As Williams Cos. Inc., Tulsa, continues to reposition itself within the energy industry, its board has appointed a number of new officers:
Steven J. Malcolm has been named president, chief operating officer, and a director effective immediately. Malcolm formerly was president and CEO of Williams Energy Services as well as executive vice-president of Williams Cos. Malcolm joined Williams in 1984 from Cities Service Co. and has since held management positions of increasing responsibility.
Keith E. Bailey, who is relinquishing his responsibilities as president, will remain chairman and CEO until his retirement next May 17. Bailey was elected president in 1992 and chairman in 1994.
"[Malcolm's appointment] is the next step in the planned transition that was formally announced in March," said Bailey. "[Malcolm] has 31 years of industry experience, the last 17 with Williamsellipse From 1998, when he was named to lead our energy services unit, that business group has grown its profitability from $395 million/year to potentially more than $2 billion this year."
Malcolm took a leadership role in major acquisitions such as Williams's purchase of Barrett Resources Inc., Denver, and gas gathering assets in western Canada and in the sale of nonstrategic businesses.
Cuba Wadlington Jr., president and CEO of Williams's gas pipeline unit-who was appointed to aid in the transition-will continue to head the natural gas pipeline division. He also will remain a Williams executive vice-president.
Malcolm said he expects additional announcements throughout the balance of this year as decisions are made to realign Williams's management structure.
Meanwhile, Williams's energy marketing and trading organization will join the energy services and gas pipeline business segments as Williams's third major business group. The marketing and trading unit has been part of Williams's energy services group.
Malcolm announced that William Hobbs, currently head of the marketing and trading business, would be promoted to president and CEO of that unit and that Phillip D. Wright, president and chief operating officer of Williams Energy Partners LP, would be promoted to succeed Malcolm as president and CEO of the energy services business. Wright will lead the business segments that will remain within energy services, including midstream gas and liquids, petroleum services, exploration and production, and international operations.
Other moves
PanCanadian Energy Corp. President, CEO, and Director David Tuer has resigned his positions with the Calgary-based company for personal reasons. David O'Brien will act as CEO and Michael Grandin as president while the board reviews the issue of succession. O'Brien is currently chairman and Grandin a director. PanCanadian's direction, corporate strategy, and priorities remain unchanged, the company said.
Sam Laidlaw has been appointed CEO of Enterprise Oil PLC, London, effective Nov. 1. He will succeed Pierre Jungels, who will retire in February.
Laidlaw was most recently president and CEO of Amerada Hess Corp. He joined Amerada Hess in 1981 and was instrumental during the1980s in building the company's North Sea production to over 250,000 boe/d.
More recently, he led the restructuring of the group, including a major reorganization of its Gulf of Mexico deepwater business and the development of its international position in several areas, including Southeast Asia, North and West Africa, and South America.
Meanwhile, John J. O'Connor has been named president of the expanded worldwide exploration and production operations of Amerada Hess. In August, Amerada substantially enlarged its E&P arm with the $3.2 billion acquisition of Dallas-based Triton Energy Ltd. (OGJ, July 16, 2001, p. 35).
O'Connor will also serve as executive vice-president of Amerada and as a member of its board.
Prior to joining Amerada, O'Connor was president, worldwide E&P, of Texaco Inc. Before joining Texaco in 1998, he was CEO and director of Melbourne-based BHP Petroleum Pty. Ltd., the oil and gas E&P division of Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd., during 1994-97. He also has served in a wide variety of international management positions with the former Mobil Oil Corp.