Kuwait’s state-owned oil, gas, petrochemical, and services industries have new leaders.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has named Robert Douglas Lawler as chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective June 17.

Jack Schanck, president and chief executive officer of Sonde Resources Corp., Calgary, has formally notified the board of his intention to retire from Sonde for personal reasons.

Mark Dingley has joined Horn Petroleum Corp. as chief operating officer effective May 1, and also has been appointed president of Africa Oil Ethiopia BV, a subsidiary of Africa Oil Corp. Both firms are based in Vancouver, BC.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Ann Pickard, currently vice-president, Australia and New Zealand, upstream international, will be moved to the position of executive vice-president, Arctic, upstream Americas, effective June 1.

ATASCOSA COUNTY, Tex.—The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Center for Community and Business Research reported in March 2013 that Eagle Ford shale development added more than $61 billion in total economic impact during 2012.

Given the demanding schedules oil and gas professionals must maintain, it is easy to lose sight of the positive progress the industry continues to make—and what these collective efforts, aimed at safely producing clean-burning domestic natural gas, mean for the Northeastern US and the country as a whole.

Noble Energy Inc. reorganized its executive structure to support the company’s anticipated growth over the next several years.

Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum has appointed Paul Barnett as the new managing director of its Egypt business.

Bill Barrett Corp., Denver, has named R. Scot Woodall as chief executive officer and president.

Andrew Mackenzie has been named chief executive officer of BHP Billiton Ltd., succeeding Marius Kloppers, who will retire. Mackenzie has been group executive and chief executive nonferrous.

Africa Oil Corp., Vancouver, BC, said that Mark Dingley will join the company on May 1 as president of Africa Oil Ethiopia BV and chief operating officer of Horn Petroleum Corp.