Woodside COO to leave in May. Replacement named

The chief operations officer (COO) of Australian energy giant Woodside will be leaving the company in May 2018.

Woodside said on Friday that COO Mike Utsler joined Woodside in December 2013.

Utsler has more than 35 years’ global experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. During his time at Woodside as the chief operations officer, he was responsible for the company’s global logistics, drilling, production, HSEQ and security and crisis management.

Before ​joining Woodside, Utsler held the position of president for the BP Gulf Coast restoration organization. ​​

Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said: “Mike has been an outstanding member of Woodside’s leadership team, delivering significant improvements across operational performance, HSEQ, and maintenance campaign delivery.

“Under Mike’s leadership, our operations team has achieved world-leading results. We wish Mike all the best for the future.”

There will be a handover period with Utsler’s successor Meg O’Neill, who will be joining the organization as COO in May.

O’Neill brings operational experience from ExxonMobil gained through positions in Indonesia, Norway, Canada, and the USA. Her most recent role was vice president for Africa in ExxonMobil Development Company.

She holds dual Bachelor degrees in Ocean Engineering and Chemical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.