Fledgling firm attracts Baker Hughes big hitter

Fledgling energy service company Ardyne, of Aberdeen, has lured oil and gas industry heavyweight Jochem Scherpenisse from Baker Hughes.

Ardyne, formally launched by private- equity owner Lime Rock Partners this year, said yesterday Mr Scherpenisse had joined it as chief operating officer.

Mr Scherpenisse, pictured below, was previously vice-president and managing director for continental Europe at Baker Hughes, one of the world’s biggest energy service firms.

Past roles during his 18 years with US-based Baker Hughes saw him cover Europe, Africa, Russia and the Caspian region in roles including operations support director and managing director. Ardynespecialis es in downhole products and services for plug, abandonmentand other oil and gas operations globally. The recruitment of Mr Scherpenisse coincides with thecompany rebranding the Norwegian business it acquired earlier this year, Wellbore, under the Ardyne name.

Ardyne chief executive Alan Fairweather said:“We have an ambitious growth plan already in motion and Jochem’s appointment, combined with the Wellbore rebranding, solidifies Ardyne as a company that is bringing new technology, combined with robust thinking, to market.”

Mr Scherpenisse said: “I was attracted to the role at Ardyneas, for a young company, it has a solid technology road map and a strong strategy for taking its differentiated offering to the market. I am keen to work with the experienced management team and support them in continuing to grow internationally. It’s an exciting venture to be part of in a very interesting segment of the market.”

With the acquisition of Wellbore, Ardyne now has 40 employees and additional facilities in Tananger, Norway. In June, the company announced the appointment of Adrian Bannister as chief financial officer. He was previously in the same role at both OEG Offshore and Viking Seatech.