Scott McKee joins Patterson-UTI as Senior VP

Patterson-UTI recently announced that it has appointed Scott McKee as Senior VP of Marketing and Business Development. In this role, he will lead the company’s global commercial growth strategy, integrating marketing, business development and customer insights to support technology-driven solutions across its business lines.

Mr McKee is a former US Army captain and a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. He brings extensive industry experience and leadership to his new position at Patterson-UTI.

Adams to succeed Lindsay as Helmerich & Payne CEO

Helmerich & Payne (H&P) announced that John Lindsay will retire from his roles as CEO and Director effective 4 March 2026. He will be succeeded by Raymond John “Trey” Adams, who was named President of H&P in October 2025.

Mr Lindsay has served as H&P’s CEO for the past 12 years. He also served as IADC Chairman in 2008.

Woodside’s Meg O’Neill appointed as BP’s new CEO

Meg O’Neill, CEO of Woodside Energy since 2021, was named as BP’s next CEO, effective 1 April 2026. Murray Auchincloss stepped down from his position as BP’s CEO and Director of the Board, effective 18 December 2025. Carol Howle, Executive Vice President, Supply, Trading & Shipping of BP, is serving as BP’s interim CEO until 1 April.

Aker BP extends drilling, maintenance deal with Archer

Aker BP is exercising a three-year extension option under a long-term contract originally awarded to Archer in November 2020. The contract calls for the provision of platform drilling operations and maintenance services on the Ula and Valhall installations in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

The exercised extension will start upon expiration of the initial five-year term, extending the contract through 31 December 2028.

Under the deal, Archer will continue to deliver platform drilling operations, maintenance services and intervention support, including integrated engineering, rental equipment and well services where required.

SLB wins long-term deal for Saudi unconventional gas

SLB has been awarded a five-year contract by Saudi Aramco to provide stimulation services for its unconventional gas fields. The contract encompasses advanced stimulation, well intervention, frac automation and digital solutions. This award is part of a broader multi-billion-dollar contract, supporting one
of the largest unconventional gas development programs globally.

NEO NEXT+ to become UK’s largest independent E&P

TotalEnergies signed an agreement to merge its UK upstream oil and gas business with NEO NEXT Energy, which is a joint venture backed by Repsol and HitecVision. The new company, to be named NEO NEXT+, will be the largest independent oil and gas producer in the UK, with more than 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in production. Completion of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2026.

Kongsberg Digital, AIQ to collaborate on agentic AI

Kongsberg Digital and AIQ have entered a strategic collaboration to deliver AI-powered drilling and operations optimization across the energy sector. The companies aim to co-design and deliver agentic AI capabilities for drilling.

Cuttings treatment facility begins operations in UAE

TWMA recently took first receipt of drill cuttings at its newly constructed treatment facility in Habshan, Abu Dhabi. The facility is designed to support more than 100 rigs for a major UAE operator, with the capacity to process up to 300 tonnes of drill cuttings per day.

NMDC, Baker Hughes sign MOU in Saudi Arabia

NMDC Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Baker Hughes to explore localization of offshore products and services in Saudi Arabia. The agreement covers use of NMDC’s fabrication yard in the Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone to support offshore equipment such as an emergency pipeline repair system and a logistics base for flexible pipeline solutions.

Well Expertise secures agreement with Vår Energi

Well Expertise was awarded a frame agreement with Vår Energi for the provision of drilling and wells and subsurface specialists to support the operator’s onshore and offshore operations in Norway.

The contract was secured in collaboration with OREC AS, which will take the lead responsibility for delivering subsurface personnel. The agreement is valid for five years, with three optional two-year extensions.

Partnership unifies rig moving service in Egypt

ABL is partnering with Petroleum Marine Services to introduce a unified rig moving service in the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez, with the support of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp. The integrated service includes a centralized operations control for the Red Sea, detailed site survey and technical studies, operational risk analysis and weather impact modeling, high-capacity towing units and ASD vessels, seabed survey capabilities and ROV support, and a standardized workflow.

Velesto to divest NAGA 3 jackup, workover subsidiary

Velesto Energy recently agreed to divest the NAGA 3. Built in 2010, the jackup is being sold to PT Indonesia Drilling Energy for $63 million. Velesto cited its ongoing fleet optimization strategy, with a focus on more technically competitive rigs, as the driver for the sale.

Velesto Energy is also divesting its entire equity interest in Velesto Workover for a total cash consideration of RM16.5 million. The sale agreement is with Enviros Survey & Consultancy.

Both transactions are expected to be completed during the first half of 2026.

Sean Mitchell named CEO of Daniel Energy Partners

Daniel Energy Partners named  Sean Mitchell as its new CEO, while John Daniel will remain in his role as Founder. Jeff Dietert has also joined the team as Managing Director for Research.

Scandrill, Corva partner on AI drilling intelligence

Scandrill is bringing Corva’s real-time drilling intelligence to its rig fleet. “By integrating Corva’s advanced AI and machine learning solutions, we’re giving our teams and our operators better visibility into what’s happening on the rig,” said Paul Mosvold, Scandrill President & COO. The move aims to drive consistent performance, reduce cost per foot drilled and improve efficiency.

GEOLOG acquires Quad, QO in wellsite services expansion

GEOLOG, a provider of wellsite geosciences, drilling solutions and surface logging services to the energy industry, acquired Quad and QO. The companies provide wellsite and operations geologists, along with advanced pore pressure and fracture gradient analysis services.

This bolt-on acquisition enhances GEOLOG’s portfolio of advanced subsurface and drilling support services.

PRODUCTS

Matrix-body bit aims to maximize directional control

Halliburton’s HyperSteer MX directional drill bit is a shankless matrix-body bit designed to improve durability and maximize directional control. The bit utilizes advanced matrix materials to resist erosion and abrasion and extend bit life in abrasive, high-flow environments.

Web-based version of DROPS Calculator now available

The DROPS Forum recently released a new web-based version of its DROPS Calculator to address compatibility issues with the previous Excel-based version. Other new features include:

The ability to generate an editable report in Microsoft Word.

• No limit on height.
• A “what if” calculator to help determine at what height/weight a potential consequence changes.
• Ability to embed the calculator in a user’s own website or intranet.
• A widget to show joule output and potential consequences classification.
• Multi-language support.

The new calculator is available at dropsforum.org/drops-calculator.

GDEP launches High Flow series of frac pumps

The High Flow (HF) frac pumps come in two configurations, GD 5000HF and GD 3600HF. Each design aligns with different drivers while sharing a standardized, modular platform.

The GD 5000HF, rated at 5,000 hp with an 11.232:1 gearbox ratio, is for high-output turbine direct drives and electric motors. The GD 3600HF, rated at 3,600 hp with a 7.525:1 gearbox ratio, is built for natural gas engines and dual-fuel applications operating at lower RPM.

The configurable gearbox ratios align pump speed with driver torque and RPM, providing efficiency across the full operating range of any power source. This alignment maximizes horsepower delivery, improves energy transfer and minimizes vibration, reducing wear and extending service intervals.

Protective eyewear supports farsighted workers

Brass Knuckle’s Read series of protective eyewear was recently launched,  targeting workers with presbyopia. The eyewear comes with clear lenses that are ANSI-rated hard-coated polycarbonate with BK-Anti-FOG.

They are less bulky than over-the-glasses protective eyewear and provide work-grade protection while preventing the hazardous practice of switching between regular safety glasses and reading glasses on the job.