How did you start your journey at Dolphin Drilling?
I first joined Dolphin Drilling in August 2000 as a roughneck on the Borgsten Dolphin. When the rig was laid up in September 2003, I spent just over a year kicking around with various agencies. In early 2004, my former Senior Toolpusher reached out and asked if I’d be interested in joining the Bulford Dolphin for a new campaign in Mexico. I originally came back onboard in January 2004 through an agency and was officially back on the books by June 2004. At the time, I was told the job would only last six months, mainly training local roughnecks. 21 years later, I’m still here!
How has your career evolved over the years at Dolphin?
As stated, when I started on the Bulford in January 2004, my main role was training local roughnecks, but we also took on the responsibility of mentoring and supporting the Derrickmen. By June, I was officially offered the Derrickman’s position. That didn’t last long, though, as I was quickly put through my well control exams, despite having little drilling experience, and managed to pass first time. That earned me a promotion to Assistant Driller, and a couple of years later, I stepped up to Driller.
The biggest change for me came in December 2009, while I was on the Byford Dolphin, which had just begun a long-term contract with BP. They introduced a new position, the “Performance Toolpusher”, focused on the planning side of Drilling. It was a pioneering position at the time, and my back-to-back and I really made it our own. I found I had a knack for planning, and took that role and implemented it on the Blackford Dolphin when it returned to the North Sea in 2014, and then to the Borgland Dolphin. Over time, though, that role began to define me within the company, so in 2019, I welcomed the chance to get back “on the tools” as a Tourpusher.
How would you describe the company culture?
Although I’ve spent many years with Dolphin, I’ve also worked for several competitors. Before joining the Borgsten Dolphin, I was with RB Falcon for four years and gained experience with some larger American drilling companies. That time gave me a real appreciation for Dolphin’s culture. Ours is more relaxed, in a good way! We focus on getting the job done safely and efficiently by planning properly and staying calm under pressure rather than ploughing through tasks with raised voices, which is the ethos of many other companies. What impressed me was that this approach has stayed consistent throughout all my years with Dolphin.
What makes Dolphin different from other companies you’ve previously worked at?
One of the biggest differences is how well we’re looked after by our HR team. As said, I’ve worked for other companies, and have friends who still do, and the level of support we get, especially around travel to and from the rig, is far better than most. There have been times when crew change situations have been less than ideal, whether it’s hotel issues, flight arrangements or layovers, but Dolphin always does what it can to make things better. While it’s true that things aren’t quite like they were years ago when we were a bigger company, we’re still in a better position than many others I know in the industry.
How has Dolphin adapted to industry changes or challenges over the years?
The period after 2014 was tough for everyone in the oil industry, and Dolphin was no exception. Before the downturn, we had 11 rigs operating and everything was flying high. I’m not involved in the business side of running a drilling company, but the mere fact that Dolphin survived that crash is a credit to the people leading it. We’ve had to adapt by recognising that our units are older and may not match the performance of newer units. But we’ve been smart about it, securing work with smaller operators where our units are better suited. Coupling these contracts with the smart stacking strategy introduced around 2018 also helped us weather the storm. The fact that we’re still operating in 2025 is something we can all be proud of.
Proudest achievement or memorable moments?
There have been quite a few. One that stands out is passing my well control exam on the first attempt, while I was still a roughneck. Taking on the Performance Toolpusher role on Byford at the start of the BP contract was also a big milestone; shaping that role and making it work was a real achievement. Starting up different campaigns worldwide and experiencing new cultures and challenges has also been hugely memorable. While there have been some tough times along the way, it’s been a great journey for the most part.
What company value resonates with you most?
For me, the values only have true meaning when they work together. None of them stand out in isolation, but when all four are applied in unison, that’s when they really matter.
What has kept you committed to Dolphin for so long?
That’s an easy one: the people. Over the years and in various installations, I’ve worked with some truly great individuals. I have worked with some people within Dolphin for many, many years, and we have been through a lot together. They are friends to me, not just colleagues. When you’re surrounded by good people, you don’t want to leave.
What lessons have you learned along the way?
Patience! As I’ve grown as a person and as a supervisor in the oil and gas industry, I’ve learned that patience is needed in abundance. Whether it’s working with diverse teams, dealing with demanding clients, or managing the ups and downs of the drilling industry, you need to stay calm and steady to get through it all.
Any words of wisdom for those starting out their journey with Dolphin?
Always learn from the person above you and teach your job to the person below you. That mindset helps everyone grow and creates a stronger team.
How would you like to see the company evolve in the next decade?
I’d love to see Dolphin expand again, with more rigs, contracts, and opportunities abroad. It would be great to take on new challenges in regions where Dolphin hasn’t operated before.
