About us
Founded in 1983, Webster Drilling and Exploration is an experienced drilling company with projects all over the world. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Webster Energy Services, we also deliver specialised services to the oil, gas, and geothermal sectors.
WHAT WE DO
We deliver specialised drilling solutions across a diverse range of sectors worldwide. From remote global environments to complex urban spaces, our capabilities include:
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OUR FLEET & CAPABILITIES
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Drilling Rigs: We design, manufacture, and operate an extensive inventory of over 100 drilling rigs, ranging from man-portable units to full-scale oil, gas and geothermal rig packages.
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Energy Rigs: We own and operate NOVA-1—a 500klbs rapid-mobility Super Single drilling rig package, and RIG 32 a highly capable Drillmec HH350 a 700klbs Geothermal Drilling package
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We also provide crewing, Operations and Maintenance services, and have crewed oil, gas, geothermal and seismic drilling operations in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
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Anchor Drilling: Our inventory features over 25 dedicated anchor drilling rigs.
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Custom Engineering: We design and build site specific drilling modules, mud pump systems and air compressors. Technical maintenance and mechanical engineering are supported by our professional, mobile team from our workshop base in Porirua.
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Remote Access Specialists: Webster Drilling Group is world renowned for our remote access abilities and engineering. From the remote wastelands of the Antarctic and Canadian Arctic, to the jungles of New Guinea and the remote Zagreb mountains of Iran, we have the experience and tools to provide drilling services where others can’t.
HOW WE WORK
For over 40 years, our management team have built a wealth of experience in all types of drilling throughout the world. We maintain a permanent core team of about 50 drilling experts, scaling dynamically with a trusted network of contract drillers to meet project demands.
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Industry & Safety Credentials:
Safety and compliance form the foundation of every project we undertake. We have extensive experience in Safety Management and safety system development and implementation.
We are committed to finding maximum efficiency while protecting our staff, stakeholders, and minimising environmental impact.
Our team of experienced individuals has accrued many years of experience, specialising in the roles of driller, rig manager, rig mechanic, electrician, rig systems compliance expert, cementer, and HSE system developer and auditor.
Change to: Webster Energy Services and NOVA-1 maintains a WorkSafe High Hazard Unit, unconditionally approved safety case for Oil and Gas operations in NZ. Our ongoing commitment to this safety case ensures that our operations meet a significantly higher organisational safety threshold than many other packages in NZ and abroad.
Webster Group is a member of the NZ Drillers Federation, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, NZ Geotechnical Society, NZ Geological Society, and the New Zealand Geothermal Association and has been approved as a registered United Nations Vendor.
OUR TEAM
Bain Webster
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Bain established Webster Drilling in 1983 and has 56 years in the drilling industry, onshore, offshore, oil and gas, seismic, oil drilling operations project management, both nationally and internationally.
Bain remains heavily involved in all facets of the business and rig package design.
Dr. Jeff Ashby
DIRECTOR
Jeff has 44 years in the industry as a petroleum geologist with project management and administration both nationally and internationally.
A core component of Jeff’s work is his continual liaison with the scientific drilling community to keep Webster’ abridged of the latest projects and developments in the scientific drilling sector.
Luke Goodwin
WEBSTER ENERGY SERVICES
GENERAL MANAGER
He has 25 years’ experience in the oil, gas, geothermal and general drilling contracting industry, and is highly competent in rig package design, equipment acquisition, compliance and system operations. Luke is also responsible for the companies IT and computer-controlled drilling technology systems and the co-development of the rig systems Safety Cases, and the Company Safety Management Systems alongside the HSE Manager.
Michelle Hanson
OFFICE MANAGER
Michelle has worked at Webster’s since 1999, and is responsible for the day-to-day administration, including managing accounts for New Zealand and international operations to ensure timely payment of wages and invoices.
She also oversees the companies HR processes and supports the wellbeing of all staff, contributing to a positive workplace.
Hayden Webster
SENIOR PROJECT
& OPERATIONS MANAGER
Hayden is a Senior Project & Operations Manager with 26 years’ experience managing projects from quote to completion on New Zealand and International projects predominantly in the geotechnical, anchor, micro-pile, seismic and oil & gas sectors.
Kyle Webster
SENIOR PROJECT
& OPERATIONS MANAGER
Kyle is a Senior Project & Operations Manager with 20 years’ experience in New Zealand, Antarctica and overseas, covering geotechnical, anchor, micropile, seismic and oil & gas drilling.
Kyle oversees the majority of the company’s rig system design and manufacture, and develops in-house IT and data management systems to maximise the use of Webster’s drilling records and data.
Rhys Thomas
HEALTH & SAFETY MANAGER
Rhys Thomas is Webster’s HSE Manager, with 25 years’ experience in high-risk industries. He supports frontline teams through training and coaching, strengthening safety culture and outcomes.
Rhys oversees Webster’s HSE systems, reporting and continuous improvement, and has played a key role in developing its Safety Management Systems and Safety Cases. He also manages Webster’s relationship with WorkSafe’s High Hazards Unit (HHU).
Adam Rutten
WORKSHOP MANAGER
Adam Rutten is Webster’s Engineering and Workshop Manager, with over 20 years’ mechanical and hydraulic engineering experience, including 13 years in drilling.
He has extensive experience across geotechnical, scientific, seismic and oil & gas projects in New Zealand, and globally, and has worked as the on-shift Mechanical Tradesman for the Nova-1 and Big Ben rig packages. He also has advanced CAD design and modelling skills.