Andrew French

Andrew is a Chartered Engineer with over 12 years of experience in supporting various nearshore and offshore construction projects. He has worked on major infrastructure projects, including carbon capture and new nuclear builds, through their full life cycle. Andrew has held roles such as Marine Technical Manager, Principal Methods Engineer, and Lead Engineer, contributing to projects like Sizewell C, Net Zero Teesside, and Hinkley Point C. His expertise includes methods engineering, project management, and structural and mechanical design. Andrew holds an MEng in Mechanical Engineering & Management from Exeter University (2012) and is a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Andrew’s experience covers project stages from detail machinery design at marine contractors to planning major offshore construction schemes for nuclear projects. This rounded perspective brings a holistic consideration to solving the challenges at hand with an eye for the details which matter, whether they are physical, functional, commercial or regulatory. Andrew will help Tadek to deliver the best solutions for your project with sound, recorded decision making and engage with stakeholders professionally at multiple levels.

Andrew’s expertise lies in foundation installations and drilling solutions, and the nearshore construction zone, particularly temporary works management.

Get in touch to talk to Andrew about:

• Nearshore and offshore drilling solutions
• Marine piling
• Offshore ground improvement and substitution
• T&I and logistics assessment
• Muster port and construction site selection
• Mission equipment design and fabrication
• Design and engineering management
• Temporary works
• Preconstruction & FEED engineering
• Stakeholder engagement

Andrew worked on the Escondida Water Supply project in Antofagasta, Chile, which supplies desalinated seawater to the Escondida copper mine in the Atacama Desert. He was involved in the marine shaft construction scope, which included drilling the intake and outfall shafts for the desalination plant at Punto Coloso. The shafts were constructed on a steep, rocky shoreline exposed to long-period waves and seismic activity, presenting significant construction challenges.

He was responsible for project engineering and the design of the drilling equipment and cuttings processing plant, which comprised much of the deck spread. He then assisted in mobilizing the JUB Excalibur for trans-Atlantic towage and joined the vessel in Antofagasta to support the drilling campaign. Subsequently, he led the load test and rig commissioning and provided site engineering support for the first shaft construction campaign.

The project was particularly memorable due to the challenges of the site conditions, offshore operations, seismic activity, and problem-solving in a demanding environment. Delivering his own designed solutions and contributing to a mine that produces 5% of the world’s copper supply made the experience especially rewarding.

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys staying active through running, swimming, and surfing or windsurfing when conditions allow. At home, he spends time on gardening projects with his partner, growing vegetables with mixed success—though the local wildlife seems to benefit from their efforts.