APEM Ltd, part of APEM Group, is proud to announce that we have received renewed approval to manage Air Transport Operations on behalf of Shell under the stringent Shell Group Requirements for Aircraft Operations (SGRAO) section CON 03.01. The SGRAO is designed to be applied to all types and sizes of Air Transport Operators, ensuring that effective and proportionate controls are in place to achieve the safety and operational goals of projects.
This approval not only highlights APEM’s capability to meet Shell’s high standards but also positions the company favourably to manage IOGP (International Association of Oil & Gas Producers) contracts as the industry standards evolve.
During the assessment, APEM demonstrated several key strengths:
• Aviation policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): We have an aviation policy implemented through project-specific SOPs. This ensures that all operations are conducted safely and efficiently.
• Integration of SGRAO requirements: The SGRAO requirements are fully integrated into our Air Transport contracts. This integration ensures that we meet the highest safety standards in the industry.
• Operational oversight: Our Task Specialists and Flight Operations Manager maintain continuous operational oversight through frequent engagement. This ensures that all operations are conducted safely and in compliance with regulations.
• Accountability and reporting: We hold operators accountable and promote an open reporting culture to ensure safety and compliance.
• Third-party assurance: We conduct third-party assurance on air transport providers and diligently track findings to closure. This ensures that any issues are promptly addressed and resolved.
John McCarthy, APEM’s Associate Director for Environmental Data Solutions said:
“Being approved by Shell for their SGRAO projects is a testament to our dedication to maintaining the highest safety standards. Being SGRAO compliant will give APEM a head start as the new IOGP standards are rolled out.
It also ensures that APEM is future-proofed to handle a wide range of projects, from marine wildlife surveys to cable route assessments for wind farms and other critical infrastructure projects.”
Steph McGovern, APEM Group’s Sector Director for Marine Wildlife Surveys said:
“Health and safety are our top priorities at APEM. This approval not only validates our efforts but also enhances our reputation as a trusted provider of aviation services. We are excited to continue working with Shell and other clients to deliver safe and reliable aviation solutions.”
Sebastiaan van de Klashorst, Shell’s Regional Air Transport Lead said:
“APEM’s approval to manage Air Transport Operations under our stringent SGRAO standards is a significant achievement. Their demonstrated commitment to safety and operational excellence aligns perfectly with Shell’s values. Working with a team that understands aviation and manages it accordingly is fantastic, as it provides confidence and assurance, allowing me to focus elsewhere.”
About APEM Group
With locations across the globe, APEM Group provide independent environmental consultancy and expert scientific advice to a wide range of industries including water, renewables, infrastructure, power and utilities, ports and harbours as well as to regulators and governments around the world.
We provide a range of services to clients including our world leading digital aerial wildlife surveys, environmental impact assessments and approvals, marine, water & terrestrial ecology, geospatial insights, shipping and navigational risk assessments, heritage advice and landscape visualisation.
In July 2021, APEM Group acquired Sligo-based Woodrow, an environmental and sustainability consultancy, followed in February 2022 by the acquisition of AQUAFACT, a specialist in marine surveys, based in Galway, Ireland. In May 2022, APEM Group acquired GoBe Consultants, a planning and environmental services consultancy based in Devon and Glasgow, followed by the acquisition in June 2023 of Macro Works, a Dublin based provider of landscape and visual consultancy services, and NASH Maritime, a leading shipping, navigation and maritime risk consultancy based in Southampton, in July 2023. In October 2023, the acquisition of Aspect Ecology, based in Banbury, was completed. Biosis, one of Australia’s leading ecology and heritage consultants, became the seventh acquisition in APEM Group in June 2024. Attexo, an Australian renewable energy-focused strategic advisory and environmental consultancy joined the Group in September 2024.
About APEM Ltd
For over three decades, APEM Ltd have offered independent advice and guidance to support government and environmental regulatory guidelines. Our team can be found all around the UK: behind a microscope in our world-renowned laboratories, undertaking innovative desk studies and scoping protected species, grabbing freshwater samples and emergency fish rescue, flying our innovative high-resolution digital aerial surveys, or on the ground with eDNA and terrestrial ecology services. Our work has been cited as the benchmark for aerial survey design in the UK for offshore wind and our labs provide external quality assurance for the analysis of marine biological samples, delivering audit and training services to the highest standard.
