Energy Players

Bill Berilgen is leaving Houston-based Rosetta Resources. He has resigned as chairman, president, and CEO. Rosetta executive VP Charles Chambers will serve as acting president and CEO.

Chambers and CFO Michael J. Rosinski will constitute the executive team to manage the company’s activities during this interim period. Henry Houston, currently chair of Rosetta’s audit committee, has been named chairman. He will lead the board in its search to identify a permanent CEO. Rosetta Resources is an independent oil and gas company engaged in acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties in North America.

Ward Williston taps John Annal as CFO

Ward Williston Oil Co. has named John W. Annal CFO. He earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Wayne State University. Ward Williston is an independent oil producer and service company with operations in the Williston basin of North Dakota and in Michigan. In addition, Ward Williston provides a wide range of production services to major oil companies and independent companies throughout North Dakota.

CE Franklin namesSchweitzer CFO

CE Franklin Ltd. has appointed Mark Schweitzer to the position of vice president and CFO. He has held positions including executive vice president and CFO, executive vice president corporate development and CFO, and president and COO in energy related businesses. He holds a bachelor’s degree and brings over 20 years of financial management and executive leadership experience to the position. CE Franklin is a supplier of products and services to the energy industry.

Dresser-Rand names Baldwin to succeed Anthony as CFO

Dresser-Rand Group Inc. has named Mark E. Baldwin executive VP and CFO. He succeeds Leonard Anthony, who has resigned his position as CFO to pursue other interests and opportunities. Baldwin spent three years as the executive VP, CFO, and treasurer with Veritas DGC Inc. Other experience includes two years as executive VP and CFO for NextiraOne, a voice and data products distribution company, and four years as chairman of the board and CEO for Pentacon Inc. He has a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and an MBA from Tulane University.

Enterprise Products Partners adds to management

Enterprise Products Partners LP has elected Michael A. Creel president and CEO. He will continue in his role as a director of the general partner. Creel succeeds Dr. Ralph S. Cunningham, who resigned as interim president and CEO of the general partner of Enterprise Products Partners. Creel has resigned as director, president, and CEO of the general partner of Enterprise GP Holdings LP, whose general partner board has appointed Dr. Cunningham as director, president, and CEO. Creel also resigned as CFO of Enterprise Products Partners’ general partner, a position he has held since 2000. Creel has over 27 years of experience in the energy industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from McNeese State University. Enterprise Products Partners has elected W. Randall Fowler as CFO to succeed Creel and also promoted Fowler to executive vice president. He was also elected to these same positions at the general partner of Duncan Energy Partners LP. Fowler will continue as a director of both boards, as well as executive VP and CFO of the general partner of EPE. Fowler has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Louisiana Tech University. The board of the general partner of Enterprise Products Partners has also elected William Ordemann as COO to succeed Dr. Ralph S. Cunningham and promoted him to executive VP. Ordemann will hold this same position at EPE after being elected by its board. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech.

Joyce Schuldt joins Pioneer Drilling as CFO

Joyce M. Schuldt has joined Pioneer Drilling Co. as executive VP, CFO, and secretary. William D. Hibbetts, the company’s former CFO, will continue to have a senior management position in the company’s financial organization. Schuldt was most recently senior VP, CFO, and secretary of Maverick Tube, a manufacturer of tubular products for the energy industry and industrial applications, until Maverick’s acquisition by Tenaris SA in October 2006. Pioneer Drilling provides land contract drilling services to independent and major oil and gas operators drilling wells in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, and in the Rocky Mountain region.

Crowley to serveas executive VP, COO at Grey Wolf

David J. Crowley has joined Grey Wolf as executive VP and COO. Prior to joining the company, Crowley served as senior VP - operations for TODCO, a provider of offshore oil and gas drilling services that was recently acquired by Hercules Offshore Inc. Grey Wolf Inc., headquartered in Houston, is a provider of contract oil and gas land drilling services in natural gas producing regions in the US.

Stewart & Stevenson names Whitter as CAO

Stewart & Stevenson LLC has appointed Ron E. Whitter as its Chief Accounting Officer. Whitter has held various accounting and financial positions with Oil States International, Norfolk Energy, and Transco Energy during his 22 year career. Prior to joining Stewart & Stevenson, Whitter served as CFO of Columbus, Miss.-based Warrior Energy Services Corp. Stewart & Stevenson is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of specialized equipment and provides aftermarket parts and services to the oil and gas and other industries.

Forster Drilling appoints COO

Forster Drilling has appointed Garrick Clayton into the newly created position of COO of its subsidiary, Forster Drilling Inc. Forster Drilling is a Texas-based land drilling contractor operating in the Permian basin. He has over 16 years of experience in the industry with various technical and management positions held in engineering, business development, and operations. He has held positions with Halliburton Energy Services, UTI Drilling, Buckeye Mud Inc., Key Energy Drilling, and Compressor-Systems Inc. Clayton earned his BBA from the University of Texas of the Permian, Odessa, Tex.

Newfield Exploration makes executive promotions

David F. Schaible was recently named president and COO of Houston-based Newfield Exploration Co.; he will continue to serve on the company’s board. Schaible was one of the founders that joined Joe B. Foster in 1989 when the company began operation. Prior to this promotion, Schaible served as Newfield’s executive VP - operations and acquisitions. Lee K. Boothby will be named senior VP - acquisitions and business development as of October 1. He currently serves as VP - Mid-Continent. Boothby holds a degree from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Rice University. George T. Dunn will be named VP - Mid-Continent effective October 1. Dunn was most recently VP - Gulf Coast. Dunn holds a degree from the Colorado School of Mines. John H. Jasek will become VP - Gulf Coast effective October 1, 2007. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University. John D. Marziotti was named Newfield’s general counsel. Marziotti has a degree from The College of Charleston and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. Newfield Exploration is an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company.

Shell technical expert receives award from Republic of Korea

Dong S. Kim, technical expert for materials with Shell Global Solutions Inc., received the Stone Tower National Award from the Republic of Korea at the country’s annual Gas Safety Convention. Similar to the National Medal of Honour in Technology awarded in the US, the Stone Tower National Award recognizes leading innovators that contribute to the country’s economic, environmental, and social well-being through the development of technological innovations, products and processes. A US citizen, Kim is the first non-Korean citizen to receive the national award. Kim received the award for his work in introducing new technologies and methods of safety and integrity of pressure equipment and providing Shell innovative services to Korean industries. Among the programs and technologies he introduced to Korean industries are the API’s Guidelines for Risk Based Inspection and Shell’s Focused Asset Integrity Reviews. Kim was nominated by the Korea Gas Safety Corp., a government testing, inspection, and education organization under the control of the Korea Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.

Husky CFO to retire

Husky Energy’s VP and CFO, Geoff Barlow, is resigning from Husky to pursue other interests. Husky Energy is an integrated energy and energy-related company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

Jefferies resigns asCFO of Pacific Ethanolafter two months

Pacific Ethanol Inc., the West Coast-based marketer and producer of ethanol, has accepted the resignation of CFO Douglas Jeffries. Jeffries, who assumed the CFO post on June 4th of this year, expressed a desire to return to work in the technology sector. The board of directors has appointed COO John Miller as acting CFO while a search is conducted for a permanent CFO.

GGS names Kildal as interim CFO

Geo Services ASA has engaged Jan Kildal as interim CFO to lead the ongoing process of strengthening the company’s accounting and reporting procedures. Jan Kildal is currently working as CEO of Standard Drilling ASA and as executive president of Ferncliff TIH, a company owned by Oystein Stray Spetalen. Stray Spetalen is a member of the board of directors in Global Geo Services. Kildal has previously worked as CEO in Hurtigruten and as CFO in Norske Skog and Orkla. Kildal will hold his current positions during the period as interim CFO of Global Geo Services. The company has been requested by the Oslo Stock Exchange to explain the actions and considerations leading to the auditor’s qualifications regarding the 2005 and 2006 financial statements, as well as the actions taken and/or planned to ensure that the company in the future will comply with applicable legislation and generally accepted accounting and information principles.

MMS appointsLuthi as director

Randall Luthi has been named director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS). Luthi, formerly deputy director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is a former speaker and majority leader of the Wyoming House of Representatives. Luthi graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree, and earned a JD from the University of Wyoming. The Minerals Management Service is the federal agency that manages the nation’s natural gas, oil, and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS).

Martin resigns VP post at Storm Cat

Storm Cat Energy Corp.’s VP of Canadian and international operations, Don Martin, has resigned his position to pursue other opportunities. Storm Cat is an independent oil and gas company focused on the pursuit, exploration, and development of large unconventional gas reserves from fractured shales, coal beds, and tight sand formations.

BHP makes changes to senior management team

BHP Billiton has made changes to its senior management team, to be known as the Group Management Committee. The group will comprise of CEO, Chip Goodyear (to be succeeded by Marius Kloppers on October 1); group executive and chief executive non-ferrous (Marius Kloppers until October 1); group executive and chief executive ferrous and coal, Marcus Randolph; group executive and chief executive petroleum, J. Michael Yeager; group executive and CFO, Alex Vanselow; group executive and chief people officer, Karen Wood; and group executive and chief commercial officer, Alberto Calderon. The role of chief executive non-ferrous will be occupied by Kloppers until October 1st. His replacement will be announced in due course. Calderon is a new member of the team. Prior to his appointment he served as president of the Diamonds and Specialty Products Customer Sector Group.

Howard joins Houstonoffice of Haynes and Boone

Arthur A. Howard has accepted an of counsel position with the Haynes and Boone LLP Houston office. His practice centers on corporate securities, finance, mergers, acquisitions, business transactions, and advisory services. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1990 and has served as CEO, president, COO, general counsel, and director in the manufacturing, construction, investment advisory, pension consulting, and financial services industries. Howard earned his bachelor’s degree at Northeastern State University. Haynes and Boone LLP is an international corporate law firm providing a full spectrum of legal services.

Lowrey replaces Lamboleyas Shell general counsel

Shell Oil Co. has named William C. Lowrey to replace Catherine A. Lamboley as general counsel. She is retiring after 28 years with the company. Lowrey previously served as associate general counsel for Shell Trading and Shell Gas & Power. Lowery has 27 years experience with the company and has legal experience encompassing all facets of the business from exploration and production through oil products.

Global Geo Services replaces Berglundwith Oversjoen as CEO

Global Geo Services ASA has appointed Knut Oversjoen as CEO. The engagement of Eddie Berglund as CEO has been terminated. Oversjoen previously worked as executive VP for finance and M&A in Umoe ASA, as CEO in Kverneland ASA, and as CFO in Petroleum Geo Services ASA and Hafslund ASA.

TAQA names Bowyer head of upstream E&P

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. has appointed Steve Bowyer as head of upstream exploration and production with responsibility for all global E&P assets. Based in TAQA’s Abu Dhabi headquarters office, Bowyer is reservoir engineer and has held Deputy OIM and asset manager roles with Petroleum Engineering Services, JP Kenny Caledonia, J. Ray McDermott, and Talisman Energy UK.

Head joins Harvest Natural Resources

Houston-based Harvest Natural Resources has added Keith Head as vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. He previously served in several positions for Duke Energy Corp., most recently as associate general counsel. Head received both a JD and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. He replaces Kerry Brittain who retired in June. Harvest Natural Resources is an independent energy company with principal operations in Venezuela and business development offices in Russia and the UK.

Williams sets retirement date; succession process underway at Petroleum Development

Petroleum Development Corp.’s chairman and CEO, Steven R. Williams, has set a retirement date for the end of 2008. A formal succession process for PDC’s next CEO has commenced and will be managed by the company’s independent directors. The company has recently appointed Daniel Amidon as general counsel. Amidon recently held the position of vice president, law with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. Amidon brings extensive experience to PDC in the areas of corporate law, contract negotiation, corporate governance, litigation management, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a JD degree from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. Petroleum Development Corp. is an independent energy company engaged in the development, production, and marketing of natural gas and oil.

Senior VP roles for Onifer, Albert, Craig at CNX Gas

CNX Gas Corp. has made recent promotions. J. Michael Onifer has been promoted to senior VP - established business units and Randall M. Albert has been promoted to senior VP - emerging business units. Onifer will continue to be responsible for Virginia Operations, while Randall Albert will continue to be responsible for Mountaineer, as well as the Nittany and Cardinal exploratory plays. CNX Gas has also made a new hire, Dr. DeAnn Craig, who is senior VP - asset assessment. Craig was most recently employed by Chevron North America Exploration and Production, where her duties included assisting in capital budget preparation and analysis. Onifer graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree. In 2004, he attended the program for management development at the Harvard Business School. Albert graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree. He joined CNX Gas in 1990. Craig earned her PhD, two master’s degrees, and a bachelor’s degree from the Colorado School of Mines. She holds an MBA from Regis University in Denver. CNX is an independent natural gas exploration, development, production, and gathering company operating in the Appalachian and Illinois basins of the US.

Hare relinquishesco-president role at Panhandle Oil and Gas

D. Hare has relinquished his duties as co-president/COO of Panhandle Oil and Gas Inc. for health reasons. Michael C. Coffman, who previously served as co-president/CFO, has assumed the title of president. The company has begun a search for a new COO. Coffman has been with Panhandle for 17 years in various executive positions. Hare will assume the title of technical and operations advisor to the president, and will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. Panhandle Oil and Gas Inc. is engaged in the exploration for and production of natural gas and oil.