After spending more than 10 years as CFO, new MD Ken Picard, said it was pleasing to see ODE had increased its market share over recent years.

He said it was not true that they had won an exclusive contract to drill Santos' Cooper Basin wells, but they had won more Santos work than they had previously.

Skirka had spent over 30 years with OD&E, the last 12 as Managing Director. The company was taken over by Canadian-based Ensign Resources last year.

Picard said the company was looking forward to introducing some of the safer, automated drilling rigs Ensign used overseas with their economic as well as safety benefits.

He said the rig up / rig down time was reduced to 24 hours (less travel) with the new styled rigs.

"A consistent drilling program with a new automated rig, including mobilisation costs from overseas, would see an operator saving money on drilling costs within six months," said Picard.