CLIFFORD FORBES
Guardamar del Segura
Summary
Results-driven Senior Rig Manager with 46 years of international experience in offshore and onshore drilling. Expertise in jack-up drilling operations, well control, HSE leadership, and emergency response management. Led multicultural teams in executing complex drilling campaigns while achieving operational performance and safety standards. Committed to developing talent and fostering strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Overview
1
1
Certification
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Rig Manager
Gulf Drilling International (GDI), Qatar
01.2017 - 01.2026
- Directed offshore jack-up drilling operations ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of drilling programmes.
- Maintained full responsibility for HSE performance, operational integrity, budget management, and personnel leadership.
- Managed rig upgrades, major maintenance campaigns, certification requirements, and asset integrity programmes.
- Coordinated activities between clients, contractors, service providers, and regulatory authorities.
- Led multidisciplinary teams while consistently achieving operational excellence and client expectations.
- Rig Type: JU2000E 6th Generation Jack-Up Drilling Rig
Rig Manager
Sino Tharwa Drilling Company, Egypt
01.2012 - 01.2017
- Directed daily drilling operations, maintenance reporting, certification programmes, auditing systems, JSAs, safety procedures, and work programmes.
- Managed rig modifications, equipment standardisation projects, pre-commissioning activities, and operational readiness programmes.
- Ensured operations were executed according to client drilling programmes and approved budgets.
- Coordinated operations to align with client drilling programmes and approved budgets.
OIM / Rig Manager / Drilling Superintendent
KCAD Drilling / Songa Offshore
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Selected as a key member of the Songa Offshore Newbuild Management Team.
- Oversaw construction, commissioning, acceptance testing, and delivery processes for premium offshore jack-up drilling rigs.
- Led major project activities at Beacon Marine Shipyard, Sabine Pass, Texas, USA.
- Managed equipment acceptance testing, systems integration, operational readiness reviews, and handover programmes.
- Coordinated engineering teams, shipyard personnel, drilling crews, contractors, vendors, and client representatives.
- Directed mobilization, rig start-up, safety systems implementation, maintenance planning, and operational performance programmes.
- Managed execution of significant newbuild jack-up projects to enhance operational capacity.
- Songa Jupiter
- Songa Mercury
- Songa Tellus
- Contributed to the construction, commissioning, acceptance testing, and delivery of the Songa Jupiter, Songa Mercury, and Songa Tellus premium jack-up drilling rigs at Beacon Marine Shipyard, Sabine Pass, Texas, USA.
Rig Manager
Noble Drilling
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Conducted planning and preparation activities prior to rig mobilisation.
- Assisted engineering and technical teams in resolving operational issues and improving drilling performance.
- Analysed operational data and recommended enhancements to improve production performance.
- Ensured compliance with environmental legislation, government regulations, and company procedures.
Assistant Driller / Driller / Toolpusher
Maersk Drilling
01.1991 - 01.2004
- Progressed through increasingly senior offshore drilling leadership positions.
- Supervised drilling operations, well testing, well intervention, and production optimisation programmes.
- Supported engineering and operational teams in resolving drilling and production challenges, enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Created drilling plans and recovery programmes for oil and gas field operations, ensuring efficient resource extraction.
Derrickman / Assistant Driller
Global Marine
01.1989 - 01.1990
Derrickman / Assistant Driller
Foramac Drilling
01.1986 - 01.1989
Roustabout / Derrickman
South Eastern Drilling Services
01.1980 - 01.1986
Education
Higher Diploma -
SIMAC Svendborg International Maritime Academy
DenmarkTechnical Diploma - Technical Drawing, Wood & Metal Work
O-Level Education - undefined
Skills
- Drilling operations
- Offshore & Onshore Drilling Operations
- Well Engineering
- Well Control Operations
- HSE management
- Asset Integrity Management
- Rig Upgrade Management
- Emergency management
- Operational Strategy Development
- Cost management
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Risk management
- Crew development
- Operational Excellence
Affiliations
- City & Guilds
- Hugh Dow Glaziers & Carpenters (1977 - 1980)
Certification
- Well Control & Drilling
- Well Control (D.O.E.)
- Well Control Refresher
- Well Control Supervisor
- Well Control Subsea
- Subsea Training
- Drill Through Equipment
- Directional Drilling Operations Trainer I
- Directional Drilling Operations Trainer II
- Stuck Pipe Prevention
- Offshore Survival & Emergency Response
- Offshore Survival Course (RGIT)
- Offshore Survival Refresher
- HUET (OPITO)
- Crew Resource Management
- Extended Safety Refresher
- Management of Major Emergencies (RGIT Montrose, Scotland)
- Firefighting
- Leiro 3 Firefighting
- Firefighting Leader
- 51-Hour Basic & Advanced Firefighting (US Coast Guard Approved)
- Offshore Installation Management
- Offshore Installation Manager
- Master Offshore Installation Manager
- Lifeboat Captain / Coxswain
- Stability & Ballast Control
- Thirty-Hour Stability & Ballast Control for Mobile Offshore Units
- Barge Supervisor
- Leadership & Safety
- H₂S Basic Safety
- Safety Leadership
- Safety Awareness
- Management Seminar 1
- Management Seminar 2
- Management Education Module 1
- Management Education Module 2
PERSONAL STATEMENT
I am a highly motivated drilling professional with 46 years of industry experience who genuinely enjoys coming to work every day. I thrive on challenges, lead by example, and remain committed to developing teams, improving operational performance, and delivering safe and successful drilling operations. My progression from Roustabout to Senior Rig Manager reflects my dedication, work ethic, leadership capability, and passion for the drilling industry.
Timeline
Senior Rig Manager
Gulf Drilling International (GDI), Qatar
01.2017 - 01.2026
Rig Manager
Sino Tharwa Drilling Company, Egypt
01.2012 - 01.2017
OIM / Rig Manager / Drilling Superintendent
KCAD Drilling / Songa Offshore
01.2006 - 01.2012
Rig Manager
Noble Drilling
01.2004 - 01.2006
Assistant Driller / Driller / Toolpusher
Maersk Drilling
01.1991 - 01.2004
Derrickman / Assistant Driller
Global Marine
01.1989 - 01.1990
Derrickman / Assistant Driller
Foramac Drilling
01.1986 - 01.1989
Roustabout / Derrickman
South Eastern Drilling Services
01.1980 - 01.1986
O-Level Education - undefined
Technical Diploma - Technical Drawing, Wood & Metal Work
Higher Diploma -
SIMAC Svendborg International Maritime Academy