Songa Offshore SE has announced the nomination of Michael Mannering, president of the Rig Management Group at Schlumberger, as a new director and chairman of the board. He will succeed Jens Wilhelmsen, to step down in order to focus his time on his private equity investment companies. The new chairman, Mike Mannering has over 30 years' experience in the energy industry.

From 2008, Mannering has been President of Rig Management at Schlumberger and is currently responsible for rigs contracted by IPM and for the Schlumberger equity participation in Schlumberger rig joint ventures. He is Chairman of Saxon Energy Services. The proposed nominations are supported by Songa's two larger shareholders, Perestroika AS and Spencer Energy AS.