Drilling and engineering contractor KCA Deutag has appointed a new chief executive Joseph Elkhoury, as current boss Norrie McKay prepares to retire. McKay will remain with the group in an advisory capacity until December 31, 2019, working closely with Joseph to ensure a smooth transition.
Elkhoury brings to the role 26 years of experience in various operational and leadership roles in the oilfield services industry. Most notably he spent 21 years with Schlumberger, originally joining the group in 1993 as a Wireline Field Engineer in Abu Dhabi. He has held a number of senior positions and had responsibility for several of Schlumberger's businesses including Microseismic Services, Production Services, Information Solutions and Global Supply Chain. In 2014, Elkhoury left Schlumberger to join services company Tetra Technologies as its Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President. Most recently Elkhoury was an Operating Partner at alternative investment manager Apollo Global Management. He is also currently Chairman of the Board of Express Energy Services. Originally from Lebanon, Elkhoury has a degree in electrical engineering from the American University of Beirut.
KCA Deutag Chairman, Bob Ellis said, "We are extremely pleased that Joseph is joining KCA Deutag. He brings with him an impressive range of international experience and a deep understanding of the dynamics of our market which we believe is essential as we take KCA Deutag into the next phase of its development.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Norrie for the huge contribution he has made to the business since he joined KCA Deutag eight years ago.
"Under his strong leadership the group has continued to flourish despite the worst downturn the oil and gas industry has ever experienced. He has not only led KCA Deutag from the front with his unwavering drive to deliver safe, effective and trouble-free operations, but he has also spearheaded our successful growth strategy. This culminated in the acquisition of the Omani and Saudi Arabian businesses of Dalma Energy in 2018, and the establishment of Turan Drilling & Engineering, the group's new joint venture in Azerbaijan."