The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) board of directors elected Tim Duncan, top exec of Houston-based Talos Energy Inc., to serve as chairman of the offshore energy industry trade group.

Duncan founded Talos Energy, where he serves as president and CEO, in 2012 and has since built it into one of the largest independent companies in the Gulf of Mexico with operations in both the U.S. and Mexico. The company recently announced an oil discovery in the Green Canyon Block 821 of the Gulf of Mexico at the Puma West prospect operated by BP Plc.

NOIA confirmed Duncan as well as Paul Danos, owner, president and CEO of Danos LLC who was elected vice chairman, in their positions for the 2021-22 term during a virtual board of directors meeting on April 14, according to a release from the group.

“The offshore energy industry continuously lifts society in so many ways,” NOIA President Erik Milito said in a statement. “The leadership from Tim and Paul will help NOIA continue to advocate successfully for the promise of American offshore energy.”

NOIA serves the offshore oil, gas and wind industries in the U.S. The group aims to  represent and advance a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect workers, the public and the environment.

“Our industry delivers energy, jobs and growth in a way that drives innovation and emissions reductions efforts,” he continued. “As the world returns to normalcy, the need for safely and reliably produced oil and natural gas and wind energy has never been greater.”

Prior to Talos Energy, Duncan was the senior vice president of business development and a founder of Phoenix Exploration Company LP. He also worked in various reservoir engineering and portfolio evaluation functions for Amerada Hess Corp., Zilkha Energy Co. and Pennzoil E&P Co. In addition to NOIA, he currently is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Independent Petroleum Association of American and the Young Presidents’ Organization.

In a statement commenting on his appointment, Duncan said: “I look forward to working with Erik, Paul and the NOIA team in advancing our mission of educating and advocating for safe, affordable and reliable offshore energy. Whether in oil, natural gas or wind, NOIA member companies play a critical role in our country’s energy security, job creation and environmental stewardship. I look forward to telling our story at such a critical time.”

Danos, third-generation owner of the family-owned and managed oilfield service provider, also remarked: “The offshore energy industry is a people industry, and I look forward to working with the NOIA membership to ensure offshore energy continues to provide great jobs, energy security and technological innovation in an environmentally sustainable way.”

Based in Gray, La., Danos has more than 2,000 employees, with 9 offices in Louisiana and Texas and operations across in the Gulf of Mexico and North American shale plays. Paul Danos joined the company in 2005 as project manager of the offshore construction and fabrication division and later served as vice president of U.S. operations and executive vice president. Prior to that, he worked at Stonehenge Capital, Arthur Andersen and Plains All American Pipeline.

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