Transocean’s Post

Terrible news. I remember sitting in the morning ops meetings and he would just sit there, head down on his phone…until he tuned in to some bullshit someone was trying to pass off and the head would lift up, and the eyes would roll in disgust. Haha legend! He could just see straight through the nonsense. X

Michel was a wonderful colleague and friend and I had the priviledge to work with Michel on several occasions and in particular in Nigeria. He was a steady force in difficult situations and developed his people with a great hart. Clients loved his focus on operational excellence and his very social personality. Very fond memories of "Captain" Michel having sourced the Mini Pathfinder in the US and brought it on the back of the Deepwwater Pathfinder to Nigeria , to allow families and clients to enjoy the week end trips to the Transocean Beach to wind down and relax.

I first met Michel in the North Sea in 1985 during the Sedco and Forex Neptune merger as well as SLB. He was a part of a great group of fellow Frenchmen such as Claude Nasse, Jean - Claude Millescamp, Jules Ricard, Daniel Castet, Patrick Rannou and many many more, who were all very experienced and a pleasure to work. The French working internationally referred to themselves as the French Foreign Legion. No job to difficult, no conditions able to be overcome. The one saying all these gentlemen would state when asked to do a difficult job, that many others were not prepared to do “ We will Manage”. It is truly the end of an era.

C'est avec une profonde tristesse que je viens d’apprendre le départ de Michel. Depuis les années 80 nos routes se sont croisées a plusieurs reprises sur des projets de Rotterdam à Rio en passant par Aberdeen, Singapour, Varenne en Italie et Lagos. J’ai gardé le souvenir le souvenir d'un collègue toujours de bonne humeur, prêt à aider et avec qui c’était un véritable plaisir de travailler et aussi de partager des moments conviviaux. Mes pensées les plus sincères vont à sa famille.

Very sad news. Michel was twice my boss, first when I was a rig engineer with the Sovereign Explorer in the North Sea (he was my rig manager) and then as a Rig Manager for the Deepwater Pathfinder in Nigeria (he was my operations manager). He was a mentor, and I learned a lot from him. He was always a pleasure to be around. My condolences to his family. 

Wow. Shocked to read this news. Michel was a very special man. He knew how to get the best from people We first worked together in Ravenna Italy. Sadly he got me hooked on watches as we attended the "Millie Milga" historic car race and then he embarrassed me to buy the watch - lol, it was a great day. And whenever we met later we always discussed watches and then work RIP my friend. A huge loss

Sad news. I was Shell DSV on S714 in the North Sea; Michel was the OIM. I always remember the posters he put up, related to Quality: “Most people will forget our successes, but everyone will remember our failures”.

Sad news Michel was my OIM in the Sedco 714 mid 90s later on the Express projects also spent time working with him in Brazil.Condolences to his friends and family..

Michel joined Sedco-Forex Sedco 704 as NTP from TECHFOR-COSIFOR in early 90’s and was passionate back then with his clicking fingers and wink of an eye “I have job for you”. Then crossed paths late 90’s when Michel managed the construction of Sedco Energy / Express. Last assignment with Michel was when he managed Nigeria operations. Absolute gentleman who had high expectations and was always available. RIP

Michel was indeed a legend in the industry, and I’m fortunate to have had the privilege of working with him in Brazil and Nigeria. Rest in peace, you’ll be missed, my friend.