About
Unit Drilling Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unit Corporation.
Unit Drilling Company was founded in 1963 with three drilling rigs. Today, the company operates 14 onshore drilling rigs in various regions throughout the United States. Unit is focused on its core operating basins in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico. With over 60 years of experience, Unit Drilling offers super-spec, pad-optimal rigs with excellent crews. Unit prides itself in its rig crews and an unmatched level of professionalism. Unit strives to build relationships and create value for its customers, helping them exceed expectations by operating safely and efficiently.
In 2014, Unit debuted its proprietary designed BOSS drilling rig. This purpose-built, 1,500 horsepower, AC, super-spec rig combines the best technological innovations into a single rig to meet the market’s ever-changing demands. Currently, Unit operates 14 BOSS drilling rigs in our core operating basins.
Strategy
- Build upon our 60-year history and maximize our operational and HSE performance while creating value for all stakeholders.
- Focus our resources on core operating basins while maintaining full utilization of the company’s 14 pad-optimal, high specification, A/C BOSS rigs.
- Create sustainable careers by further developing and retaining our loyal employee base.
- Align ourselves with customers who seek value through efficiency, HSE performance and innovated technology that will enable us to exceed expectations and fundamentally change our industry for the better.
- Maximize the value of our BOSS rig technology through bolt-on, industry changing hardware and software such as advanced battery technology, natural gas and grid power utilization.
Operations
Rig Fleet Presence in Key Regions
Rig Fleet
Unit’s fleet is comprised of 14 super-spec, AC, BOSS rigs. The super-spec BOSS rigs are equipped with high-torque top drives and (2) 2,200 horsepower 7,500 psi quintuplex mud pumps and automated, walking catwalks. The BOSS rigs have racking capabilities ranging from 22,500 to 26,500 feet for today’s horizontal drilling requirements. All Unit rigs have omni-directional walking or skidding systems designed for high-density drilling locations.
Super-Spec BOSS Rig Fleet
Rig
Location
availability
Spec Sheet
401
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
402
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
403
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
404
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
405
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
406
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
407
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
408
Permian
Available
BOSS Spec Sheet
409
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
410
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
411
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
412
Permian
Available
BOSS Spec Sheet
413
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
414
Permian
Contracted
BOSS Spec Sheet
Management
Chris Menefee – President
Mr. Menefee was appointed President of Unit Drilling Company in November 2020. He most recently served as Senior Vice President, Business Development at Independence Contract Drilling from 2012 to April 2020. Before that, he spent over 15 years at Rowan Companies, Inc. where he held many operational and management roles, including the Director of Marketing from 2006 to 2012. Mr. Menefee graduated from The University of Mississippi in Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.
Joe Sparkman – Sr. Vice President, Engineering and Operational Support
Mr. Sparkman joined Unit Drilling Company in 2005 as a Drilling Engineer. In 2011, he undertook the role of Engineering Manager. In 2013, he was promoted to Vice President, Engineering & Operational Support. Mr. Sparkman was promoted to Senior Vice President in January 2024. His current responsibilities include supervising the design and fabrication of new build and refurbished drilling rigs, providing technical support to field operations and developing the engineering department. Mr. Sparkman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Chris Menefee – President
Mr. Menefee was appointed President of Unit Drilling Company in November 2020. He most recently served as Senior Vice President, Business Development at Independence Contract Drilling from 2012 to April 2020. Before that, he spent over 15 years at Rowan Companies, Inc. where he held many operational and management roles, including the Director of Marketing from 2006 to 2012. Mr. Menefee graduated from The University of Mississippi in Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.
Joe Sparkman – Sr. Vice President, Engineering and Operational Support
Mr. Sparkman joined Unit Drilling Company in 2005 as a Drilling Engineer. In 2011, he undertook the role of Engineering Manager. In 2013, he was promoted to Vice President, Engineering & Operational Support. Mr. Sparkman was promoted to Senior Vice President in January 2024. His current responsibilities include supervising the design and fabrication of new build and refurbished drilling rigs, providing technical support to field operations and developing the engineering department. Mr. Sparkman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Ryan Hessler – Vice President, Operations
Mr. Hessler joined Unit Drilling in September 2021 as an Operations Manager and was quickly promoted to Director, Operations in January 2023. In January 2024, Mr. Hessler was promoted to Vice President, Operations. His 15+ year career has been focused on operational efficiencies through strategic and specific objectives and goals. He has a wealth of knowledge in overseeing multiple operations and a deep understanding of the business acumen with regards to operational performance, drilling optimization, financial discipline while prioritizing health and safety throughout the fleet. He has worked various operations and management roles including servicing as an Operations Manager in multiple US basins. Mr. Hessler graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
John Williams – Director, Sales and Marketing
Mr. Williams joined Unit Drilling Company in March 2021. He most recently served as an operations consultant for Kosmos Energy in the US Gulf of Mexico from 2020 to early 2021. From 2014 to 2020, after holding roles in marketing, operations, and data analytics, he was promoted to Manager, Business Development for the Western Hemisphere at Rowan Companies and subsequently Valaris PLC. Prior to that, he served in various positions at NOV including marketing, business development, and sales from 2008 to 2014. His greatest strengths are his creativity, attention to details, and leadership. He currently holds the Vice Chairman, Board of Director’s position and is on the Scholarship Committee for the IADC’s Houston Chapter. Mr. Williams graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and History.
Ryan Hessler – Vice President, Operations
Mr. Hessler joined Unit Drilling in September 2021 as an Operations Manager and was quickly promoted to Director, Operations in January 2023. In January 2024, Mr. Hessler was promoted to Vice President, Operations, His 15+ year career has been focused on operational efficiencies through strategic and specific objectives and goals. He has a wealth of knowledge in overseeing multiple operations and a deep understanding of the business acumen with regards to operational performance, drilling optimization, financial discipline while prioritizing health and safety throughout the fleet. He has worked various operations and management roles including servicing as an Operations Manager in multiple US basins. Mr. Hessler graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
John Williams – Director, Sales and Marketing
Mr. Williams joined Unit Drilling Company in March 2021. He most recently served as an operations consultant for Kosmos Energy in the US Gulf of Mexico from 2020 to early 2021. From 2014 to 2020, after holding roles in marketing, operations, and data analytics, he was promoted to Manager, Business Development for the Western Hemisphere at Rowan Companies and subsequently Valaris PLC. Prior to that, he served in various positions at NOV including marketing, business development, and sales from 2008 to 2014. His greatest strengths are his creativity, attention to details, and leadership. He currently holds the Vice Chairman, Board of Director’s position and is on the Scholarship Committee for the IADC’s Houston Chapter. Mr. Williams graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and History.
Tanya Hernandez – Director, Personnel and Administration
Mrs. Hernandez joined Unit Drilling Company in 2022 as the Recruiting Manager. In January of 2023, she was promoted to Director, Personnel and Administration. Her 20+ year career extends across performance management, organizational development, change management, full cycle recruitment, compensation, and employee relations within the oil and gas sector. Along with a robust business acumen, she is particularly strong at building business strategies and initiatives focused on solving personnel challenges. She graduated from the University of Houston – Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Jack Womack – Manager, Health and Safety
Mr. Womack joined Unit Drilling Company in 2011 as a Safety Manager. In 2015, he was selected as the Safety Programs Manager. He held that position until 2020, when he was promoted to the Manager of Health and Safety. He is responsible for overseeing the Health and Safety for Unit Drilling Company’s facilities and rig fleet. His background includes numerous years of experience in the oil and gas sector from working on the rigs in various capacities to working as a Drillings Fluid Engineer for Baker Hughes from 2008 to 2011. Mr. Womack proudly served in the United States Navy as a Naval Corpsman. He was attached to the 2nd Marine Division and served in Desert Shield and Operation Restoring Hope. He desires to help Unit keep the employees safe through proper safety training and practices as well as creating a positive workplace which supports and empowers the employees.
Tanya Hernandez – Director, Personnel and Administration
Mrs. Hernandez joined Unit Drilling Company in 2022 as the Recruiting Manager. In January of 2023, she was promoted to Director, Personnel and Administration. Her 20+ year career extends across performance management, organizational development, change management, full cycle recruitment, compensation, and employee relations within the oil and gas sector. Along with a robust business acumen, she is particularly strong at building business strategies and initiatives focused on solving personnel challenges. She graduated from the University of Houston – Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Jack Womack – Manager, Health and Safety
Mr. Womack joined Unit Drilling Company in 2011 as a Safety Manager. In 2015, he was selected as the Safety Programs Manager. He held that position until 2020, when he was promoted to the Manager of Health and Safety. He is responsible for overseeing the Health and Safety for Unit Drilling Company’s facilities and rig fleet. His background includes numerous years of experience in the oil and gas sector from working on the rigs in various capacities to working as a Drillings Fluid Engineer for Baker Hughes from 2008 to 2011. Mr. Womack proudly served in the United States Navy as a Naval Corpsman. He was attached to the 2nd Marine Division and served in Desert Shield and Operation Restoring Hope. He desires to help Unit keep the employees safe through proper safety training and practices as well as creating a positive workplace which supports and empowers the employees.
Mr. Hollie joined Unit Drilling Company in 2003. During his tenure, he has held various positions throughout the organization including assisting with the personnel department, procurement duties, and conducting data analytics. In 2021, he was promoted to Manager, Operational Analytics. His business knowledge has afforded him great insight in interpreting, analyzing, and presenting information to management to help guide critical business decisions. Mr. Hollie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems. He received his Master of Science in Business Analytics and Data Science at Oklahoma State University.
Jacob Bruster – Marketing Representative
Mr. Bruster is a third-generation employee at Unit Drilling Company, following his father and grandfather in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Bruster started his career as a roughneck in 2005 while in college. After college, he worked as a History teacher and coach before returning to the oil and gas industry in 2011. At Unit Drilling, he developed the BOSS Rig Training Curriculum and created a strong training program. He was promoted to Training Manager in 2014 and managed over 30,000 training sessions until 2021 while earning a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Industrial Safety.
In 2021, he transitioned to a Marketing Representative role. He has been actively involved in industry organizations, serving as Chairman of the IADC Permian Basin Chapter from 2022 to 2024 and as Chairman of the IADC OK/TX Panhandle Chapter in 2024. He is also a member of the OERB Education Committee and volunteers with the SOER Committee.
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Jarrett Hollie – Manager, Operational Analytics
Mr. Hollie joined Unit Drilling Company in 2003. During his tenure, he has held various positions throughout the organization including assisting with the personnel department, procurement duties, and conducting data analytics. In 2021, he was promoted to Manager, Operational Analytics. His business knowledge has afforded him great insight in interpreting, analyzing, and presenting information to management to help guide critical business decisions. Mr. Hollie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems. He received his Master of Science in Business Analytics and Data Science at Oklahoma State University.
Jacob Bruster – Marketing Representative
Mr. Bruster is a third-generation employee at Unit Drilling Company, following his father and grandfather in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Bruster started his career as a roughneck in 2005 while in college. After college, he worked as a History teacher and coach before returning to the oil and gas industry in 2011. At Unit Drilling, he developed the BOSS Rig Training Curriculum and created a strong training program. He was promoted to Training Manager in 2014 and managed over 30,000 training sessions until 2021 while earning a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Industrial Safety.
In 2021, he transitioned to a Marketing Representative role. He has been actively involved in industry organizations, serving as Chairman of the IADC Permian Basin Chapter from 2022 to 2024 and as Chairman of the IADC OK/TX Panhandle Chapter in 2024. He is also a member of the OERB Education Committee and volunteers with the SOER Committee.
Health and Safety
We believe that what a strong group of people can accomplish together is much larger, far greater, and will exceed what an individual can achieve alone. Every employee plays an integral part in our organization’s success. It is important to emphasize our commitment to provide a safe, secure, and welcoming workplace.
Statement of Excellence
- Lead with Integrity and Professionalism
- Culture of Continuous Improvement
- Always Strive for Excellence
- Safety through Efficiency
#ONEUNIT
Community Engagement
Food and Clothing Drive
- In conjunction with the Martin County Sherriff’s Department, the Stanton Police Department, Martin County Fire Department, and Stanton/Martin County Offices, Unit employees donated food, personal hygiene products, and clothing for individuals in need in the Martin County area.
Oklahoma State Capitol
- Working with State Representatives, Lt. Governor’s Chief of Staff, and other oil and gas companies to provide training and rig/facility tours to government staff and politicians to increase their knowledge of the industry.
Oklahoma Buddy Walk Association
- Participation 18 years and counting
- Down syndrome fundraiser event in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Energy Resources Board Partnership
- 2.5 years and running
- Provided rig tours for over 120 educators and OERB staff.
- Unit employee representation within the OERB by being on their Education Committee.
- Attendance at workshops that offer our services, as subject matters experts, to teachers during training events.
- Participate in their Petro Pro program.
- Speak at career day events in Oklahoma public schools.
Science Museum of Oklahoma
- Took museum personnel who were designing an energy production exhibit to an active rig location.
- Provided feedback on their energy exhibit write-ups.
- Connected the museum with other industry personnel and companies. Those companies then also provided information and, in some cases, gave donations to the exhibit and the museum.
Contact
Unit Drilling Company
7101 SW 29th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73179
PH: 405-745-4948
FAX: 405-745-2136
Sales & Marketing
salesandmarketing@unitdrilling.com