Energy Pioneers Podcast - Episode 2: Mark Childers and Offshore Drilling

Mark A. Childers is an engineer, manager, inventor and pioneer in the development of offshore drilling and production.  He joined Humble Oil & Refining Co. (now ExxonMobil) as an engineer in the offshore oil and gas business in New Orleans.  At that time the offshore oil and gas industry was still young, but developing rapidly. Humble provided an outstanding training ground via assignments at the division level, headquarters, at its research center (Esso Production Research Co.), and in offshore California. In 1972, Mark joined Ocean Drilling and Exploration Co. (ODECO), then one of the largest worldwide offshore drilling contractors, as a Staff Engineer, subsequently moving up to Operations Engineering Manager then Vice President/Chief Engineer in 1977.  Five years later he was named General Manager/Vice President of Domestic Operations. He semi-retired from the industry in 2007, but continued to work in the business as a consultant well into his late 70s. Mark was responsible for many technical innovations and operating techniques affecting safety and drilling efficiency that led to Gulf of Mexico water depth and drilling depth records.  He was involved in the design, construction and operation of all types of offshore drilling rigs, and, as a result, he became widely known for his skills and achievements. Mark was most proud of developing and training ODECO’s young drilling engineers, many of whom became leaders in the industry. He is the recipient of many industry awards and spent several years as a spokesman on oil and gas business.