People in the industry

Aker Solutions has appointed David Clark to regional president of the UK and Africa, effective Sept. 21. He will oversee the expansion and support operations in these markets. Clark brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as V.P. of production facilities for Schlumberger. Additionally, he held leadership positions at Wood Group and Technip. Based in London, Clark will work on expanding Aker Solutions’ international presence with a special focus on the African market. He will report directly to CEO Luis Araujo.

Denbury Resources Inc. has appointed Chris Kendall to COO, effective Sept. 8. Kendall assumes the role from Phil Rykhoek, president and CEO, who has been serving in that capacity on an interim basis. Kendall joins the company from Noble Energy, Inc., where he served as senior V.P., Global Operations Services. He brings more than 26 years of industry experience.

Power and automation technology group, ABB, has appointed Nathalie Pilon to managing director for Canada, effective Oct. 1. She replaces Daniel Assandri, who has led the successful expansion of Canadian business over the past five years. Previously, Pilon served as president of Thomas & Betts Power Solutions, as well as V.P. of the Low Voltage Products division of ABB. A Quebec native, Pilon has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing, developing and marketing electrical products in Canada.

Greene’s Energy Group, LLC, has named Michael Hayes as V.P. and general manager of pressure testing and services (PTS), and the engineering group. Based in Houston, Hayes will implement corporate initiatives and business strategies relating to the operations of the PTS product service line. Hayes has more than 30 years of operational experience across the globe. Most recently, he served as V.P. of the U.S. eastern region for Frank’s International and for Weatherford International.

Eric A. Silva has been promoted to senior V.P. of operations support at Oceaneering International, Inc. He replaces Alan R. Curtis, who has been appointed senior V.P. and CFO. Silva joined the company in 2014, and previously held the position of V.P. and chief information officer. His new duties will include leadership of information technology, as well as additional responsibility for human resources, supply chain management and internal audit. Silva has more than 30 years of chemical, energy, and oil and gas industry experience.

Smith Flow Control has promoted Sander van den Bos to international business development manager. Van den Bos, who joined the company in 2010, will be expanding the company’s reach by developing new market, product and application opportunities worldwide. He brings more than 18 years of international sales experience to his new role, and will continue to manage the sales and technical support teams.

Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, has appointed Martin Charles to group managing director. Charles replaces former President Chris Brooks, who has left the company after eight years of service. Charles joined Aquatic in 2014 as regional general manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and had been promoted to COO earlier this year. Charles brings considerable knowledge and experience in oil and gas, and associated market sectors, to his new position.

Brandon Buzarde has been named the new V.P. of international sales for Cubility AS. Based in Houston, Buzarde is tasked with increasing sales growth for the company’s MudCube technology, and will lead a worldwide sales team. He comes to Cubility from National Oilwell Varco, where he most recently served as global account V.P. Other changes include former V.P. of sales and marketing, Tore Grelland, taking on the role of V.P., Business Development and Operations. Additionally, former COO, Arne Thomas Haaland, will become V.P. of technologies, and Knut Haga will move from CTO to V.P. of projects.

CH2M has promoted Bob Prasad to V.P. of business development for the company’s oil, gas and chemicals business group. Working out of the company’s Vancouver office, he will drive growth in Canada and the western U.S. Prasad joined the company in 2001, and has succeeded in delivering multi-million-dollar projects. He has more than 28 years of industry experience.

Knight Oil Tools has promoted Rickey Tauzin to executive V.P. of sales. He will manage the company’s sales efforts in all regions and product lines. Tauzin holds a BS degree in business administration and management from Louisiana Tech University, and has more than 35 years of experience in oilfield fishing services and rental tool operations. He has worked for Knight Oil Tools since 2007, and held the position of V.P. of sales before his promotion.

Ross Peebles has been selected to serve as interim CEO for Global Geophysical Services, Inc., effective immediately. Peebles takes over from Richard White, who is retiring as president and CEO, and as a member of the board of directors.  Peebles most recently served as senior V.P. and COO, overseeing the company’s North American, Latin American and Eastern Hemisphere operations.

Amin H. Nasser has been named president and CEO of Saudi Arabian Oil Co. Nasser had been named interim CEO in May, replacing Khalid Al-Falih. Nasser joined the company in 1982, and has since held various positions within the firm, including service as a member of the board of directors. Most recently, he served as senior V.P. of Upstream. Additionally, he is an active member of SPE, and has served on the Advisory Council since 2008.

Wenche Agerup has been elected to Statoil ASA’s board of directors. Agerup was formerly the executive V.P. for corporate staffs and general counsel of Norsk Hydro ASA from 2010 to 2014. She has held other various executive positions at Hydro since 1997. Additionally, she is a board member in Oslo Børs Holding VPS ASA/Oslo Børs ASA and TGS.

Noted offshore industry pioneer, Edward E. Horton, III, passed away on Aug. 13 at the age of 87. As principal engineer for the National Academy of Science on the Mohole project, Horton contributed to the creation of a drilling technology test bed for the offshore industry. He was then appointed V.P. and board member of Ocean Science and Engineering. As the named inventor of what are considered today’s standard deepwater concepts, spars and tension leg platforms, Horton became one of the most recognized inventors in the offshore oil and gas industry. Additionally, he was the founder and president of several offshore development companies, including Deep Oil Technology. More recently, Horton had been focused on creating a vessel with a design that could be adapted to evacuate offshore workers. He was also a decorated naval veteran of the Korean War.