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Posts Tagged ‘leadership’

JL reflects on working for Bill Clements at Sedco

Posted in Offshore Energy - General, drilling, tagged , , , , , , on January 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Bill Clements founded the Southeast Drilling Company (SEDCO) in 1947 with two partners and a loan. Clements grew the business from three used drilling rigs into a global leader and a deepwater pioneer. Through SEDCO, Clements developed strong international relationships that included the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi. Clements went on on to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense. He served as Governor of Texas from 1979-91.

BOE contributor and pioneering subsea engineer, JL Daeschler, fondly recalls working for Clements:

“He looked after the employees well, knew everyone by name on all his rigs, and was very encouraging. He was a great leader for the emerging deepwater industry. I often discussed a project with him on early Saturday morning office calls. Despite worldwide rig locations and time differences, he was able to read and digest all the morning reports. He conducted crisp executive meetings every Friday – very few speakers and to the point. He was no time waster. I learned a lot!

Sedcon 445, pioneering deepwater drillship, 1971

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NOPSA CEO Jane Cutler on Leadership

Posted in Regulation, tagged , , , , , on October 3, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Jane Cutler, CEO of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority, makes important comments on leadership in this interview.

I’m privileged to work with some great people who are passionate about improving safety. This role within NOPSA provides me with a great opportunity to make a difference and allows me to foster a really proactive work culture, removing obstacles that make it harder for people to do their work well.

Almost everyone involved with offshore safety is passionate about their work and wants to make a difference.  Unfortunately, they are often frustrated by administrative and organizational processes that prevent them from identifying and addressing important safety issues in the most effective and efficient manner.  While there has been much post-Macondo talk about safety policy, there has been little discussion about the organizational constraints that stifle initiative and creativity within regulatory programs.  The focus should be on enabling bright and dedicated people to create and sustain an optimal regulatory environment for safety achievement by the operating companies and their contractors.

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