread across sectors notably in engineering and consultation. The company's expertise covers emerging and sustainable areas like offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture technologies as well as oil and gas.

In 2021 Kent appointed John Kent as the Chief Energy Transition Officer, a move as part of the company’s wider goal of generating a third of its revenue from low-carbon and renewable sources by 2027.

Michael Deighton, SVP Operations at Kent, shraes in this Q&A how the company is utilising its rich history of over a century to innovate within the energy sector.

Please introduce yourself and your role

My name is Michael Deighton and I am a Senior Vice President at Kent, where I lead both the Project Management Office (PMO) and our Centre of Excellence (CoE). 

In my role with the PMO, I am responsible for driving overall project governance, ensuring our projects are set up for success, continually reviewing and improving performance, and equipping teams with systems and tools that are fit for purpose. 

As the head of the CoE, my focus is on sharpening Kent's competitive edge by staying ahead of industry trends, deploying cutting-edge technology and fostering innovation to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions. 

My dual mandate is to drive operational excellence while positioning Kent as a leader in project services across the energy sector.

What is Kent and how does it positively contribute to the energy space?

At Kent, we design, build and maintain the energy assets that power today’s world while preparing for a more sustainable future. 

Our mission is simple but bold: to tackle the world’s biggest energy challenges and deliver the energy we need in the most responsible way possible.

We believe in making a difference every day — not just by shaping a better, greener future but also by addressing today’s realities head-on. That means decarbonising traditional energy sources, improving processes wherever we can and meeting the world’s current energy needs responsibly.

At the same time, we’re deeply committed to advancing renewable energy. We’re growing and investing in areas like hydrogen, energy storage and offshore wind — all driven by the incredible talent and expertise of our people.

How is Kent leveraging digital innovation to enhance energy asset management and accelerate project delivery in the rapidly evolving energy sector?

At Kent, we’re using digital innovation to transform how energy assets are managed and projects are delivered. 

One standout example is our Digital Solutions team, led by Wassim Ghadban, who developed our in-house AI platform, Ennova AI. 

This platform is designed to support the entire lifecycle of energy assets — from design and construction to operations and maintenance — while adapting to the unique needs of each client, whether through cloud-based or on-premises setups.

Ennova AI makes managing assets smarter and more intuitive. 

With immersive simulations, live data streaming and real-time visualisations, it helps teams make faster, better decisions. 

Features like dynamic design reviews, advanced analytics and streamlined construction sequencing simplify complex processes, while tools like Asset Information Management (AIM) and remote monitoring give operators the confidence to run high-performing systems. Ennova even includes an AI-powered industrial co-pilot for added support in daily operations.

The platform seamlessly integrates with third-party systems and works hand-in-hand with Kent’s proprietary AI solutions, such as the Virtual Flow Meter, Advanced Process Control and AI Autopilot, to unlock even greater efficiency and insight. 

It’s all about combining cutting-edge technology with real-world expertise to make energy projects better, faster and more sustainable.

What key lessons and innovations from Kent's involvement in the US$50bn Tengiz Field project can be applied to future large-scale energy developments?

Kent’s work on the Tengiz Field project offered invaluable insights into managing complex, large-scale energy developments. 

Key lessons include:

• Pioneer team setup: Early mobilisation of a Pioneer Team ensured critical pre-planning, addressing challenges in communication, logistics and training, which paved the way for a successful project launch
• Enhanced communications: Establishing robust systems like satellite phones ensured operational continuity during internet and phone outages, safeguarding critical decision-making
• Streamlined administration: Developing efficient processes, including Fit for Purpose rotation schedules and improved timesheet systems, minimised delays and increased workforce efficiency
• Strategic recruitment and onboarding: Aligning recruitment with client needs and implementing a robust Verification of Competency (VOC) programme ensured the team was prepared and met high standards
• Robust training programmes: Well-planned onboarding and VOC classes ensured workforce readiness and operational excellence
• Contingency planning: Proactive strategies helped mitigate unforeseen challenges, maintaining resilience and continuity.

The Kent Global Centre of Excellence ensures these lessons are institutionalised, refining practices and deploying fit-for-purpose technologies across projects. 

By fostering innovation and adaptability, Kent continues to lead in delivering effective and efficient energy projects worldwide.

What role does Kent's Carbon Intensity Reduction Package play in helping energy companies transition towards more sustainable operations?

Kent's Carbon Intensity Reduction Package is a practical tool that helps energy companies identify ways to lower their greenhouse gas emissions while balancing costs and benefits.

It evaluates how changes to operations or physical processes could impact emissions, giving clients a clear roadmap for sustainable improvements.

One of its key features is its integration with Kent’s MeasCap tool. MeasCap analyses an asset's process simulation model to assess plant performance and how it affects operations over time. 

The Carbon Intensity Reduction Package builds on this data to calculate emissions from various sources, offering targeted solutions to help clients hit their emissions reduction goals. 

The result is a tailored approach that achieves meaningful carbon reductions while keeping the asset economically viable.

As Kent balances its century-long legacy in traditional energy with the push for sustainability, how do you envision the company’s role in developing offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture technologies over the next decade?

Building on over 100 years of energy expertise, Kent is positioning itself as a leader in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture technologies, driving innovation and collaboration to advance the energy transition. 

Over the next decade, Kent’s focus will centre on:

• Policy leadership: Engaging with policymakers to shape regulations and incentives that foster innovation and investment in low-carbon technologies, creating opportunities for public and private sector contributions
• Technological innovation: Advancing cutting-edge solutions, from optimising offshore wind designs to improving hydrogen electrolysis units and developing next-generation carbon capture systems like direct air capture. Kent’s R&D investments will address technical challenges and scale solutions effectively
• Collaborative partnerships: Partnering with developers, companies, governments and research institutions to share risks, costs and knowledge, accelerating progress in low-carbon initiatives.

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