Curriculum Vitæ

Dwight
Ledet

Senior Geothermal & Drilling Operations Leader

Copenhagen, Denmark
USA / EU Citizen

Professional Summary

Results-driven geothermal and drilling operations leader with 20+ years of international project management across geothermal, Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD), directional, and underbalanced operations. A unique combination of deep technical field expertise and advanced credentials in energy law, geothermal systems research, and data science. Proven track record delivering complex, high-stakes projects for major operators including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Baker Hughes, Shell, and national energy companies — across Kenya, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Australia, Denmark, Japan, and beyond. Dual US/EU citizenship enables seamless deployment across global geothermal markets.

Core Competencies

Geothermal Project Management
MPD / CBHP / PMCD Operations
Well Engineering & Planning
High-Temperature / High-Pressure Drilling
Directional & Horizontal Drilling
Borehole Heat Exchanger Systems
Thermal Response Testing
HAZID / HAZOP
Crew Training & Certification
Energy & Environmental Law
Data Analysis (Python / R / SQL)
International Stakeholder Management

Professional Experience

MPD Project Manager

Beyond Energy Services & Technology · Newfoundland, Canada

Led all phases of a Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP) MPD project for ExxonMobil on the Hebron offshore platform, one of Canada's most technically demanding offshore installations.

  • Directed pre-planning, mobilization, and installation of the full MPD package on schedule and within budget.
  • Managed crew buildout, onboarding, and competency-based training programs for a multidisciplinary offshore team.
  • Implemented safe, efficient drilling practices through rigorous well engineering, logistics coordination, and real-time CBHP oversight.

Geothermal Development Manager

Baker Hughes — Geothermal

Led multidisciplinary geothermal development initiatives, serving as the technical authority bridging field operations, engineering, and executive decision-making.

  • Advised senior management on technical strategy, commercial viability, and risk across Baker Hughes's geothermal project portfolio.
  • Ensured rigorous integration of work packages, constraints, and milestones into project planning frameworks, maintaining accurate reporting for internal and client-facing stakeholders.
  • Represented the geothermal function in business solutions presentations to executive leadership, contributing to strategic energy transition growth initiatives.
  • Served as the subject-matter expert connecting Baker Hughes's MPD/drilling technology heritage to emerging geothermal applications (EGS, HTHP wells, closed-loop systems).

Geothermal Research Associate

University of Stavanger — Energy, Environment & Society · Norway

Conducted applied geothermal research focused on shallow geothermal heating systems, contributing to both academic knowledge and industry-applicable technology development.

  • Developed and analysed borehole heat exchanger (BHE) systems and thermal response testing (TRT) methodologies in partnership with MuoviTech Geoenergy, Sweden.
  • Active member of the University of Stavanger Energy Group – Geothermal Development Program.
  • Master's thesis: A Critical History of Geothermal Energy — a comprehensive examination of the sector's technical, policy, and commercial evolution.

Independent Professional Consultant

Self-Employed · International

Delivered specialist drilling project management and technical supervision for geothermal and oil & gas operators across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas. Selected engagements:

Geothermal Development Company — Menengai Crater, Kenya

Project manager for Kenya's national geothermal drilling operations. Planned and executed HTHP directional and underbalanced drilling programs supporting the country's transition to indigenous renewable power.

RasGas / ExxonMobil & QatarGas / ConocoPhillips — Doha, Qatar

Project managed and provided on-site supervision for multiple PMCD campaigns in high-H₂S, fractured carbonate reservoirs. Authored rig- and well-specific procedures, contingency plans, and trained operator and rig personnel.

AGIP North Caspian Operating Co. / ExxonMobil — Kashagan, Kazakhstan

On-site supervision of PMCD operations in the Kashagan, Kairan, and Aktote fields — extreme H₂S concentrations (>25%) and highly fractured carbonates. Instituted procedures, conducted HAZID/HAZOP, and certified crews across 5 rigs.

Royal Dutch Shell — Rijswijk / Groningen, Netherlands

Drilling engineering supervisor for Shell's SCADA automation project. Provided office-based engineering support and on-site supervision during deployment across the Groningen gas field.

Chevron — Perth / Barrow Island, Australia (Gorgon Project)

Supervised directional drilling campaign for horizontal production wells (Mardie B), vertical/J-well designs, and CO₂ injection wells for Chevron's landmark Gorgon LNG Project.

Drilling Systems Supervisor

Baker Hughes Inteq · International

On-site drilling systems supervisor across diverse international assignments, developing expertise in complex reservoir conditions and varied operational environments across 4 continents.

  • Gabon — Grondin & Rabi Kounga offshore fields
  • Thailand — Pattani Trough, Malay Basin, Sirikit Oilfield
  • Russia — Chayvo Field, Sakhalin Shelf
  • Saudi Arabia — Ghawar Field, Eastern Province
  • Denmark / Netherlands — Gorm Field & Dutch North Sea sector
  • Japan — Yufutsu Oil & Gas Field, Hokkaido
  • UAE — Bu Hasa Oil Field, West Abu Dhabi
  • USA — Bakken, Jonah, Denver-Julesburg & Piceance Basins

Education

LLM / MLS — Energy & Environmental Law & Policy
Texas A&M University — School of Law

Advanced legal analysis of the global energy industry with a focus on regulatory frameworks, environmental policy, and renewable energy law. Directly applicable to geothermal project permitting, land rights, PPA negotiation, and energy transition policy.

MA — Energy, Environment & Society
University of Stavanger · Norway

Research focus on geothermal heating system development, borehole heat exchangers, and thermal response testing. Thesis: A Critical History of Geothermal Energy.

BA — History of Science
Oregon State University

Interdisciplinary examination of scientific ideas and their relationship to industry, policy, and culture. Thesis: Karl Marx and the American Civil War.

Skills & Tools

Programming & Data
Python R SQL JavaScript PHP
Operations
MPD / CBHP PMCD / CHCD Directional Drilling Well Control HAZID / HAZOP
Geothermal
Conventional EGS AGS BHE Systems Thermal Response Testing HTHP Wells
Geographic Reach
Africa Middle East Europe Central Asia Asia-Pacific North America