We speak with Paul Minchin, Location Director – Aotearoa, about Worley’s role in the transformation of New Zealand’s energy sector, commitment to sustainable development, and role in shaping the future of infrastructure and engineering across the country.
ENGINEERING FOR TOMORROW, DELIVERING TODAY
Whilst the energy landscape in New Zealand (NZ) has been relatively static over the past few decades, it has undergone a seismic shift in the last five years.
When Worley – a global professional services company in the energy, chemicals, and resources industry – initially onboarded Paul Minchin in 2006, its operations in the country were heavily focused on oil and gas.
“I joined as a process engineer and, at the time, most of our work was focused on oil and gas in Taranaki and at the refinery in Northland,” introduces Minchin, who is now positioned as Location Director – Aotearoa.
Over the subsequent decade, Worley grew substantially in NZ, with oil and gas remaining its key sector and accounting for around 80 percent of its output.
However, the government’s ban on offshore exploration in 2018 marked a turning point for the company, that has since seen a steady decline in oil and gas activity in NZ, culminating in the closure of the country’s only refinery in 2022.
Today, the balance has flipped for Worley’s operations in the country, with only 20 percent of its work now rooted in oil and gas and over 80 percent originating in other sectors.
“This transformation has required us to adapt rapidly, develop new capabilities, and diversify our portfolio to meet the evolving needs of NZ’s energy future,” he observes.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY EPC DELIVERY
Worley is NZ’s only multidisciplinary engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) delivery company, offering end-to-end services from consulting and feasibility studies to design, construction, and commissioning.
“Our integrated teams span process, mechanical, automation, electrical, and civil/structural engineering, working seamlessly with our project and construction teams,” Minchin explains.
This in-house capability reduces interference, lowers costs, and ensures cohesive project delivery.
Thanks to the country’s low population density, Worley’s NZ customers are spread from the far north right down to Invercargill in the far south.
As such, it has offices across the country, allowing it to remain close to customers nationwide.
“Our customer base is diverse, ranging from traditional oil and gas companies like OMV and Todd Energy to power sector leaders such as Contact Energy,” he reveals.
It has also recently completed construction of a major facility for MSD Animal Health – a leading science-driven veterinary pharmaceutical company – in Upper Hutt, north of Wellington.
CAPITALISING ON RENEWABLES
As it seeks to capitalise on the momentum of the nation’s fast-growing renewables sector, Worley has played a leading role in solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), electrification, biogas, and geothermal developments.
“Renewable energy has always played a large role in NZ’s electricity sector, with hydropower, wind, and geothermal playing leading roles, however we have recently seen significant growth in other areas and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement,” Minchin reflects.
As such, Worley is currently supporting a large number of clients with projects at various stages of development.
The company’s global network has allowed it to bring in subject matter experts to support local projects.
“This global-local synergy is a key advantage in delivering innovative, technically sound solutions,” Minchin assesses.
“Renewable energy has always played a large role in NZ’s electricity sector, with hydropower, wind, and geothermal playing leading roles, however we have recently seen significant growth in other areas and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement”
Paul Minchin, Location Director – Aotearoa, Worley
SAFETY AT THE FOREFRONT
With safety embedded within everything it does, Worley is proud to be a member of the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum – an NZ-based organisation dedicated to carving a path towards a safer working environment.
Taranaki’s legacy of high safety standards, driven by global oil and gas companies in the region, has helped to shape Worley’s culture over the years.
“As one of the founding members of the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum, we have long been committed to zero-harm workplaces,” Minchin asserts.
Today, the forum includes over 440 CEOs across 20 industries, and its vision has evolved to focus on building cultures where people and businesses thrive.
At Worley, safety starts with design and, as such, its safety and risk teams ensure process safety is prioritised from the outset.
Meanwhile, the company’s construction teams maintain rigorous safety standards on site.
“We’re proud to contribute to raising safety performance across NZ,” adds Minchin.
KEY PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Having recently secured a contract with Channel Infrastructure, NZ’s largest fuel import terminal, for a new flagship bitumen facility at Marsden Point, Worley is showcasing its multidisciplinary engineering capabilities.
“We’re leveraging our global expertise – particularly from Worley’s Canadian bitumen specialists – and collaborating with local contractors to deliver a high-quality solution,” Minchin outlines.
The facility will enable Higgins – a major NZ-based company specialising in civil construction, road maintenance, and the manufacture of bitumen products – to efficiently service infrastructure projects across Northland, Auckland, and the Waikato.
Whilst not directly tied to decarbonisation, the project supports regional development and infrastructure resilience, which are essential components of a sustainable future.
Elsewhere, Worley is seeing strong growth across several sectors. Its work in water infrastructure, for example, is expanding rapidly, with key projects for Watercare and Wellington Water addressing aging systems and futureproofing supply.
In the power sector, meanwhile, it is supporting solar energy developments and helping clients like Contact Energy transition to low-carbon solutions.
The company’s collaboration with dairy cooperative Fonterra on decarbonisation is another highlight, with projects that are not only technically complex but also critical to NZ’s climate goals.
“Each initiative reflects our commitment to sustainable development and ability to deliver impactful solutions across industries,” he prides.
INVESTED IN THE FUTURE
As a company that works with various institutions to promote STEM, it is important for Worley to engage with the workforce of tomorrow in conversations around the industry.
“STEM engagement is a cornerstone of our community involvement. We’ve consistently hired graduate engineers, many of whom have grown into leadership roles at Worley in NZ and across our global offices,” Minchin details.
Beyond recruitment, Worley actively supports educational initiatives such as science fairs and school events to inspire the next generation.
The Worley Foundation is an initiative focused on community impact through skilled volunteering and funding, with a significant emphasis on advancing STEM education across the globe.
Through the foundation, Worley has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, a registered non-profit organisation providing one-to-one mentoring for young people facing adversity to help them overcome barriers to education.
“Investing in youth and STEM is essential for building a resilient, innovative workforce for the future,” he emphasises.
“Investing in youth and STEM is essential for building a resilient, innovative workforce for the future”
Paul Minchin, Location Director – Aotearoa, Worley
FUTURE FOCUS
Looking to the future, Worley’s top priority is delivering exceptional outcomes for its customers.
“In a small country like NZ, reputation is everything,” Minchin states.
Beyond this, the company is focused on growing in water, power, and new energy – sectors that not only align with its capabilities but also offer significant opportunities and are central to NZ’s sustainability goals.
“In this way, we’re well-positioned to lead the way,” he adds.
Worley will also continue to invest in talent, technology, and partnerships to drive innovation and expand its impact.
Keen to emphasise the importance of adaptability, Minchin points out how the energy transition has required Worley to rethink its business model, retrain teams, and reimagine its role within NZ’s infrastructure landscape – throughout which the company has continued to positively contribute to society.
“Our ability to evolve whilst maintaining our core values and commitment to excellence has been key to our success. We’re excited about what’s ahead and proud of the journey we’ve taken so far,” he passionately concludes.
