Maersk Drilling appoints new innovation officer

DENMARK -- Morten Kelstrup has been named Maersk Drilling’s chief commercial & innovation officer to lead the newly-established commercial and innovation function. Previously, Mr. Morten was managing director of Maersk Oil UK. Prior that, he was managing director of Maersk Oil Kazakhstan.

"I am very pleased to welcome Morten to Maersk Drilling. Morten has extensive leadership and first-hand experience in the industry, and he understands the current market and the needs of Maersk Drilling's customers. His proven record of successfully driving business innovation will be a great asset in Maersk Drilling's commitment to reducing well costs for customers,” says Jørn Madsen, CEO in Maersk Drilling.

New commercial and innovation function. Morten will lead the joint commercial and innovation function that has been established to reflect Maersk Drilling's enhanced focus on creating value for customers through partnerships, digital solutions, applied technologies and new business models.

“The new function will commercialize the innovation that’s already taking place throughout the organization and bring new value propositions to the market. I am confident that Morten will help strengthen Maersk Drilling's collaboration across the industry, which is crucial in creating joint value for partners and customers. We have already started to identify new business models which will form the initial projects for the function," says Jørn Madsen.

Committed to reducing well costs. Maersk Drilling is committed to reducing well costs for its customers. In November 2017, the company announced a strategic partnership with Aker BP aimed at lowering the cost/bbl while increasing profitability for the alliance partners by driving efficiency through waste reduction and investment in new technology.