Energy Players

ENSCO International Inc. has approved the succession plan for the company’s CEO, appointing Daniel W. Rabun, currently president and a member of the ENSCO board of directors, to succeed Carl F. Thorne as CEO. Thorne will continue to serve as non-executive chairman of the board. ENSCO, headquartered in Dallas, owns and operates a fleet of offshore drilling rigs servicing the petroleum industry on a global basis.

Linn Energy hires Ellis as executive VP; COO

Linn Energy LLC appointed Mark E. Ellis as executive vice president and COO. Ellis’ career in the oil and gas industry spans over 25 years, and he was previously president of the lower 48 for ConocoPhillips. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of North American production for Burlington Resources and president of Burlington Resources Canada Ltd. He began his career with The Superior Oil Co. in 1979. Linn Energy is an independent oil and gas company focused on the development and acquisition of long-lived properties which complement its asset profile in producing basins within the United States.

Cameron elects Moore president, COO; other management changes

Cameron’s board of directors has elected Jack B. Moore as president and COO of the company. Moore currently serves as president of Cameron’s drilling and production systems group, and is a senior vice president of Cameron. Sheldon R. Erikson, currently chairman, president, and CEO, will continue to serve as chairman and CEO. Also, the board has named John D. Carne, president of the valves and measurement group, to replace Moore as president of the DPS organization, and James E. Wright, currently president of the distributed and process valves division within V&M, to replace Carne as president of the V&M group. In addition, Wright has been elected as a vice president of Cameron. Moore joined Cameron in July 1999 after 23 years with Baker Hughes Inc. He holds a BBA degree from the University of Houston. Carne joined the company in 1971. He will also continue to be a senior vice president of Cameron. Wright has been with the company since 1979. He previously served as vice president and general manager of the Distributed Products group, and has extensive domestic and international experience.

EPiC appoints new director

EPiC Capital Group Inc. has named John Sherwood to its board of directors, increasing the company’s total number of directors to four. Sherwood, who will serve as an independent director, is CEO of Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners. He has held management positions with Baker Hughes, Western Atlas, Conoco, Gulf Oil, and BP. EPiC is an independent energy and engineering company focused on acquiring and developing oil and gas producing assets and alternative renewable energy projects.

Cano Petroleum appoints McKinney to senior VP

Cano Petroleum Inc. has named Patrick M. McKinney to senior vice president - engineering and operations. McKinney brings more than 24 years of progressive oil and gas industry experience. He joined Cano in June of 2006 as vice president - engineering and business development after serving as the worldwide strategic portfolio manager for Pioneer Natural Resources. He also spent more than 17 years with Union Pacific Corp. McKinney received his BS degree from University of Wyoming and his MBA from Pepperdine University. Cano Petroleum Inc. is an independent Texas-based energy producer with properties in the mid-continent region of the United States.

Greater Sooner Holdings names CEO and president

Greater Sooner Holdings Inc.’s board of directors has appointed Christopher P. Scully to serve as both CEO and president. Scully began his oil and gas career as chief area landman for Patrick Petroleum in Jackson, Mich. in 1976. Since then he has co-founded several independent oil and gas exploration companies, as well as co-founding San Juan Partners LLC, an entity whose investors included EnCap Investments and First Union Capital Partners. Russell Krauss plans to continue in a non-executive role as chairman of the board. Greater Sooner Holdings Inc., based in Houston, is an investment holding company with primary interests in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production.

Crosstex Energy appoints Purgason executive VP, COO

Crosstex Energy LP has appointed Robert S. Purgason as executive vice president and COO, a newly appointed position. Purgason will be responsible for the company’s daily operations. He joined Crosstex in October 2004 as senior vice president of the treating division. Purgason has more than 25 years of diversified oil and gas industry experience. Prior to joining Crosstex, he worked for The Williams Companies in Tulsa, Okla., where he was vice president of the Gulf Coast midstream business. He spent 18 years at Williams in various senior-level positions in natural gas liquids, gas marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and major project development. He began his career at Perry Gas Companies. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Newfield taps Van Horn for senior VP post; Jasek VP of GoM division

Newfield Exploration Co. has named Michael D. Van Horn to the position of senior vice president - exploration. Van Horn replaces Elliott Pew, Newfield’s executive vice president - exploration, who has elected to retire. Van Horn brings 28 years of oil and gas experience. He served at EOG Resources, and its predecessor Enron Oil and Gas, since 1993. Most recently, he served as vice president of international exploration. Prior to that position, he was director of exploration. Prior to EOG Resources, Van Horn worked for British Gas E&P Inc. and Tenneco Oil Co. He holds a BS degree from the University of Nevada and an MS degree from the Colorado School of Mines.

The company has also promoted John H. Jasek to vice president and general manager - Gulf of Mexico. He was previously general manager - Gulf of Mexico. Prior to joining Newfield in 2000, Jasek worked for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Amoco Production Co. He is a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.

Petroleum Development creates and fills CAO position; names new CFO

Petroleum Development Corp. has created the position of chief accounting officer, and has made a change in the position of CFO. Darwin L. Stump, formerly CFO, was elected to fill the new position of CAO, and Richard W. McCullough was elected to fill the positions of CFO and treasurer. Darwin L. Stump has served as CFO and treasurer since November 2003. He has been an officer of the company since April 1995 and held the position of corporate controller since 1980 when he joined the company. Prior to joining PDC, Stump was a senior accountant with Main Hurdman. He is a graduate of West Virginia University with a BSBA. Richard L. McCullough is a financial executive with over 29 years of experience working both for and with utilities and energy companies. He previously held the position of president and CEO of Gasource LLC. McCullough has also held senior positions with JP Morgan Securities, Progress Energy, Deloitte and Touche, and the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. He holds both BS and MS degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. Petroleum Development Corp. is an independent energy company engaged in the development, production, and marketing of natural gas and oil.

Financial Objects doubles its team

Financial Objects plc, a supplier of software solutions for banking, wealth management, and energy, has made a push to focus on the growth of the energy industry with energycredit, its credit risk management solution. The company has doubled the size of its energy division. Glenn Barnett joins Debbie Brackett (COO of the Americas operation) and her team as vice president sales and marketing for the Americas. Charlotte Wales has been appointed as senior sales executive to head up the European sales operation. Lee Campbell joins as operations director, moving from Barclays Capital. Recently the company won a major contract to install its energy credit risk software with Shell International Trading and Shipping Co. Ltd. The company’s North American offices are in Houston and New York.

Robert Croyle joins Boots & Coots board

Boots & Coots International Well Control Inc. has appointed Robert G. Croyle to its board of directors. Croyle, who will serve as a Class 1 director, is vice chairman and chief administrative officer of Rowan Companies Inc., an international offshore and land drilling contractor. Croyle has held various positions with Rowan Companies since 1973, including serving as a director since 1998. In 1993, he was appointed executive vice president with management responsibility for Rowan’s aviation and manufacturing divisions. He held this position until 2002, when he was named to his current positions. The board of directors also elected Douglas Swanson, a current member of the board since the purchase of Oil States International’s hydraulic well control division in March 2006 and CEO of Oil States International, as chairman. Swanson succeeds Kirk Krist, who will continue to serve on the board of directors. Krist was re-elected for a 3-year term as a class III director in September 2006.

Langlands becomes Wood Group chief executive

The board of John Wood Group PLC has elected Allister Langlands the new group chief executive. He has been with the group for 15 years, initially as group finance director and then as deputy chief executive for the last 7 years. Sir Ian Wood, currently chairman and group chief executive, will continue in the chairman’s role.

Darricarrère to lead E&P for Total

Total has named Yves-Louis Darricarrère as president, exploration and production, effective in February, when Christophe de Margerie takes over as CEO. Darricarrère is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris and also has undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics. President of Total Gas & Power and a member of the executive committee since September 2003, he began his career with Elf Aquitaine in 1978, working first in the mining division in Australia and subsequently in exploration and production. In 2000, he was named senior vice president, Northern Europe for the exploration and production business and joined the group’s management committee. Darricarrère has extensive international experience, including 10 years working in Australia, Egypt, and Colombia.

Noble Denton makes executive appointments

A number of senior executive changes are being made at Noble Denton. The Noble Denton Group has named Richard Bush to the new position of group ventures director to lead and integrate new acquisitions into the group. The Far East companies within the Noble Denton Group will be directed by Stuart Guy who is taking over from Bush. The role of brand protection director has been accepted by Nigel Robinson. Robinson was previously the deputy brand protection director.

Hydril’s board elects Seaver as chairman

The board of directors of Hydril has elected Christopher T. Seaver as chairman of the board, in addition to his continuing leadership as president and CEO. Seaver has served as CEO and a director since 1997, and as president since 1993. He joined the company in 1985. Prior to joining Hydril, Seaver was a corporate and securities lawyer and, before that, a Foreign Service officer with postings in Kinshasa, Congo and Bogota, Colombia. He holds JD and MBA degrees from Stanford University. Hydril Co., headquartered in Houston, is engaged worldwide in engineering, manufacturing, and marketing connection and pressure control products used for oil and gas drilling and production.

Bargach joins Lime Rock Partners as managing director

Saad Bargach has joined the Lime Rock Partners investment team as a managing director in the firm’s Houston office. From a 23-year career at Schlumberger Ltd., most recently as chief information officer and, before that, president, well completions and productivity, Bargach brings significant technical, executive, and international operating experience to the company. Bargach holds degrees in both electrical engineering and control systems.

Seadrill strengthens corporate management

Seadrill has made two new appointments within the company’s senior management team. Alf C. Thorkildsen, formerly CFO, is now COO, a newly established position in Seadrill Management AS. Thorkildsen joined the company in 2001. Effective March 1, 2007, Trond Brandsrud will be CFO. Brandsrud has been employed by Shell for more than 20 years and has held several positions in Norske Shell, Shell International, and Shell Exploration & Production Europe. Trond Brandsrud graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration and holds an MSc degree in business administration.

Former Madagascar Oil co-CEO completes transition process

The transition period with Alex Archila, who was appointed joint chief executive on July 26, 2006, has ended and company founder Sam Malin will relinquish the chief executive post and step down as director from the board of Madagascar Oil Ltd., a privately-held exploration and production company. He will remain as a consultant to the company. Madagascar Oil Ltd. is an oil and gas exploration and production company focusing on the development of onshore heavy oil fields and exploration of onshore conventional oil and gas prospects in Madagascar.

Melrose Resources taps Wyatt for non-executive director post

Melrose Resources has appointed William Wyatt as a non-executive director of the company. Wyatt is also a director of Caledonia Investments plc, Avanti Screenmedia Group plc, and Terrace Hill Group plc. He was previously a director of Meinl European Land Ltd., a company listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, until his resignation in July 2004.

Forest Oil elects Carroll as director

Forest Oil Corp. has elected Loren K. Carroll to the company’s board of directors. Carroll recently retired as president and CEO of M-I SWACO and as executive vice president of Smith International Inc. He serves as a director of Smith International Inc., Fleetwood Enterprises Inc., and as a director of Veritas DGC Inc. Carroll joined Smith International in December 1984 as vice president and CFO. In January 1988 he was appointed executive vice president and CFO of Smith International and served in that capacity until March 1989. Carroll then rejoined Smith International in 1992 as executive vice president and CFO.

Petrobras makes executive staff changes

Petrobras has made the following changes to the company’s international area executive staff: Alberto Guimaraes, currently Petrobras Energia S.A.’s general executive director will take over as the president for Petrobras America Inc.; Carlos Fontes, currently Petrobras Energia S.A.’s director for refining and petrochemicals, will become the general executive director for Petrobras Energia S.A.; Renato Bertani, currently the managing director for Petrobras America Inc., will take over as the executive manager for the Americas, Africa, and Eurasia at the international area, at a the company’s headquarters; Joao Carlos Figueira, currently the executive manager for the Americas, Africa, and Eurasia at the company’s headquarters will take over as exploration and production director at Petrobras America.

CapRock taps Olivier as COO

CapRock Communications has appointed Bryan Olivier as the company’s COO. Olivier moves into this role from his former position as the company’s chief technology officer. Responsibilities of the chief operating officer were previously held by Errol Olivier, who is retiring after nearly 17 years of service with the company. Previously, over an 8-year period in his career, Olivier held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at CapRock, including vice president of engineering and network construction. He went on to become CTO of Clearwire Technologies, and later became COO of NovoLink Communications, before returning to CapRock earlier this year as CTO. CapRock Communications is a global satellite communications provider for the offshore energy, maritime, construction and mining industries, as well as for disaster relief and government applications.

Calderon names new head of Pemex

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has named former Energy Secretary Jesus Reyes Heroles to be the new head of state-owned oil company Pemex. Reyes Heroles was energy secretary from 1995 to 1997 in the administration of President Ernesto Zedillo of the Institutional Revolutionary Party. He also served as Mexico’s ambassador to the US from 1997 to 2000. Pemex is the third-largest producer of crude in the world and one of the largest suppliers to the United States.

ISA general manager named Ecopetrol head

Javier Gutierrez Pemberthy has been appointed as president of Colombia’s national oil company Ecopetrol. Before the appointment he was general manager of ISA, Colombia’s state-controlled electricity company. The executive worked at ISA during an unprecedented period of domestic and international expansion for the utility during which it entered Brazil and Peru. Ecopetrol has been initially cleared by Colombian lawmakers to sell 20% of its shares on the open market.

Viking Drilling names new president, controller

W. Dennis Heagney has accepted the position as president and CEO of Viking Drilling ASA. Heagney has more than 30 years of experience in the offshore drilling industry. He has served as COO of Transocean Inc., and president of Sonat Offshore Drilling. Most recently, he served as senior vice president - business development of Songa Management in Houston. Heagney is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a professional degree in petroleum engineering. The organization is further strengthened with Youllonda Driver, who has accepted the position as controller. She has been working as controller of Songa Management in Houston and has held several positions with Transocean Offshore Inc. Ole Geir Hagen will act as the company’s CFO.