HOUSTON, TX — (Marketwire) — 02/06/12 — Reservoir Group–s surface logging business, Empirica, announces the appointment of its new managing director, Etienne Roux, also welcoming Oklahoma firm, Warren & Christian Inc. to its portfolio of member companies.
Mr. Roux, who has more than 10 years of oil and gas experience, started his career with Schlumberger as an LWD field engineer. His most recent role involved the management of Weatherford Drilling Services formation evaluation, surface logging and drilling operations for the Europe, Caspian and Sub Saharan African regions.
He will be responsible for overseeing the transition of Warren & Christian into Empirica, while establishing the business as a cohesive surface logging company that is recognized around the world. This is a key strategic aim for Reservoir Group.
Warren & Christian has decades of experience in the U.S. mudlogging sector, with a growing fleet of more than 40 wellsite trailers, gas detection equipment and industry standard logging software. Its computerized logging system is currently in use extensively across Oklahoma and North Texas. The company will retain its existing personnel and management team, headed by company president, Jack Christian.
Of his appointment, Mr. Roux said, “Leading Empirica is a natural progression for me and I am truly humbled at being afforded this opportunity.
“As managing director, my main task will be to ensure the successful integration of the several companies that make up Reservoir Group–s surface logging business, including its newest member Warren & Christian. I will also be looking to extend Empirica–s geographic reach, as our aim is to be recognized throughout the industry as a company able to execute on wells anywhere in the world.
“Most importantly, I want to ensure that we are leveraging the bright minds encompassed in Empirica, while striving to consistently deliver services and technology of the highest standard.”
Reservoir Group chief operating officer, Wade McCutcheon, said, “I am delighted that Etienne has agreed to drive forward the next stage of Empirica–s development. He is a strong and enthusiastic leader and a great role model for our company values. I am pleased to welcome him to the club.
“By inviting Warren & Christian to join Empirica, we have further reinforced our strategy of becoming the surface logging company of choice for a global client base, supporting our customers with an increased service offering that is complementary to the existing skills within the Group.”
Mr. Christian, company president of Warren & Christian, said, “I recognized the need for a strategic partner to realize the full potential in the surface logging market in Oklahoma. With the support of ClearRidge Capital, Reservoir Group was identified as an ideal partner to broaden the service and value proposition we could offer our customers. The strong reputation of Reservoir Group, and our appreciation of its values, business philosophy and the complementary nature of other members, made this a logical step.
“We look forward to the benefits that come with being part of an internationally recognized company and hope that, with the backing of the Group and support from fellow members, Warren & Christian will be able to enjoy even greater success while expanding our geographic footprint and customer base.”
Reservoir Group is an international oilfield services organization and recognized specialist in the fields of downhole drilling, completion and production and physical and digital data management. Its team of innovative thinkers challenge convention to find solutions to the increasingly complex technical demands of extracting the world–s remaining hydrocarbons.
Backed by Houston-based oil and gas specialist private equity firm, SCF Partners, Reservoir Group–s aim is to build a global portfolio of businesses designed to deliver specialist services around hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Etienne Roux is originally from South Africa and started his oilfield career in 2000, working with Schlumberger as an LWD Field Engineer in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
He has enjoyed a successful career to date, with roles including Field Service Manager in Eastern Venezuela, to Worldwide Product Champion for Schlumberger–s Formation Pressure While Drilling technology.
Mr. Roux also spent time in Brazil as the company–s Operations Manager for all Drilling, Rotary Steerable and LWD operations offshore, before joining Weatherford Drilling Services at its base in Hannover, Germany. This most recent role saw him manage all Drilling, Formation Evaluation and Surface Logging operations in the North Sea, Continental Europe, The Caspian and Sub-Sahara Africa.
Warren & Christian Inc. is headquartered in Oklahoma providing surfacing logging services including geological consulting services, vertical and horizontal well logs, instrumentation, digital cuttings photography and CO2 monitoring. The company primarily services independent oil and gas companies in the Anadarko, Arkoma and Texas Panhandle basins operating 40 units and a staff base of 46.
ClearRidge Capital LLC is a corporate finance advisor offering M&A and strategic planning advice to companies in the Oklahoma region.
Fifth Ring Integrated Corporate Communications
Heather McKee
713-457-2130
Images of Etienne Roux available upon request