Transocean Announces Changes and Promotions

Transocean Sedco Forex Inc. announced that Jon C. Cole has been name executive vice president, Shallow and Inland Water Operations, overseeing the company's industry-leading presence in the shallow and inland waters of the U.S. drilling market.

Cole joined the company in 1977 in Corporate Planning and has since held a number of management roles in the company's Operations and Marketing departments, including Division Manager in Egypt ad Scotland and Senior vice President of European Operations. Prior to his new assignment, Cole held the position of Executive Vice President, Marketing. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., where he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry and MBA. He currently serves as a director of the International Association of Drilling Contractors and is a member of the Society of Petroleum engineers.

In addition, the company announced the following promotions: Donald Ray has been named executive vice president, Technical Services. Ray joined the company in 1972 as a research engineer after serving in the U.S. Army Corp of engineers. He has served in a number of engineering and research and development positions over his 29-year career with the company. Presently, he is responsible for the company's Engineering; Construction and Project Management; New Technology; QHS&E; and Procurement departments. He is a graduate of Texas A&M university in College Station, Texas, where he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering. Ray is a member of the society of Petroleum Engineers and is a director of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. He also serves as a member of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Eric B. Brown has been named senior vice president, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Brown joined the company in 1995 as vice president, General Counsel. He graduated summa cum laude from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and received his J.D. magna cum laude from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., where he was member of the Order of the coif.

Jeffrey L. Chastain has been named vice president, Investor Relations and Communications. Chastain join the company is 1994 as Director of Investor Relations. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, where he received a B.B.A. and MBA in finance. He is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and the Petroleum Investor Relations Association (PIRA).

Robert J. Scott has been named vice president, Operations Support. Scott joined the company in 1969 has held a variety of operating management roles over the past 32 years. Prior to his current appointment, Scott served as general manager, Operations.

Micheal I. Unsworth has been named vice president, Marketing. Unsworth joined the company in 1981 and held a number of staff engineering and management positions through 1990. In 1991, he was named North Sea Marketing Manager and in 1995, was appointed Division Manager in Indonesia. Prior to his current appointment, Unsworth served as Regional Manager of Asia and Australia. He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.