Meet Dmitry Sadovnikov, Naval Architect Team Lead in Perth

The team at ABL shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL, but do you know our team?

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Dmitry, tell us a little about what inspired you to work in energy and oceans.

My family inspired me to become a Naval Architect. Both of my parents were Naval Architects, and my grandfather was a Marine Engineer. I decided to dedicate my life to ships and the oceans when I was just six years old.

While designing some of the world’s fastest ships, I saw first-hand how much fuel they consumed and how costly that was. This sparked my interest in sustainable, affordable energy production as an essential priority for the modern world. It also shifted my professional focus—first towards the traditional energy sector, and more recently towards the transition to renewable energy.

As Naval Architect Team Lead in ABL’s Perth office, what does your role involve on a day-to-day basis, and how do you support clients in addressing complex challenges across the APAC region?

As Team Lead for Structural Integrity Management and Engineering Services, I am responsible for leading complex engineering projects and developing team capability to support clients across the Oil & Gas and renewable energy sectors.

Leveraging the global expertise of ABL and the wider Aqualis companies, I help clients solve challenging technical and operational problems through an integrated, end-to-end approach. We frequently engage at the earliest stages of problem definition, transforming complex challenges into practical and commercially effective solutions.

Acting as both project leader and technical specialist, I ensure that clients receive pragmatic, fit-for-purpose solutions that deliver value throughout the asset lifecycle.

Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?

I am currently leading the independent verification of the design and construction of a new floating structure that will replace an ageing asset in a mature oil field. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of specialists, I am applying our collective expertise and lessons learned from previous projects to support the safe, reliable, and successful delivery of the facility, as well as its long-term operational performance.

I am equally excited to contribute to the energy transition through my involvement in a renewable energy project. In particular, I look forward to seeing a floating wave energy facility successfully deployed and operating in real-world conditions, demonstrating the potential of innovative technologies to play a meaningful role in the future energy mix.

Based in Perth and working closely with operators across the Asia-Pacific region, how do you see the FPSO market evolving in the coming years?

I believe FPSOs will remain the preferred and most commercially viable offshore field development solution across much of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in deepwater areas where fixed platform developments are not technically or economically feasible. The strength of the market is reflected in the number of FPSO projects that have recently been delivered, as well as those currently under construction, in planning, or progressing through regulatory approval.

Looking ahead, investment decisions for new developments are likely to be increasingly influenced by environmental considerations, stakeholder expectations, and government approval requirements. At the same time, the growing competitiveness of renewable energy projects is becoming an important factor in capital allocation and long-term energy strategy.

For mature offshore assets, the viability of continued operation and life extension will continue to depend on operating costs, asset integrity, and hydrocarbon price forecasts. To remain competitive, the industry is actively pursuing opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs through globalised engineering support models, digitalisation, and the growing adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.

What are the most critical integrity risks operators should be monitoring throughout an asset’s lifecycle?

For FPSOs and other floating production assets, the most critical structural integrity risks are typically associated with degradation of the hull structure, topsides, and mooring system. These primary structural systems should be continuously monitored and managed through a robust Structural Integrity Management (SIM) framework that enables operators to identify, assess, and mitigate risks before they affect safety or production.

The foundations of good asset integrity are established during the design phase. Designers should strive to minimise future integrity risks while ensuring that inspection, maintenance, and repair activities can be performed efficiently throughout the asset’s operational life. Increasingly, new developments are incorporating Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) programmes during the design stage, allowing operators to develop a proactive understanding of potential degradation mechanisms. Equally important is the identification of strength-critical and fatigue-sensitive areas and the effective transfer of this knowledge to the SIM team responsible for managing the asset during operations.

What are some common integrity risks?

One of the most common integrity risks during the operational phase is insufficient inspection and maintenance. Industry experience has demonstrated that delayed intervention can lead to severe degradation of hull and topside structures, potentially resulting in regulatory action, reduced production availability, and increased safety risks. Mooring system failures and near-failure events also remain a significant concern for floating assets operating in challenging offshore environments.

To address these risks, operators should implement and continuously optimise RBI programmes, supported by risk-based prioritisation of inspection, maintenance, and repair activities. This approach helps ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation throughout the asset’s service life.

Asset integrity also plays a critical role during decommissioning. Maintaining sufficient structural integrity until the end of field life can significantly reduce decommissioning complexity and costs. Conversely, excessive degradation may limit available decommissioning options and require more expensive solutions.

For example, an FPSO that retains adequate structural capability may be removed via conventional wet tow, whereas a severely degraded asset could require transport on a semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, substantially increasing project costs.

Beyond work, what makes you tick outside the office?

One of my strongest motivations is helping others succeed. Whether through mentoring and coaching, supporting colleagues and clients, or guiding my children, friends, and family, I derive a great sense of accomplishment from seeing people achieve their goals and realise their potential.

Throughout my career, I have found that some of the most rewarding achievements are not my own, but those of the people I have helped develop and support along the way. Seeing others grow in confidence, overcome challenges, and succeed in their professional and personal lives is a powerful source of motivation and fulfilment for me.

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More about Dmitry

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