NEWS CUTTINGS • DEPARTMENTS
Bernie Wolford receives IADC Contractor of the Year honors at Annual Meeting
Bernie Wolford, President and CEO of Diamond Offshore Drilling,
was named 2023 IADC Contractor of the Year in November. The
annual award was established in 1988 to recognize an individual
drilling contractor’s outstanding lifetime achievement in techni-
cal innovation, safety and economic efficiency within the drilling
industry. It is the only industry award reserved solely for drilling
contractors. A member of the IADC’s Executive Committee, Mr Wolford
was essentially born into the industry. Raised in Kilgore in East
Texas, his father made a career out of working in the land drill-
ing business. After graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in
mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University, Mr Wolford
went to work for TransWorld Drilling as an Engineer, eventu-
ally serving as Project Manager, Drilling Superintendent and
Operations Manager at the company.
After TransWorld was acquired by Noble in 1991, he went on to
take significant management positions within the company. In
2018, he was named CEO of Pacific Drilling, where he remained
until April 2021, shortly after Pacific and Noble announced their
merger. One month later, Diamond Offshore named him its new
President and CEO, the position he currently holds.
Bernie Wolford (right), President and CEO of Diamond Off-
shore Drilling, received the 2023 IADC Contractor of the Year
award from Joe Rovig, President, Rig Technologies and After-
market Group at NOV, at the IADC Annual General Meeting in
Austin, Texas, on 10 November.
IADC launches all-new ISP
database for streamlined
data reporting, tracking
IADC is introducing a newly revamped
system for its Incident Statistics Program
(ISP) in January after a year-long devel-
opment process. The new system gives
users direct access so they can upload
data into a web-based system, as well as
create on-demand, tailored reports con-
taining visual analytics.
Scan me to learn more
about the IADC Incident
Statistics Program.
IADC's inaugural 3-Gun Competition, held 20 October in Todd Mission, Texas,
featured 108 participants competing in morning and afternoon shooting ﬂ ights.
The competition raised money for Camp Hope, a Houston-based interim hous-
ing facility for combat veterans and their families suffering from PTSD.
IADC supports DrillersPAC, charity benefitting US combat
veterans with inaugural 3-gun shooting competition
On 20 October, IADC held its inaugural
DrillersPAC helps
maximize the
bit.ly/3U0sQD6 IADC establishes new
Geothermal Committee
3-Gun Competition to generate aware-
impact of IADC’s advocacy efforts by
In December , the new Geothermal
ness for DrillersPAC, IADC’s political
raising money to support political can-
Committee began operation under the
action committee, and raise funds to
didates aligned with IADC members’
Drilling Services Division of IADC. The
support US combat veterans. The compe-
policy goals. The competition also raised
committee, which is chaired by Scott
tition was held at Renaissance Shooting
$11,000 for Camp Hope, an interim hous-
Farmer of Helmerich & Payne, is currently
Club in Todd Mission, Texas. It consisted
ing facility. It is operated by the PTSD
working on guidelines aimed at providing
of a morning shooting flight and an after-
Foundation of America, an organization
practical guidance for drilling contractors
noon shooting flight, with lunch and a
that helps combat veterans suffering
and service companies involved in geo-
raffle in between for all participants.
from post-traumatic stress disorder.
thermal well construction.
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