Randy

Randy L. Limbacher, former chairman, CEO and president of Rosetta Resources Inc., is taking the helm of Tulsa onshore operator Samson Resources Corp. Limbacher, who has 32 years in the exploration business, ran Rosetta from November 2007 until the end of February. He previously was president of exploration and production in the Americas for ConocoPhillips and worked at predecessor Burlington Resources Inc. for 20 years.

Randy L. Limbacher, former chairman, CEO and president of Rosetta Resources Inc., is taking the helm of Tulsa onshore operator Samson Resources Corp. Limbacher, who has 32 years in the exploration business, ran Rosetta from November 2007 until the end of February. He previously was president of exploration and production in the Americas for ConocoPhillips and worked at predecessor Burlington Resources Inc. for 20 years. “With positions in some of the best plays in North America, a dedicated team of talented executives, and the backing of leading energy investors, Samson is well positioned to begin its next phase of growth,” said Limbacher.

Encana Corp. is searching for a permanent CEO after Randy Eresman, who had spent his entire career at the Calgary company, suddenly resigned earlier this month. Director Clayton H. Woitas, who is CEO of privately held Range Royalty Management Ltd., remains interim president and CEO until a successor is named.

Encana Corp. President and CEO Randy Eresman’s sudden departure last Friday is fueling speculation by energy analysts and investors about who might become his successor. Encana director Clayton H. Woitas, who is CEO of privately held Range Royalty Management Ltd., will be interim president and CEO until a successor is named.

Randy Eresman, who has led Encana Corp. since 2006, suddenly resigned on Friday, fueling speculation about whether he jumped or was pushed out of the boardroom.

Encana Corp. CEO Randy Eresman, whose company is one of the largest onshore producers in North America, said last week the company remains “cautiously optimistic about our natural gas price recovery this year. We continue to see evidence on both the demand and supply front that supports this assertion.”

Encana Corp. CEO Randy Eresman, whose company is one of the largest onshore producers in North America, said Wednesday the company remains “cautiously optimistic about our natural gas price recovery this year. We continue to see evidence on both the demand and supply front that supports this assertion.”

A unit of Willbros Group Inc.’s oil and gas business has been awarded a contract by Energy Transfer Partners LP to construct a portion of the Red River Gathering Pipeline (RRG). Work is to include construction of 97 miles of 30-inch diameter pipeline from Ardmore, OK to Denton, TX. Construction is scheduled to begin in early April. The project is part of an agreement for Energy Transfer to provide gas gathering, processing and transportation services in the Woodford and Barnett shales for XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp. (see Shale Daily, Oct. 24, 2011). “The significant growth in the midstream market is driving additional opportunities for our strategy to offer comprehensive services to project developments in the liquid-rich drilling plays such as the Woodford shale,” said Willbros CEO Randy Harl.

The new mayor of Morgantown, WV, said he is concerned about the potential legal ramifications from the city’s new ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but he indicated that the city will keep the ban in place for now.