Derek Balfour

Derek graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Abertay, Dundee and has 23 years of oilfield experience. After completing a mechanical apprenticeship Derek gained entry-level rig crew experience on jackup and platform rigs in the North Sea. He subsequently performed a number of drilling engineering and wellsite supervision roles including an assignment in Myanmar and extensive experience with Shell's Southern North Sea underbalanced drilling programme.

After four years in the Netherlands as an Operations Well Engineer for Shell NAM, Derek joined FOL in 2009. His assignments to date include Senior Well Engineer and Drilling Superintendent roles for FOL clients in complex Southern North Sea and East Irish Sea jackup campaigns.