Turan management

Turan Drilling & Engineering is a joint venture between global drilling and engineering contractor KCA Deutag and Azerbaijan drilling and integrated well services company, SOCAR AQS. Here is a brief introduction to our management team.

Edward Wheler

General Director

Ed started his career with Schlumberger in 1995 as a young trainee and continued with his introduction to the oil and gas industry during his 5-year tenure with the company in the UK North Sea. During this time, Ed gained his diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

In May 2000, he joined Halliburton – Sperry Drilling as an M/LWD & DD Electro/Mechanical Engineer. During this time, Ed worked in various locations onshore and offshore/land drilling operations in the Middle East, US, South America, South East Asia and Australasia. Laterally, he provided rotational work to Papua New Guinea to manage the commissioning of land drilling rigs for the client - Oil Search Limited. Ed went on to hold numerous positions of increased management and leadership responsibility during his 12-year tenure with the company. In 2012, Ed joined Wood in a corporate role as global focal point and Technical Authority for all Technical and Operational Quality matters within the organisation.

In 2014, a new challenge saw Ed joining KCA Deutag in 2014 as Rig Manager in the UK North Sea. Ed spent 5 years in this role, before being promoted to Country Manager for KCA Deutag in Canada responsible for delivering operations for the client, ExxonMobil. Ed took his current position as General Director for Turan Drilling and Engineering in June 2022.

Ed holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and an honours degree in business administration from Robert Gordons University in Aberdeen.

Tomislav Klenkar

Operations Manager and Deputy General Director

Tomislav started his career with CROSCO Croatian Oil Service Company in 2000 as young graduate and held numerous positions of increased responsibility during his 6-year tenure with the company, ending as Rig Manager. Managing mainly on/offshore exploration projects Tomislav had opportunity to operate in Europe, Central Amerika, Middle East, and North Africa regions. In April 2006 he joined KCADeutag Oman operations and was working his way through Middle East and North Afrika to Azerbaijan. In 2011 he joined KCADeutag Azerbaijan Offshore operations as Rig Manager and was promoted to the Operations Manager in 2017, following his latest promotion in Sep 2021 to his current position as an Operations Manager and Deputy General Director for Turan Drilling and Engineering.

Tomislav holds a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Zagreb, an executive master’s degree in business administration from Cotrugli Business school and a doctorate degree in business administration from the University of Liverpool.

Victor Testa

Finance & Administration Manager and Deputy General Director

Victor started his career with KPMG Malta in 2007 as a young trainee after he graduated in Public Policy and furthered his studies in Accountancy with Honours. During 2009 and 2010 Victor continued his studies and obtained a Master of Laws degree from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands. During his Masters’ degree, Victor was a trainee at KPMG in The Netherlands.

In 2011, Victor joined MGG Group as an accountant and was then promoted to financial controller. During this time, Victor built his own accountancy skills and applied his education to practice. In 2013, Victor joined KCA Deutag as a Finance and Administration Manager in Libya. Victor spent two years in this role, before moving to Algeria Operations within the same company. During his time at KCA Deutag Victor has been involved in various projects such as the Kenya entry project plan and the North Africa projects. In 2021, Victor moved to the Azerbaijan operation, joining Turan Drilling and Engineering. Following his latest promotion, Victor is the Finance and Administration Manager and Deputy General Director for Turan Drilling & Engineering in July 2022.

Victor is a registered Certified Public Accountant and an affiliate member of the Accountancy Board.