Energy Players

Mark A. Jackson has resigned from the positions of chairman of the board, president, and CEO of Noble Corp. The board has appointed William A. Sears, a director of the company since January 1998, to serve as chairman, president, and CEO on an interim basis. Sears has over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and retired from his position as director of operations for British Petroleum Exploration in 1997. The board has formed a search committee to review internal and external candidates to fill the president and CEO position on a permanent basis.

Endeavour adds to executive leadership team

Kirksey

Endeavour International Corp. has added two new members to its executive leadership team. John G. Williams has been named executive VP of exploration, and J. Michael Kirksey has been appointed executive VP and CFO. Williams has more than 30 years of global energy experience with a major portion of his career focused on exploration activities in the North Sea and other European basins. He spent 17 years in exploration and managerial roles with Conoco and ConocoPhillips. Most recently, he was executive VP of exploration and production for Index Oil and Gas. Kirksey has a background in operational and financial management in the energy industry and related manufacturing and distribution organizations. He has served in executive roles for Metals USA, and most recently was CFO for Input Output Inc. and Sirva Inc. Endeavour is an international oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of energy reserves in the North Sea. Additionally, the company has awarded an inducement grant to John G. Williams, executive VP of exploration. In his new role, he will lead the company’s exploration activities in the UK and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea. Williams will be awarded an inducement grant of 400,000 shares of Endeavour restricted common stock and options to purchase 200,000 shares of Endeavour common stock at the hiring date’s closing price per share. He has more than 30 years of global energy experience. Most recently, he was executive VP of exploration and production for Index Oil and Gas.

EMGS appoints Bekker COO

EMGS has appointed Roar Bekker as the new COO. Bekker will be in charge of most of the daily operations and will be reporting to CEO Terje Eidesmo. Bekker has a strong technical background and extensive international management experience. He comes from the position of VP of industry affairs for Schlumberger Norway. He holds a masters degree from University of Oslo.

AMEX hires Rado as president, COO

The American Stock Exchange has appointed Patricia Rado as president and COO. Rado, the former VP, controller, and CAO of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., will be responsible for managing the operations and growth of Amex’s businesses. Rado, who retired from PSEG in January, 2007, is a former independent governor of the Amex Board of Governors. She served as chair of the audit committee, member of the finance committee and member of the executive committee. She received a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State College and an MBA from the University of New Haven. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Advanced Management Program.

Rudstrom elected CFO at Ocean HeavyLift

Starting January 1, 2008, Sunniva Rudstrom will be the new CFO of Ocean HeavyLift. She is currently working as a consultant. Rudstrom brings experience from various positions held in Norsk Hydro and Yara International. From 2001–2006 she was director of finance and business administration in Hydro Formates/Yara Formates. Rudstrom graduated from the Norwegian School of Management in 1989.

Mediterranean Oil & Gas taps Morandi as CEO

Sergio Morandi has been added to Mediterranean Oil & Gas as director and CEO. Morandi has 27 years’ experience in the oil industry. During his service with Elf Group he was involved with the discovery of Ombrina Mare oil field and as exploration manager with Elf Italiana, he was involved in the evaluation of the Monte Grosso prospect. Giovanni Catalano’s role in the company will change from CEO to a non–executive director and a consultant exclusive to MOG. Catalano joined the company for a specific term as CEO, which is now coming to an end.

Franson new VPfor Bank of Ireland’s finance team

Bank of Ireland has added Robert D. Franson to its North American Global Project Finance team. Franson, VP, will focus primarily on the provision of debt funding solutions for companies active in the energy sector. He joins the team from GE Capital, where he was VP, energy financial services group, and will be based in Bank of Ireland’s branch office in Stamford, Conn. Bank of Ireland’s coverage of the energy sector is reflected in recent projects, including the financing of a major LNG receiving terminal and a number of wind energy projects in the US, several gas–fired power plants in Canada, a UK power plant, and a production company in the North Sea.

DBRS appoints Caviness SVP, US Oil & Gas Group

Toronto–based DBRS has named Bryan Caviness as senior VP in its US Oil & Gas group. Caviness will be based in New York and will be responsible for expanding DBRS’s coverage of US–based oil and gas companies. Caviness joins DBRS from Fitch Ratings, where he managed a team that followed North American midstream and pipeline energy companies. Previously, he was lead analyst for several integrated upstream and refining companies. Caviness received his master’s degree from the JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. DBRS is a privately–owned, international rating agency that provides rating opinions to the world’s capital markets. DBRS offers credit analysis of corporate, financial institutions, and government issues in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Texas American Resources and affiliate name VPs

Austin–based Texas American Resources Co. has appointed Jerry Kennedy as its VP of eploration. Kennedy has worked for Hess Corp. over the last 25 years and has broad experience internationally and domestically in the oil and gas industry. He received a bachelor’s degree from Long Island University and a master’s degree from Rice University. Texas American Resources Co. is a privately–held, independent energy company. Since its founding in 1990, TARC has focused on the acquisition and exploitation of proved or near proved properties in Texas and the Rocky Mountain region. Additionally, Texas American Resources–Asia (TARA), an affiliate of Texas American Resources–Austin, Tex., has named Bryan Yam VP of international business development. Yam has 30 years international business experience, having most recently worked for Kerr–McGee. Headquartered in Beijing, TARA’s principal assets consist of two blocks in the Pearl River Area of the South China Sea, making TARA the first privately–held company to have assets in the South China Sea.

Petrofac names Dunnett VP of energy development

Dunnett

Petrofac has appointed William Dunnett as executive VP, Petrofac Energy Developments. Dunnett brings over 20 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry having worked for organizations including Mobil, Shell, and a number of executive positions within Halliburton and KBR, most recently with responsibility for all strategic business with Shell. Dunnett will be responsible for asset development within Petrofac Energy Developments, including leading the project management of the greater Don area in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.

Production Enhancement Group taps president, COO, for operating subsidiary

Houston–based Production Enhancement Group Inc. has named Don B. Cobb president and COO of WISE Well Intervention Services Inc., PEG’s operating subsidiary. Cobb’s responsibilities will include directing and administering the operating divisions of WISE and assisting PEG’s president and CEO in the development and execution of corporate strategies and strategic objectives. Cobb has 33 years of domestic and international oil and gas services experience. Most recently he was executive VP of Boots and Coots Services in charge of all international operations including South America, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. He also spent 22 years with Baker Hughes. Production Enhancement Group is an energy services company incorporated in Alberta, Canada. PEG’s wholly–owned subsidiary, WISE Well Intervention Services Inc., has developed patented WISE(R) multifunction coiled tubing technologies and markets a full range of coiled tubing, pressure pumping and wireline services.

ModuSpec appoints Lewand VP, GM

Lewand

ModuSpec USA Inc. has appointed Peter F. Lewand as VP and general manager. Lewand has been in the oil and gas industry for over 25 years serving in various engineering and managerial capacities with an emphasis on service operations for Schlumberger and FMC Technologies. His most recent role with FMC was Western Hemisphere Subsea Services manager. He received his BS from The New York Institute of Technology and his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. ModuSpec is an independent risk management services company.

Ditlev–Simonsen leaves Hydro

Executive VP Cecilie Ditlev–Simonsen is leaving her position with Norsk Hydro. An agreement was signed in which an acceptable solution was reached. After a six month period of notice, Ditley–Simonsen is guaranteed a salary for 11 months. She will be available for the company during this time but is exempt from work obligations.

Herbst elected regional director

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has selected Lars Herbst as the new regional director of MMS’s Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region. Herbst will manages the leasing of OCS lands off five Gulf Coast states for oil, gas, and other mineral development, and will supervise the regulation of operations and protection of the environment on more than 7,000 leases, which involve more than 4,000 platforms. Herbst has been with the MMS since 1983. He has served as district manager of the New Orleans district, as deputy regional supervisor and regional supervisor of field operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University.

Falcon elects five new board members

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. has added to its board. Igor Akhmerov, David E. Fisher, Daryl H. Gilbert, Jan Van Holsbeeck, and Prof. Ferenc Horvath have been elected to the board. Akhmerov is the founder and CEO of Avelar Energy Group, an international group of energy companies based in Zurich. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Moscow Institute of Management, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, and a master’s degree from the Lauder Institute of International Relations. Fisher currently serves as a director of Terra Industries Inc., and is the chairman of the audit committee and member of the compensation committee of Terra. Fisher has over 25 years of experience in the natural resources and extractive industries. Gilbert is currently an independent businessman in Calgary, Alberta and serves as a director of several energy related public entities. Van Holsbeeck is an investment advisor and a director of Plaza Luxembourg SA, a private research and consulting company. He holds a master’s degree from Vlekho Business School and one from the Belgian Association of Financial Analysts. Horvath is currently the director of the Institute of Geography and Earth Science, Eotvos Lorand University and a professor and head of the Department of Geophysics. He has over 30 years of experience in basin analysis, seismic interpretation, plate tectonic reconstruction, and hydrocarbon prospect analysis. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. is a British Columbia corporation which is in the business of oil and gas exploration and production.

Finance partner Ellen Friedman joins Thelen in New York

Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP, an international law firm, has added Ellen Friedman to the firm’s New York office as a partner in the business and finance department. Friedman joins Thelen from Dewey Ballantine LLP in New York where she has been a partner and has practiced for the past 17 years. Freidman’s practice is focused on energy and project finance. Her experience includes acquisitions and dispositions of energy assets, as well as restructurings, securities offerings and related litigation. Friedman received her JD cum laude from Fordham University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.

Pride International electsPhillips to board of directors

Houston–based Pride International Inc. has elected Robert G. Phillips to the company’s board of directors. Over the past 26 years, Phillips has served in numerous senior management positions in the oil and gas industry, most recently until June 2007 as president and CEO and a director of the general partner of Enterprise Oil Products Partners LP. Phillips also served as CEO of the general partner of GulfTerra Energy Partners LP from 1999 to 2004 prior to its acquisition by Enterprise, and held numerous management positions with El Paso Corp. and its affiliated companies. Pride International is one of the world’s largest drilling contractors. The company provides offshore and land drilling and related services.

ONIK Consulting taps Sylvester VP – Americas

Sylvester

IONIK Consulting, part of international energy services company John Wood Group PLC, has appointed Tim Sylvester to VP – Americas. Sylvester is responsible for the management of IONIK’s operations in the Americas and West Africa region. He has more than 25 years of experience in engineering, business development, and operations. Prior to joining IONIK, he worked for Shell Global Solutions Inc. as VP of business development for its pipeline services division. IONIK Consulting is a global provider of business solutions in materials, engineering, and life–cycle integrity management.

Continental Energy appoints new director

Continental Energy has appointed Phillip B. Garrison to the board of directors to fill a vacancy until the next general meeting. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University. He is presently working with Specialist Group Dubai as its executive officer in charge of operations for its British Military contracts providing logistics, bulk fuels transportation, and waste management services in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East region.

Medco Energi US appoints new president

Medco Energi US LLC has appointed L. Dale Wooddy III as its new president. Wooddy, a former Chevron and Ocean Energy executive has nearly 30 years of international and domestic oil and gas related experience. Wooddy founded the petroleum industry’s first dedicated web–based oil and gas property brokerage and has served as an officer and principal in a variety of oilfield service related businesses. Medco Energi US, a wholly–owned subsidiary of PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk, is engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition, and production of oil and natural gas reserves in the Gulf of Mexico.

Vessey to lead corporate strategies at Pace Global

Robert C. Vessey has been promoted to lead the corporate strategic services practice at Pace Global Energy Services LLC. He has 17 years of global energy experience. He most recently served as VP and managing director of international programs for Pace Global.

Eivind Reiten steps down as chair of StatoilHydro

Eivind Reiten has stepped down as chair in StatoilHydro ASA. The deputy chair Marit Arnstad will take over as acting chair. Arnstad will remain acting chair until the corporate assembly can elect a new director of the board and a new chair of the board. In a stock market announcement from Norsk Hydro ASA, it is stated that, “The investigations so far indicate that Hydro may have had more extensive contact, and made more active use of the consultancy firm in question, than has previously emerged.” Out of consideration for StatoilHydro ASA, Reiten decided to step down. The review of matters relating to Hydro’s oil and energy activities in Libya initiated by StatoilHydro’s CEO Helge Lund, will be implemented as planned.