PEOPLE

Ashtead Technology named Tim Sheehan commercial director.

Doug Suttles has taken the reins as president, CEO, and a director of Encana.

Gordon Birrell will serve as chair of the management committee for the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers.

The World Energy Council named Dr. Nicolas M. Depetris Chauvin regional manager for the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Chesapeake Energy appointed Patrick Craine as chief compliance officer.

Chevron Corp. selected Jeff Shellebarger as president of Chevron North America E&P Co. to succeed Gary Luquette, who is retiring after 35 years with the company.

Deborah Stevenson joined Harkand as CFO.

David Brunnert joined Express Energy Services as executive vice president and COO.

The Southern Research Institute board of directors elected Arthur J. Tipton president and CEO.

Dale Michaud has taken over duties as director of operations for the Middle East region at Solomon Associates.

Devon Energy Corp. promoted David A. Hager to COO and Tony Vaughn to executive vice president of E&P.

Absoft named Scott Simpson director of the oil and gas business unit, Debbie Mackenzie director of the public sector unit, and Stan Cawsey leader of the manufacturing team.

Joy Brown Kirst will serve as managing partner at Park Brown International’s new Houston office.

Zahid Yoosufani has assumed responsibility as director and unit leader for the Petroleum Extension Service at the University of Texas at Austin.

Senergy appointed Ian Williamson as vice president of contracts and commercial and Dave Reed as vice president of business efficiency.

Gerry Miller has assumed responsibility as vice president of sales, marketing, and commercial at Claxton Engineering Services Ltd. The company also named Nicholas Dale business development manager for Southeast Asia.

Willbros Group Inc. selected Earl Collins as president of its oil and gas segment.

DeepOcean Group Holding BV named Dennis de Vreede CFO.

PDC Energy named Barton Brookman executive vice president and COO.

Greene’s Energy Group promoted Mark Yuille to CFO of the company’s testing and services business unit.

Petrasco has tapped Kevin Buchan as global managing director.

RWE Dea Norge appointed Hugo Sandal as managing director.

The Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association welcomed Joyce Turkaly as director of natural gas market development.

Christophe Barnini has assumed responsibilities as senior vice president of group communications at CGG. The company also appointed Arnaud Surpas as executive vice president of global operations for Sercel, CGG’s equipment division.

Pellerin Energy Group named Edward Godeaux general manager of its water solutions business unit.

Chris Higgins joined CETCO Oilfield Services as projects engineering manager.

Altor Risk Group promoted Matthew Wardner to UK/Europe business unit leader and Rona Young to group head of business development.

NCS Energy Services named Joe DeGeare vice president of sales and operations for the US. The company also selected Dustin Ellis as manager of technical services.

Jee Ltd. welcomed Nigel Ross as business development director.

Strategy Engineering and Consulting LLC tapped James Burke as director of projects.

Kyli Perez assumed the role of regional manager for the Gulf of Mexico at Swift Worldwide Resources.

COMPANIES

Newpark Drilling Fluids, a wholly owned subsidiary of Newpark Resources, opened its new world headquarters and laboratory facility in Katy, Texas. Located on 11 acres along Houston’s I-10 energy corridor, the R&D laboratory includes a field services lab and features the company’s state-of-the-art downhole drilling simulator and a range of world-class analytical capabilities.

Dron & Dickson’s subsidiary, Totus Energy, relocated to a new office and warehouse complex in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new facility will house an electrical assembly division and competency training as well as storage of hazardous area electrical products in the warehouse.

Halliburton opened its new Technology Center at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Technology Park in Brazil. The new facility includes specialized laboratories, a collaboration room, a testing area, and conference and training rooms.

TAM International Inc. expanded its presence in the Middle East with a new office in Dubai, the UAE. The new facility includes a centralized area for lunch-and-learn sessions, presentations, and in-house training as well as state-of-the-art technology.