Directors

Linn Energy LLC has appointed Mark Ellis as president and CEO. Mike Linn, who founded the company in 2003, will remain executive chairman of the board of directors and will focus on the long-term strategy of the company and board leadership. Ellis joined the Houston-based producer in December 2006 and has served as president and COO since December 2007. Ellis has more than 30 years of experience in the oil and natural gas industry. Prior to joining Linn Energy, Ellis served as president of the Lower 48 states for ConocoPhillips and previously was senior vice president of North American production for Burlington Resources Corp.

Denver-based Delta Petroleum Corp. has retained Morgan Stanley and Evercore Partners to evaluate and advise the board of directors on “strategic alternatives” that may include selling “some or all” of the company’s assets, entering into partnerships or joint venture opportunities, or selling the entire company. Delta said it would not comment until the board has approved a specific transaction or when there are “significant developments.” Delta’s core areas of operations are the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions, which comprise the majority of its proved reserves, production and long-term growth prospects (see Daily GPI, April 8; Dec. 24, 2008; Aug. 28, 2008).

Canadian Superior Energy Inc. shareholders voted to approve the acquisition of Challenger Energy Corp. and voted in favor of a new board of directors, which now includes Kerry R. Brittain, Marvin M. Chronister, James Funk, William Roach, Gregory G. Turnbull and Richard Watkins. All other annual meeting resolutions also were approved by shareholders, the Calgary-based producer said. Canadian Superior, which restructured after filing for bankruptcy in April, said in June it would acquire Challenger in a friendly transaction worth an estimated C$78 million, including debt (see Daily GPI, June 22). The combined company would produce an estimated 3,050 boe/d, 85% weighted to natural gas. Besides undeveloped assets in Alberta and British Columbia, the company would hold diversified assets in Trinidad and Tobago and North Africa.

The board of directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has adopted a resolution stating its opposition to federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing), saying it would add “burdensome and unnecessary regulatory requirements” for domestic oil and natural gas drilling.

The board of directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has adopted a resolution opposing federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing), saying it would add “burdensome and unnecessary regulatory requirements” for domestic oil and natural gas drilling.

StatoilHydro’s board of directors has given the green light for its first development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), the Caesar Tonga Project, which is to be operated by Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

StatoilHydro’s board of directors has given the green light for its first project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Caesar Tonga Project, which is to be operated by Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

Lee K. Boothby, 47, has been named president at Newfield Exploration Co. The board of directors also expects to name Boothby as CEO at the company’s annual meeting in May. Boothby would succeed David A. Trice, 60, who plans to retire in May. Trice is up for reelection to the board at the annual meeting and if elected, he would serve a one-year term as nonexecutive chairman to assist in the transition. Boothby joined Newfield nearly 10 years ago and most recently served as senior vice president of acquisitions and business development. From February 2002 to October 2007 Boothby was president of the company’s Midcontinent division, and he guided early development of the Woodford Shale play. Newfield plans to name Gary D. Packer, 46, as COO in May. Packer joined Newfield in 1995 and currently serves as president of Newfield’s Rocky Mountain division. Trice, one of Newfield’s 23 founders in 1989, had expected to retire in May 2008, but he extended his tenure following the death of Newfield President David F. Schaible, who died in late 2007. “I have been fortunate to have a great team of managers to work with and a staff of talented people who continue to make this a special place,” said Trice.

Lee K. Boothby, 47, has been named president at Newfield Exploration Co. The board of directors also expects to name Boothby as CEO at the company’s annual meeting in May. Boothby would succeed David A. Trice, 60, who plans to retire in May. Trice is up for reelection to the board at the annual meeting and if elected, he would serve a one-year term as nonexecutive chairman to assist in the transition. Boothby joined Newfield nearly 10 years ago and most recently served as senior vice president of acquisitions and business development. From February 2002 to October 2007 Boothby was president of the company’s Midcontinent division, and he guided early development of the Woodford Shale play. Newfield plans to name Gary D. Packer, 46, as COO in May. Packer joined Newfield in 1995 and currently serves as president of Newfield’s Rocky Mountain division. Trice, one of Newfield’s 23 founders in 1989, had expected to retire in May 2008, but he extended his tenure following the death of Newfield President David F. Schaible, who died in late 2007. “I have been fortunate to have a great team of managers to work with and a staff of talented people who continue to make this a special place,” said Trice.