Celebrating 85 years of the IADC legacy through stories

The following entries are part of IADC’s 85th anniversary campaign, “Many Stories, One Voice,” which aims to showcase the real human stories behind the drilling industry.

We invite you to join us in this effort by sharing a personal story that highlights the passion, innovation and purpose powering our industry and the lives of everyone it touches. Click here to share your story.

Arun’s Story – “My journey in drilling: bridging technology, industry and continents”

This story is from Arun Karle, founding member of the IADC South Central Asia Chapter and founder and President of Askara Group

My journey in the oil and gas industry began over four decades ago, and it has been a rewarding path filled with opportunities to innovate, collaborate and give back to the industry I deeply respect.

After completing my Bachelor’s degree in electrical and mechanical engineering from the Sardar Patel College of Engineering in Mumbai in 1968, I moved to the United States in 1970 to pursue a Master’s in mechanical engineering at Lamar University in Texas.

That led to an exciting career at Schlumberger Oil Services, where I spent 22 years in various international management roles across Houston, Paris, Oman, Dubai, Egypt and India. During that time, I had the privilege to design several downhole tools.

In 1992, I made a pivotal decision to return to India and start my own venture — Askara Group. With offices in Mumbai and Houston, Askara has since grown into a trusted consultancy that has worked with over 30 international companies in upstream oil and gas, helping to localize high-end technologies for Indian conditions.

My association with IADC began in 1993, when I met with then-President Dr Lee Hunt to explore how IADC could support the growing drilling sector in India. These discussions laid the groundwork for the formation of the South Central Asia Chapter, officially launched on 15  January 1998, where I had the honor of serving as a founding member and later as Vice Chairman from 2001 to 2005. I have remained actively involved with IADC ever since.

In 2018, I was deeply honored to receive the IADC Exemplary Service Award, presented by President Jason McFarland at the Annual General Meeting in New Orleans.

This recognition reaffirmed my belief in the power of industry collaboration and our shared commitment to safety, efficiency and continuous learning. My family had given me a written speech but I could not find the paper, so I gave my own speech, and I remember everybody laughing about it.

Beyond business, I have found great joy in mentoring young professionals, especially through IADC’s Student Chapters at MIT Pune, PDEU Gandhinagar and IIT Dhanbad. I strongly believe that India’s future in E&P will be shaped by the passion and ingenuity of the next generation.

As I look back, I’m grateful for every opportunity to contribute — whether in boardrooms, on rigs or in university classrooms. And as I look ahead, I remain committed to advancing the goals of IADC and building stronger bridges between technology, talent and teamwork across our global industry. DC

Martyna’s Story – “A moment that made me proud: carrying the oil & gas safety legacy beyond the industry”

The following story is from Martyna Sikorska, member of the IADC Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter and Executive Assistant to the C-suite at Vantage Drilling International

In 2015, after six years with Transocean, I was laid off due to the oil price crisis. Determined to stay in Dubai, I joined an international agriculture company as an Executive Assistant to the C-suite.

Coming from oil and gas, I was shocked to discover that the high safety standards I took for granted weren’t universal. Basic protocols like fire wardens, evacuation procedures and office safety audits didn’t exist. Despite my efforts to advocate for stronger HSE measures — especially given the company’s work with heavy machinery and chemicals — my suggestions were often dismissed, even when framed as beneficial for investors.

Then, on 22 March 2017, an event changed the narrative.

Our office was on the 21st floor of a high-rise in Dubai’s Jumeirah Lake Towers. I was at my desk near our office entrance when a loud burst erupted from the corridor — the building’s main water pipeline had ruptured at our floor, right outside our door. Within seconds, a torrent of water flooded into the office.

Instinct kicked in. I sprinted to the main power board (yes, I made sure I knew its location) and shut off all electricity — critical, since our floor sockets were embedded in the panels, creating a serious electrocution risk. Alongside the HR manager, we evacuated the team, coordinated with building security and ensured lifts were shut down. Thanks to quick action, no one was hurt, although the office sustained substantial damage.

Yet, the most surprising part? Even after this near-miss, the company hesitated to adopt lasting safety improvements.

That same year, I returned to oil and gas, joining Vantage Drilling. But my brief detour left an unexpected legacy.

Months later, I learned the agriculture company had finally implemented fire wardens, evacuation drills and, sometime later, even a global HSE department. None of that had existed before. While it shouldn’t have taken a crisis to act, I’m proud that my persistence perhaps planted a seed for change.

This experience reinforced why I’m honored to be part of this industry. The safety-first mindset ingrained in us isn’t just about rigs or pipelines — it’s a culture of vigilance that saves lives, wherever we go. Today, I still speak up when I see risks, whether at work or in public. Because that’s what our industry teaches: Safety isn’t just procedure; it’s respect for people. And that’s a legacy worth carrying forward. DC