Executive takes on third role at Vantage Drilling

Offshore drilling contractor Vantage Drilling International has assigned an additional role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) to its current Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

William “Bill” L. Thomson assumed the additional role as of January 1, 2025, reporting directly to Ihab Toma, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while continuing to be based in Vantage’s Dubai office.

The new COO has been with Vantage since 2008, serving in several capacities in engineering/projects, technical support, marketing, and managed services.

Before joining Vantage, Thomson held several managerial positions at Transocean, including Asset Operations Manager UK, Europe, and Africa, Technical Support Manager, and New Build Project Manager.

Alongside managerial changes, Vantage Drilling kicked off the new year by launching a new joint venture (JV) with France’s energy giant TotalEnergies through its subsidiary Vantage Holdings International.

Named TEVA Ship Charter (TEVA), the entity will acquire the Tungsten Explorer drillship currently working off the coast of Congo. This builds on the binding agreement the duo signed in February 2024.