OiLSERV Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

OiLSERV has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, and market development.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, OiLSERV provides world-class oilfield solutions across the Middle East and North Africa, prioritizing ethics, quality, and client satisfaction in every endeavor.

Leadership Roles at OiLSERV

  • Chief Executive Officer - Sarah Akbar
  • PA To the Group CEO & Chairman - Mariette Skinner
  • Group Chief Financial Officer - Solomon Okodugha
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Joe Melhem
  • Group Chief Financial Officer - Christopher Okonkwo
  • Chief Operating Officer - Akram Abughalia
  • To The Technical Assistant & Chief Operating Officer & Quality Assurance Engineer - Chinedu Akaeme
  • President - Patrick Van De Slijke
  • President - Samer Salous
  • Group Economist and Chief of Staff To the GCEO - Cephalus Wariri
  • Sarah Akbar - Chief Executive Officer

    Sarah Akbar, the Chief Executive Officer at OiLSERV, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Akbar guides OiLSERV's mission to deliver world-class oilfield services throughout the Middle East and North Africa, emphasizing a steadfast commitment to ethics and quality. This leadership role involves overseeing the integration of diverse service offerings, including drilling, cementing, stimulation, wireline logging, and production solutions, ensuring they meet the unique demands of each client. Akbar drives the company's pursuit of continuous improvement and market-leading, cost-effective services. The Chief Executive Officer ensures adherence to stringent health, safety, and environmental management standards. By fostering a culture of relentless pursuit of excellence and integrity, Sarah Akbar aims to consistently exceed client expectations and solidify OiLSERV's position as a trusted partner in the energy sector.
    Sarah Akbar

    Mariette Skinner - PA To the Group CEO & Chairman

    Mariette Skinner, the PA To the Group CEO & Chairman at OiLSERV, provides critical administrative and operational support to the highest levels of executive leadership. Skinner manages complex scheduling, facilitates communication flow between the Group CEO, Chairman, and other key stakeholders, and ensures the smooth execution of daily operations. This role is essential for maintaining organizational efficiency and enabling the Group CEO and Chairman to focus on strategic initiatives and high-level decision-making. Skinner's responsibilities include coordinating meetings, preparing essential documentation, and acting as a key liaison for internal and external communications. The effective management of these tasks by Mariette Skinner directly contributes to the seamless functioning of OiLSERV's executive office and supports the company's overarching goals of delivering quality oilfield services.

    Solomon Okodugha - Group Chief Financial Officer

    Solomon Okodugha, the Group Chief Financial Officer at OiLSERV, directs the company's financial strategy, planning, and reporting. Okodugha manages all fiscal operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment analysis, ensuring financial health and sustainability across the organization's operations in the Middle East and North Africa. This role is critical for maintaining OiLSERV's commitment to delivering cost-effective services while upholding stringent quality and ethical standards. The Group Chief Financial Officer oversees risk management, capital allocation, and ensures compliance with all financial regulations. Solomon Okodugha collaborates with executive leadership to support strategic growth initiatives and optimize financial performance, reinforcing the company's dedication to integrity and excellence in all financial dealings.

    Joe Melhem - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Joe Melhem, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at OiLSERV, oversees the company's financial operations and strategic financial planning. Melhem manages all aspects of financial management, including accounting, treasury, and financial reporting, ensuring robust fiscal discipline across OiLSERV's extensive service offerings in the Middle East and North Africa. This executive position is crucial for maintaining the company's commitment to delivering market-leading, cost-effective solutions while upholding the highest standards of ethics and quality. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer collaborates closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other senior leaders to drive financial performance, manage risk, and support sustainable growth. Joe Melhem's leadership ensures financial integrity and operational excellence, reinforcing OiLSERV's dedication to exceeding client expectations.

    Christopher Okonkwo - Group Chief Financial Officer

    Christopher Okonkwo, the Group Chief Financial Officer at OiLSERV, directs the company's financial strategy and management across its operations in the Middle East and North Africa. Okonkwo is responsible for financial planning, analysis, and reporting, ensuring the fiscal health and efficiency of OiLSERV's integrated drilling, cementing, stimulation, wireline logging, and production solutions. This role is pivotal in maintaining the company's commitment to providing cost-effective services without compromising on quality or ethical standards. The Group Chief Financial Officer oversees capital allocation, risk management, and compliance, supporting strategic growth and operational excellence. Christopher Okonkwo's financial acumen ensures that OiLSERV continues to deliver market-leading services while upholding its core values of integrity and client satisfaction.

    Akram Abughalia - Chief Operating Officer

    Akram Abughalia, the Chief Operating Officer at OiLSERV, spearheads the company's operational strategies and execution across the Middle East and North Africa. Abughalia oversees the comprehensive suite of oilfield services, including integrated drilling, cementing, stimulation, wireline logging, and production solutions, ensuring seamless delivery and client satisfaction. This leadership position involves optimizing operational efficiency, driving cost-effectiveness, and maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental management. The Chief Operating Officer is instrumental in implementing continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service quality and reliability. Akram Abughalia works closely with other executive leaders to align operational capabilities with the company's strategic objectives, ensuring OiLSERV consistently meets and exceeds client expectations through integrity and excellence in all business dealings.

    Chinedu Akaeme - To The Technical Assistant & Chief Operating Officer & Quality Assurance Engineer

    Chinedu Akaeme, the To The Technical Assistant & Chief Operating Officer & Quality Assurance Engineer at OiLSERV, provides multifaceted support across technical operations and quality management. Akaeme assists the Chief Operating Officer in overseeing the delivery of integrated oilfield services, ensuring adherence to stringent quality assurance protocols. This role involves meticulous attention to detail in maintaining high standards for drilling, cementing, stimulation, wireline logging, and production solutions across the Middle East and North Africa. The Quality Assurance Engineer ensures that all operations align with OiLSERV's commitment to excellence, ethics, and safety. Chinedu Akaeme's contributions are vital in upholding the company's reputation for reliability and superior service delivery, supporting the overall mission of exceeding client expectations.
    Chinedu Akaeme

    Patrick Van De Slijke - President

    Patrick Van De Slijke, the President at OiLSERV, drives strategic initiatives and operational oversight for key market segments within the company's global reach. Van De Slijke focuses on expanding OiLSERV's service offerings and market presence, particularly in integrated drilling, cementing, stimulation, wireline logging, and production solutions. This leadership role emphasizes maintaining the company's dedication to world-class service delivery, ethical conduct, and uncompromising quality across the Middle East and North Africa. The President works to foster strong client relationships and ensure operational efficiency, contributing to the company's reputation for cost-effectiveness and reliability. Patrick Van De Slijke's leadership supports OiLSERV's continuous pursuit of excellence and integrity in all business dealings.
    Patrick Van De Slijke

    Samer Salous - President

    Samer Salous, the President at OiLSERV, leads strategic development and market expansion initiatives for the company's extensive oilfield services. Salous oversees the implementation of advanced solutions in drilling, cementing, stimulation, wireline logging, and production, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction across the Middle East and North Africa. This executive role is critical in driving operational excellence and maintaining OiLSERV's commitment to ethical practices and environmental stewardship. The President collaborates with executive teams to enhance service offerings, optimize cost-effectiveness, and reinforce the company's market-leading position. Samer Salous's leadership ensures that OiLSERV consistently exceeds client expectations through a relentless pursuit of excellence and integrity.

    Cephalus Wariri - Group Economist and Chief of Staff To the GCEO

    Cephalus Wariri, the Group Economist and Chief of Staff To the GCEO at OiLSERV, provides strategic economic analysis and operational support to the Group Chief Executive Officer. Wariri develops economic models and forecasts to inform business strategy, particularly concerning market dynamics within the oilfield services sector in the Middle East and North Africa. As Chief of Staff, Wariri ensures alignment between the GCEO's vision and the company's operational execution, facilitating communication and driving key initiatives. This dual role requires a deep understanding of market trends, financial implications, and operational efficiencies. Cephalus Wariri plays a vital part in maintaining OiLSERV's commitment to quality, ethics, and cost-effectiveness, supporting the company's relentless pursuit of excellence and integrity.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding OiLSERV Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads OiLSERV?
    OiLSERV is led by Sarah Akbar (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Mariette Skinner (PA To the Group CEO & Chairman) and Solomon Okodugha (Group Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of OiLSERV’s executive team?
    The executive team of OiLSERV includes leaders such as Sarah Akbar (Chief Executive Officer), Mariette Skinner (PA To the Group CEO & Chairman), Solomon Okodugha (Group Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does OiLSERV have?
    OiLSERV has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in OiLSERV’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of OiLSERV includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, PA To the Group CEO & Chairman, Group Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer.