David Ledingham
Head of Projects, Claxton
Module: Introduction to specialised tools in decommissioning
Biography
David Ledingham is Head of Projects at Claxton, bringing over two decades of offshore experience and technical leadership to the decommissioning sector. He leads the module Introduction to Specialised Tools in Decommissioning, providing learners with practical knowledge on the innovative tools and equipment used across rigless well abandonment, topside removal, substructure removal, and subsea infrastructure removal.
With a career spanning maintenance, inspection, and project management in the North Sea, David has extensive experience in selecting, deploying, and managing specialised tools for complex decommissioning operations. His hands-on experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and coordinating technical operations ensures that learners gain an understanding of both the technical capabilities and operational applications of these tools.
David’s expertise in tool selection, deployment planning, and regulatory compliance makes him a trusted voice in offshore decommissioning technology. His contribution to this programme offers learners actionable insights into project planning, risk mitigation, and the effective use of specialised tools in decommissioning operations.
Experience & Expertise
- Head of Projects at Claxton with 20+ years offshore experience
- Technical leadership in decommissioning sector
- Expert in specialised tools for decommissioning operations
- Extensive experience in rigless well abandonment tools
- Specialist in topside and substructure removal equipment
- Subsea infrastructure removal tool coordination
- Multi-disciplinary team management
- Technical operations and deployment planning
- Tool selection and performance optimisation
- Expert in tool deployment planning and regulatory compliance
Training Course Module
David Ledingham, delivers essential technical and engineering insight in his Lean Decom training course module, ‘Specialised Tooling for Decommissioning’.
In this module, he provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the specialised tooling solutions required across the four key areas of decommissioning:
- Well P&A,
- Topsides removal,
- Substructure removal, and
- Subsea infrastructure removal,
Outlining the decision context required to optimise project delivery and safety.
David focuses specifically on efficiency drivers such as the SWAT (Suspende for single-trip operations and internal abrasive jetting to minimise dredging and environmental risks.
He also shares professional guidance on deploying diamond wire saws and robust shear cutters for complex subsea and topside deconstruction, ensuring you acquire a detailed understanding of how selecting the correct tooling for the specific job can significantly enhance project performance
Learn from David
Join our comprehensive decommissioning training programme and gain insights from industry-leading experts.