Unit Corp., Tulsa, has promoted John G. Nikkel to chairman, succeeding King Kirchner, who will remain on the board but is stepping down as chairman, effective Aug. 1.
Nikkel has served as the company's president for almost 20 years and as CEO since July 1999.
Larry Pinkston, Unit's executive vice-president, will become president in addition to his role as treasurer and chief financial officer. Pinkston has been with Unit for 22 years.
Upstream moves
Trans-Orient Petroleum Ltd., Vancouver, BC, has named Peter Loretto president and CEO.
Garth Johnson, interim president and CEO, has resumed his normal duties as Trans-Orient's corporate secretary and chief financial officer.
Oiltec Resources Ltd., Calgary, appointed Ed Chwyl its chairman, succeeding Charles M. Williams, who stepped down at this year's annual meeting. Williams remains a director.
An Oiltec director since May 2001, Chwyl has worked in the oil and natural gas industry for 35 years. Formerly, he served as CEO for both Marathon Oil Canada Ltd. and Tarragon Oil and Gas Ltd.
Ness Energy International Inc., Willow Park, Tex., appointed Sha Stephens as its president and CEO.
Stephens succeeded his late father, Hayseed Stephens. Previously, the younger Stephens worked as a consultant for Ness.
EOTT Energy LLC, Houston, named James R. Allred vice-president and treasurer.
Allred has 16 years of financial services experience, primarily in the oil and gas sector of corporate banking. Previously, he directed the Houston oil and gas financial services practice or ScotiaCapital Energy Finance Group of Bank of Nova Scotia NA.
Westport Resources Corp., Denver, appointed Peter M. Mueller as vice-president and general manager of the company's northern division.
Mueller, who has 25 years experience in the oil and gas industry, will manage Westport's operations in Wyoming and North Dakota, which include the Williston, Powder River, Big Horn, Wind River, and Green River basins.
KCS Energy Inc., Houston, appointed Joseph T. Leary vice-president and chief financial officer.
Leary has more than 18 years experience in oil and natural gas finance. During 1996-2002, Leary served as vice-president, finance, at EEX Corp., which was acquired by Newfield Exploration Co. last year (OGJ, June 10, 2002, p. 38).
