Shelf Drilling introduces top brass changes

Dubai-headquartered offshore drilling contractor Shelf Drilling has gone through a management reshuffle as three positions – Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Chairman, and Lead Independent Director – have been filled with members who have previously fulfilled other roles at the company.

As disclosed by the drilling contractor, Greg O’Brien assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Mullen became Executive Chairman and Ernie Danner Lead Independent Director.

This comes on the heels of the news shared in late July that Douglas Stewart would step in as the new CFO in October 2024, after Greg O’Brien, who previously held the post, decided to transition to the CEO role starting August 2024.

O’Brien said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of CEO at Shelf Drilling and lead the company into the future. I am committed to building on the strong foundation established by David Mullen and our outstanding leadership team. Together, we will continue to drive operational excellence, innovation and value for all our stakeholders.

“I look forward to collaborating with our employees, customers, and investors as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead, ensuring that Shelf Drilling retains and strengthens its leading position in the industry.”

O’Brien has been the company’s Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer since March 2016. Previously, he also served as Director of Strategic Planning, overseeing the company’s corporate development. He graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

The new Executive Chairman David Mullen holds a B.A. in Geology & Physics from Trinity College Dublin and an M.Sc. Degree in Geophysics from University College Galway. With over 40 years of experience in the oil services business, he also serves as an Independent Director of Subsea7.

“I extend my gratitude to our stakeholders for their support since the company’s inception in 2012. I am incredibly proud of the milestones we have achieved together at Shelf Drilling and look forward to supporting the business in my new role as Executive Chairman of the Board. In this new capacity, I am committed to ensuring a successful transition and working with the Board and Management to drive even greater success for our company,” noted Mullen.

As for the third member, Ernie Danner holds a Master of Accounting and a Bachelor of the Arts degree from Rice University. He joined the company’s board in October 2013, serving as its Chairman from November 2018 to August 2024.

Apart from management reshuffling, the drilling contractor’s Shelf Drilling Winner jack-up rig was recently hired by TotalEnergies for work that is set to start in March 2025. The rig has been working for the French giant in Denmark since October 2022 and will continue to do so until 2026.

The same rig was used to spud a well in the Harald East area in mid-July. If the drilling ops result in a hydrocarbon discovery, the gas will be exported through the Tyra East facilities in the Danish sector of the North Sea and the well could be put into production by the end of 2024.