Hilde Waaler, public relations manager at Stavanger-based rig operator Seadrill Management AS, has agreed to serve as chair of the marketing committee for ONS 2008.

Appointed by the board of the Offshore Northern Seas Foundation, this committee acts as an advisory body for the directors and management.

Its role is to help plan and implement communication and marketing measures which can ensure that the event retains and enhances its strong position in the oil, gas and energy sectors.

"ONS is one of the most important meeting places for the world’s oil industry," says Ms Waaler in a comment on her appointment.

"It attracts the whole petroleum-related business in Norway and the rest of the world to a unique event. That makes chairing the marketing committee an exciting challenge, which I’ve accepted with respect and anticipation."

Ms Waaler joined Smedvig, now part of Seadrill, in 1987, and has held her present position since 1995. She studied journalism and public relations in the USA.

"We’re very gratified that Ms Waaler has accepted the job of chairing our marketing committee," says ONS president Kjell Ursin-Smith.

"She has previously served as a member of the committee, when she clearly demonstrated her qualities as an able and creative marketer.

Her leadership skills are also very good, which will be very significant in this important committee. She works for one of the world’s leading drilling companies, a sector which is increasingly important for the ONS event."

Ms Waaler will lead one of the two main committees involved in organising ONS 2008. The conference committee is chaired by Jean-Marie Dauger, chief operating officer of Gaz de France.