AGR Names Erskine to Head Petroleum Services

AGR Group, the Norway-based oil technology and services group has appointed Richard Erskine as Executive Vice President, Petroleum Services. In the role, Richard will head up the division that has changed the way that wells are drilled for many oil companies - by planning and managing multi-client, multi-well drilling campaigns.

Erskine, 50, holds an honors degree in Chemical Engineering, a Masters in Petroleum Engineering and an MBA. He is currently Managing Director of Hydro Technology Ventures, a NOK 750 million venture fund. Previously he was commercial manager in Hydro E & P International, leading the disposal of Saga UK and assessment of Hydro's international projects, including acquisitions in Canada and Russia. He was lead production engineer for Norwegian projects and has worked as a reservoir engineer, and offshore as production engineer and drilling engineer for Phillips Petroleum in the UK.

Per Inge Remmen, who currently heads up AGR Petroleum Services will take up a new group wide special projects role reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Sverre Skogen.

Commenting on the appointment, AGR Group's Chief Executive Officer, Sverre Skogen said:

"Our Petroleum Services division has grown significantly through our acquisitions of the Aberdeen-based Peak Group and Upstream Petroleum of Australia. Richard brings a wealth of industry experience to help integrate these acquisitions and deliver our strategy of providing operator companies with complete, integrated service solutions. Per Inge has been instrumental in the growth of AGR Group. I am delighted that he will be taking on the special projects role as part of our overall strategy for growth and service within the petroleum service sector."

Erskine said: "I am extremely pleased to be joining the AGR Group at a time of such dynamic change and growth. I know that Petroleum Services' activities have provided one of the main engines for AGR's advancement in recent times and I am determined that the business remains at the forefront of innovation and service for the benefit of petroleum operating companies worldwide."

In 2006 AGR Petroleum Services managed the drilling of 27 wells for clients. In 2007 the business division is expected to drill about 40 wells for oil company clients around the world.