2H Offshore, an Acteon company, has appointed Pedro Viana and Roberto Alvim as the technical managers of its Rio de Janeiro, Brazil office to strengthen its management team and drive business growth.

Viana was the first engineer hired when 2H Offshore’s Brazil office opened in 2003. He has participated directly in the development of the office since its inception, and has supported both the technical and management activities of the company. Viana has experience in a range of conceptual, front-end-engineering design (FEED), detailed design and monitoring projects for many types of riser systems and complexities, and in different 2H Offshore offices around the world. His key project roles have included being the lead systems and lead analysis engineer for the Petrobras Guará–Lula NE buoyancy-supported riser project from early pre-FEED engineering studies through to the completion of the final detailed design.

Alvim joined 2H Offshore with six years’ experience in equipment design for the offshore industry. He graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro in 2005. Alvim was the second engineer 2H Offshore hired in Brazil and, like Viana, has been an integral part of the growth of the Rio de Janeiro office. Alvim has worked on several analysis projects, including drilling, completion and production risers systems. For the past four years, he has managed a range of engineering projects, including FEED and conceptual studies for major oil and gas projects offshore Brazil.

Viana and Alvim will share responsibility for the management of the office with Pete Simpson, general manager. “I am delighted that Pedro and Roberto will be joining me as members of the 2H Brazil management team,” Simpson said. “They have shown their innovative engineering capabilities over the past 10 years and have contributed a great deal to 2H and its projects around the world. Their knowledge will provide support and an expert perspective for the engineering team here in Brazil.”

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) has announced that it is making three key appointments to its executive team and realigning its existing technology and services organizations.

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, Jay Johnson becomes senior vice president, Upstream, and Joe Geagea becomes senior vice president, Technology, Projects and Services. The new roles will report to George Kirkland, vice chairman and executive vice president, Upstream. Also effective Jan. 1, 2014, Pierre Breber becomes corporate vice president and president, Chevron Gas and Midstream, reporting to John Watson, chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Following Kirkland's planned retirement in 2015, consistent with the company's mandatory retirement policy, Johnson and Geagea will report to Watson.

"These appointments ensure a smooth transition in our upstream business and simplify the delivery of technology and services to all of our businesses," Watson said. "Jay, Joe and Pierre are experienced leaders who will enhance a very effective leadership team."

Johnson, 54, currently is president of Chevron's Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Exploration and Production Company, based in London. He joined Chevron in 1981 and previously has been managing director of the Australia and Eurasia upstream business units.

•    Johnson will lead an upstream organization that continues to have four regional operating companies:

•    Todd Levy will replace Johnson in London as president of Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Exploration and Production Company. Levy currently leads a key Chevron upstream support organization and has wide-ranging upstream experience with past assignments for the company in Kazakhstan, Angola, Australia and the United States.

•    Melody Meyer continues as president of Asia Pacific Exploration and Production Company, based in Singapore.

•    Ali Moshiri continues as president of Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company, based in Houston.

•    Jeff Shellebarger continues as president of North America Exploration and Production Company, based in Houston.

Geagea, 54, will lead a new organization composed of energy and information technology, capital projects management, procurement, upstream production services and workforce development organizations. These groups will support the company's upstream, downstream and midstream businesses. Geagea, who joined Chevron in 1982, has held positions in each of these three areas. He is the current president of Chevron Gas and Midstream and previously was the managing director of the Asia South upstream business unit and president of the company's downstream operations in East Africa, the Middle East and Pakistan.

Breber, 49, currently is managing director of the Asia South upstream business unit, based in Bangkok, Thailand. He joined Chevron in 1989 and previously has held senior roles in Chevron's finance organization, including corporate vice president and treasurer. He will lead a Gas and Midstream business that was reorganized earlier this year to consolidate trading operations and strengthen its support to the upstream and downstream businesses.

Leading international equipment solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has strengthened its team with the appointment of Neil Harrap as NDT Market Manager.

Neil is a highly experienced non-destructive testing (NDT) specialist having spent 31 years in aerospace engineering with the Ministry of Defence, much of which was spent with the RAF. During this time, Neil’s roles included NDT Equipment Subject Matter Specialist, NDT Field Team Manager, Military Tri-Service NDT School Instructor and Aerospace Engineering Technician. More recently, he has been a lecturer at TWI and provided technical support for one of the world’s leading manufacturers of advanced NDT instruments.

The appointment, which is a new position, has added to the company’s capabilities as specialists in NDT. Ashtead Technology provides NDT equipment as part of its global service offering, which includes rental equipment, calibration, repair and maintenance, offshore personnel and bespoke engineered solutions.

A large fleet of NDT inspection equipment for both topside and subsea testing is available from offices in Aberdeen, Houston, Singapore and London, where Mr Harrap is based.

Chief executive Allan Pirie said: “As we continue to grow, we are putting more resources into our proven services, including investing heavily in NDT instrumentation and technical support staff.  Neil is a welcome addition to our team, with his unparalleled experience in the sector, which will allow us to implement our NDT strategy effectively and maintain Ashtead Technology’s reputation as a market leader in this sector. Customers will have access to the latest instrumentation, coupled with a high level of engineering and technical support both before and during the rental period.”

Mr Harrap said: “Ashtead Technology is well known for its equipment rental capabilities, and I am delighted that my NDT knowledge will be put to good use here. The company aims to give its customers a full service offering in all of its capabilities, and I look forward to working with our technology to give customers a full understanding of our equipment, as well as technical training to make sure they are getting the best service possible. Whether inspecting platforms, subsea assets or pipelines, we can rent a wide range of suitable inspection equipment for Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM), Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Flooded Member Detection (FMD) and Cathodic Protection (CP) inspections, for topside, diver and ROV use.”

Offshore accommodation and workspace specialists HB Rentals has officially opened its new eastern hemisphere headquarters in the North East of Scotland.

The purpose built £1 million facility, located in Sauchen, was officially opened by the Provost of Aberdeenshire, Councillor Jill Webster, in a ceremony attended by HB Rentals’ clients, suppliers, employees and senior management.

Provost Webster said: “HB Rentals' new facility represents a significant investment in Aberdeenshire and we welcome this boost to the local economy through employment opportunities and increased business activity in the area.

The facility is ideally located at the centre of the North East oil and gas industry in Aberdeenshire benefitting from being located in an area consistently judged to have the highest quality of life in Scotland as well as being an ideal base for HB's international growth plans."

With over 500sqm of covered workshop area and employing a multi-disciplined workforce of around 46 people, the new premises will handle all manufacturing for the company’s eastern hemisphere and allow it to build and consolidate the fleet of A60 accommodation units it currently supplies as well as handling any custom build projects the firm receives.

The base is seen as crucial to HB Rentals’ ambitious growth targets for its key operations in the region which include Europe, West Africa, the Caspian and Middle East.

Eastern hemisphere business unit director Norman Porter said: “The opening of this new purpose-built facility places us in the ideal position to capitalise on business opportunities in an increasingly competitive market and will allow us to fulfill our ambitious growth targets.  The North East of Scotland remains one of the world’s major energy centres and these facilities will allow us to better fulfill our customer’s orders in this region as well as the rest of the eastern hemisphere with the provision of offshore accommodation and workspace solutions.”

The official opening comes after a period of sustained success for the company, which has won several contracts recently.

Sales and marketing manager for the eastern hemisphere Brad Hirst added: “It has been an exciting time for the company recently with several large projects on-going.  Increasingly customers are coming to us requiring custom built or tailored accommodation solutions and the investment in these facilities will mean we are able to offer the full range of services needed to fulfill their requirements and deliver projects to exact specification, on time and within budget. ”

The move to the new premises comes five years after the company first began operating in the North East of Scotland.

HB Rentals operates a fleet of more than 400 A60 units comprising a wide variety of 2 to 12 man accommodation cabins, galleys, laundry, recreation and mess rooms, gymnasiums, heliports, offices, laboratories, MWD, mudlogging and well-support cabins as well as other custom fit-outs as specified by its worldwide customer base.

For the second year running Petrobras CEO, Maria das Graças Silva Foster, is ranked by the American magazine Fortune the most powerful female executive in the world, among an international list of business women from various industries. Graça Foster has topped the listings for female executives outside the United States.



To prepare the global ranking of the Most Powerful Women in Business, Fortune selected a group of 50 candidates from various countries, such as England, Australia, Sweden, and Turkey. The listing is based on four criteria: the size and importance of the business in the global economy, the success and management of the business, the executive's career trajectory and her social and cultural influence.



Maria das Graças Silva Foster qualified as a chemical engineer and was first woman to be appointed to head Petrobras, taking the helm in February 2012. Prior to that, she was the director of the Gas & Energy division and CEO of Petrobras Distribuidora, and had already held several other executive positions. Graça Foster has been on the company's staff of career professionals for 32 years.

To view the Fortune International Power 50, the list of the Most Powerful Women in Business outside the US, click here http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/most-powerful-women/2013/global/


Awards - In addition to topping the Fortune listing, in August this year Graça Foster was named Best CEO in the Latin American Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Industry by Institutional Investor magazine . In May, she was listed by Forbes Magazine as the most powerful women in Brazilian business and one of the top 20 most powerful women in the world . In April, she appeared on Foreign Policy magazine's FP Power Map, listing the 500 most powerful people in the world. 

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T.D. Williamson (TDW), a worldwide provider of equipment and services for operators of pressurized piping systems, announced that Chad C. Fletcher has joined the executive management team as Vice President of Western Hemisphere Operations. As of August 12, Fletcher is responsible for overseeing the fulfillment of strategic initiatives, as well as driving day-to-day execution of all business in the Western hemisphere.

Chad brings TDW a valuable entrepreneurial skill set and an impressive career history,” says Bruce Thames, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “He possesses all of the characteristics you would expect in an executive at this level, but it’s  Chad’s commitment to performing as a servant leader  selflessly investing in the growth and development of the company – that makes him the right person for TDW.”

Fletcher has more than 25 years of experience in the energy business, beginning his career in the pipeline industry as an engineer and technical services manager for Tenneco Gas Corporation. Fletcher later founded a technology solutions firm, Enginuity International, Inc., that became the dominant market share leader for combustion and emission solutions for the pipeline industry. Enginuity was purchased by Dresser-Rand in 2008, where Fletcher was retained and made responsible for creating a new global business unit serving the midstream market. Fletcher then moved to Paris, France, where he led the service and engineered solutions business, covering Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Middle East and Africa, into a $400 million Profit and Loss (P&L) success. Fletcher’s  most recent position was Vice President of Marketing & Global Business Solutions for Dresser-Rand, which posted $2.7 billion in sales for 2012.

Seatronics Limited, an Acteon company, and Zetechtics Limited have signed a global representative agreement for the Jupiter range of subsea ROV intervention control systems and associated products.

The agreement includes the provision of rental equipment that will be held in all Seatronics’ locations: Brazil, Singapore, Australia and the UK. In addition to extensive pools of rental equipment, each location will hold a substantial sales stock, thereby offering a flexible and rapid response to all client requirements.

David Currie, managing director, Seatronics says: “Seatronics is a market leader in the rental and sale of marine electronic equipment and continues to offer the finest products and solutions to the subsea services sector. The Zetechtics agreement demonstrates our commitment to widening our portfolio of specialist ROV equipment and will further complement the Seatronics range. Both companies embody the quality-driven, market-leading approach demanded by customers in today’s subsea oil, gas and renewables sectors. The global coverage, in-house knowledge and enhanced value-added services that Seatronics can provide will, I am sure, lead to an increased level of interest in the Zetechtics product range.”

Tim Overfield, managing director, Zetechtics says: “This agreement provides professional worldwide availability of Jupiter products and services. As a result of the agreement Seatronics and Zetechtics clients can expect enhanced service and support across the entire range of Jupiter products.”

Orange Business Services has appointed Martin Denari as global director of the company’s industry sector focused on oil, gas and mining. With more than 25 years of international experience and executive leadership, Denari oversees the development of Orange’s communications and vertical-specific solutions for large exploration and production companies that operate on an international scale.

Oil, gas and miningare core vertical industries for Orange. With offices, refineries, extraction sites, ships and pipelines widely dispersed across the globe, sometimes in hard-to-reach places, both on and off shore, companies need to rely on a connected IT infrastructure and advanced communication services to support their development across the globe.

Exploration makes up the majority of costs for oil, gas and mining companies as they try to meet a growing demand for resources that are becoming scarce. These exploration regions present challenges in access, safety, retrieval and costs. In his new position, Denari will leverage Orange’s global reach covering 220 countries and territories and deep solution portfolio to design an ICT sustainable environment in which these companies can operate and develop. 

The Orange portfolio includes high-speed VPN and satellite connectivity, unified communications, cloud services, video conferencing, mobile access, M2M connectivity, data analytics and 40-plus years of industry expertise delivering these services to a number of isolated regions. For customers, this translates into more accurate tools for exploring resources, real-time collaboration between workers, fewer accidents, precise asset tracking, and better amenities for an onsite crew.


“The true value-add of Orange Business Services to the oil, gas and mining industry is making remote, isolated regions more hospitable and accessible for exploration and production,” said Denari, global director, oil, gas & mining vertical, Orange Business Services. “Customers can rely on Orange to expand beyond their environmental limits in pursuit of new opportunities”

Denari has a thorough background that mixes international business with a sophisticated grounding in engineering, communications and information technology. He has a successful track record, initiating start-ups in a number of different countries. Prior to coming to Orange, Denari served as CEO for such technology service providers as T-Systems Argentina, gedas Argentina (Volkswagen Group), and the Latin American unit of Baan. In the U.S., he served as an IT and business development manager for Halliburton energy services based in Houston, Texas. He also worked in several countries for Schlumberger in close contact with real-time data delivery activities between well sites and interpretation centers.

Through water communication and positioning technology company, Nautronix, is pleased to announce three new appointments within the sales team.

Bob Barrett, joins Nautronix as Sales Manager at the company’s global headquarters in Aberdeen.  He will be responsible for developing awareness and understanding of all Nautronix products including NASNet^® positioning technology. Prior to joining Nautronix, Bob gained his experience in sales through previous positions within the aerospace and Oil & Gas industry.

Nautronix has identified a skills gap in the Oil & Gas industry for good quality sales people.  Keen to address this, they have appointed Ashley Anderson and Scott Williams in the role of Sales Engineer and they will both embark on Nautronix’ sales training program.  Ashley is based in the company’s headquarters in Aberdeen and Scott is based in the company’s Houston office and both will supportthe efforts of the sales team.

Mark Patterson, CEO, comments, “Following a number of years of rapid growth we have recognised that we need to increase our sales efforts within Nautronix and it is vital we resource ourselves in key regions such as Aberdeen and Houston.  The Oil & Gas industry has a vibrant future ahead of it and it is a priority of Nautronix, to continue to attract young talent such as Ashley and Scott into the company and invest in their development through training and development schemes.  I am delighted to have Bob, Ashley and Scott on the sales team.” 

Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) announces several changes to its executive organization, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

"Apache is undergoing a transformation that will position the company for many years of predictable and profitable growth," said G. Steven Farris, chairman and chief executive officer. "Between 2010 and 2012, we took advantage of our balance sheet strength to expand the opportunity base in our North American regions, and Apache now has decades of drilling inventory. We are concentrating our effort around the most promising growth areas for the company. These organization updates strengthen our focus on delivering and supporting operational success."

•    Rod Eichler, president and chief operating officer, will be transitioning to the newly created roles of executive advisor to the chairman of Apache and as the chief executive officer of Kitimat (LNG and upstream), where he will focus on oversight of Apache's liquefied natural gas business, Gas Monetization, and corporate Health, Safety, Environment and Emergency Response (HSEE).

•    John Christmann, region vice president for the Permian, will assume the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, North America.

•    Tom Voytovich, executive vice president for International Operations, is taking on the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, International.

•    Mike Bahorich, executive vice president and chief technology officer, will take on additional responsibilities. He will maintain responsibility for exploration and production technology, and assume responsibility for Worldwide Projects, Horizontal Drilling and Completion Applications, Worldwide Drilling, Special Projects and Corporate Purchasing.

•    Michael Bose, region vice president for Argentina, will transfer to Midland as the region vice president for the Permian Region. David Chi, manager of Argentina Production and Reservoir Engineering, will be interim region vice president for Argentina.

•    Rob Johnston will serve as executive vice president and region vice president for the Central Region.

•    Roger Plank continues in his role as president and chief corporate officer.

Farris noted that these appointments strengthen and broaden Apache's senior leadership. As a result of these organizational changes, the three-person Office of the Chief Executive will be discontinued.

Wood Group Mustang announces Mark Brett director of business development for its Process Plants & Industrial Business Unit for its Martinez, Calif. location.  Brett will oversee the company's West Coast business development, expanding brand presence and strategic direction for the California and Pacific Northwest regions.

Brett brings 25 years of oil & gas expertise with concentrations in the upstream and downstream sectors to Wood Group Mustang.  His success includes operations management, business development, sales and marketing, and revenue and profit optimization.

Wood Group Mustang President, Process Plants & Industrial Curt Watson said, "Mark brings a wealth of knowledge to Wood Group Mustang's Process Plants & Industrial Business Unit, and I look forward to him taking our current and future West coast relationships to the next level."

Aker Solutions won a contract from Statoil to conduct an extended concept study for the floater for the Johan Castberg oilfield development in the Barents Sea. The contract, worth NOK 250 million, includes options for further work.

"This is an exciting opportunity to take part in the development of a major new oil field in northern Norway," says Per Harald Kongelf, regional president for Norway at Aker Solutions.

Aker Solutions has previously conducted concept studies for the Johan Castberg field, which is estimated to hold between 400 million and 600 million barrels of oil. The Statoil-operated field is located about 240 kilometres north-west of Hammerfest.

Deep Casing Tools, which develops an innovative range of tools designed to land casing and completions at target depth within oil or gas wells, has delivered the 100^th tool off the production line.

              Photo: Deep Casing Tools Team

The 100^th tool was included in a batch of Turbocaser™ Express tools that were dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico for application in field development drilling in approximately 3,650 feet of water.  Deep Casing Tools’ unique drill through technology provides significant time and cost savings when compared to conventional methods. Landing casing and completions at target depth first time, avoiding wiper trips and wellbore damage, is a game changer for improved well construction.

Lance Davis, CEO of Deep Casing Tools, said: “The delivery of our 100^th tool coincided with the first planned deployment in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico for the Turbocaser™ Express. These two achievements are significant and have occurred since the company established the US subsidiary Deep Casing Tools Inc.”  Deep Casing Tools Inc. is headquartered in Houston, and is responsible for deployment of the technology both in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore locations.

In line with the growth in North America, the company has inventory in Houston, Calgary and other key locations to service market opportunities. In addition, key personnel have been appointed to manage the USA and Canada.

Brad Whitfield has been appointed Vice President USA, based in Houston.  Brad’s experience includes sales and business development in the completions domain, focusing on products and systems for permanent monitoring and intelligent well completions.

Mike Chomack has been appointed Vice President Canada, based in Calgary.  Mike has been active in the Canadian oil industry for 30 years, working directly for both service companies and operators in well construction, and as a consultant in drilling and completions. 

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE:   DO) announces that Lawrence R.  Dickerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, has decided to retire after more than 30 years of service.

"I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Larry for the past 25 years," said James Tisch, Chairman of the Board of Diamond Offshore.  "Diamond Offshore has achieved operational excellence and substantially modernized its fleet with Larry at the helm. Under his leadership, Diamond has created tremendous value for shareholders, including paying total dividends of more than $5 billion—over $36 per share—to shareholders since 2006.  The Board is grateful for Larry's many contributions and his distinguished tenure as both President and CEO."

"I have been privileged to lead this great company," Mr. Dickerson said. "Our achievements reflect the contributions of a great many men and women, and I believe that after 34 years at Diamond and 15 as President, it is time to pass the reins to a new generation.  I am especially proud of our safety achievements in recent years.  I look forward to working with my colleagues, the board, and our customers during this transition."

Mr. Dickerson will remain CEO until his successor joins the company, which is expected to take place by March 31, 2014.

Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by the Board of Directors of Diamond to assist in a search for a new CEO. 

FoundOcean, the largest dedicated offshore construction grouting company in the world, today announced the opening of its newest office in Houston, Texas to support its expansion overseas.


"Houston is recognized as the energy capital of the world, with almost half of its economic activity driven by the energy industry - particularly oil & gas. It provides a perfect base for FoundOcean to continue with its growing activities in the Americas," says Managing Director Jim Bell. 



FoundOcean has completed more than 100 offshore projects in US and Canadian waters for world-class installation contractors including McDermott, Cal Dive, Heerema, Saipem, Subsea 7, and Technip. These range from compliant tower foundation grouting, to record-breaking deep-water fabric formwork deployments for pipeline repair installations. 



The DNV-accredited company has invested heavily in its grout mixing technology to ensure fast, efficient, and safe offshore operations. 



Amir R. Mirza, International Business Development Manager, will be based at the Houston site supporting the organization’s clients in the region and developing business opportunities in the North, Central and South American oil & gas markets.

Unique System FZE, a Unique Maritime Group company, which is one of the world’s leading integrated turnkey subsea and offshore solution providers, has announced the joining of Martin Bolton as the new Division Head for its Oil & Gas Division for the Middle East Region.  He will be based at Unique’s head office in Sharjah in the UAE.

His main responsibilities will include leading and developing the Oil & Gas Division’s team and to ensure that the high product quality, technical and customer service continues to fulfill customer expectations. His main role will be to further expand the Oil & Gas division amid offering a new range of services to the existing clients as well as a new set of clients in the Middle East Region. A few of these services would be Well Head maintenance, Refurbishment of Wellheads, internal and external casing cutting, Slot recoveries, Permanent Abandonments, Supply of High Pressure High Temperature Risers ( HPHT ) ,Supply of Low Pressure Risers, Supply of Double Studded Adapters ( DSA ), tension systems/ tension rings, Overshots, etc. With his primacy, we would soon be targeting a geographical expansion by exploring the competitive Middle Eastern territories of KSA and Kuwait to offer our portfolio of products and services.

Martin started his early career by working as a Service Technician and then as a Field Service and Subsea Service Engineer, for companies such as Weatherford, Vetco Gray and Dril-Quip which acquainted him to the running, installation and maintenance of equipment, and to the overall project completion. He rapidly advanced in his career and worked as a Business Development Manager and General Manager (Sales) over the past 9 years with Claxton, an Acteon Group company. All through his career, Martin has actively managed sales activities and opportunities, while also providing valuable technical and engineering assistance to clients.

On this occasion, Sahil Gandhi, Director @ Unique Maritime Group said, “We are extremely delighted to have Martin Bolton on board to further expand our Oil & Gas Division. He has remarkable experience in the Middle East region and his phenomenal sales, engineering and business development skills will invigorate our market share in the Oil & Gas sector which till date has not been deeply explored.”

Martin Bolton asserted, “I am delighted to be offered this challenging role to help develop Unique’s Oil & Gas division in the Middle East region. I hope to use my expertise to target new clients in this important market sector and target new products too, also add value to the services that the company already has to offer, and focus on customers’ needs and satisfaction.”