The expertise behind our success

From front-end well planning to complex downhole steering, our people provide the operational maturity and rigorous engineering standards that protect your project timelines.
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Our Team

Grease on the Blueprints. Passion in the Field.

A premier drilling operation is only as good as the team on the tools and the engineers designing the trajectories.

At Lucas, our people are our ultimate competitive advantage.

We bridge the gap between complex engineering theory and hard-working field execution because our leadership, engineering teams, and rig crews work hand-in-hand.

From the Bowen Basin to our corporate offices, the Lucas team is defined by a shared passion for solving the toughest subsurface challenges safely, efficiently, and collaboratively.

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Our Team & Culture

Built on Collaboration, Driven by Integrity

The culture at Lucas is built on mutual respect, open communication, and absolute accountability.
We believe that the best solutions are born when diverse technical strengths are encouraged, supported, and brought to the table together.
A premier drilling operation is only as good as the team on the tools and the engineers designing the trajectories.

  • A Grounded Leadership Team
    Look closely at our project managers, operations supervisors, and executive team, and you will find real-world field experience.
    We don't manage from a distance; our leaders understand the day-to-day realities of rig operations intimately.
  • Seamless Cross-Discipline Teamwork
    We intentionally break down the traditional industry silos between the engineering office and the rig floor.
    Our drillers work directly alongside rig-based engineering specialists, fostering a unified team environment focused entirely on safe project deliverables.
  • A Culture of Care and Respect
    We take immense pride in looking after our people and the environments we operate within.
    We actively value individual strengths, listen honestly to feedback, and ensure everyone gets a fair go.
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Key Personnel

Leadership with Practical Know-How

Our executive and operational management teams combine decades of global Tier 1 industry experience with a deep understanding of Lucas’s unique capabilities and market positioning.

Greg was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Australian Drilling Operations in January 2024, before stepping into the role of Group CEO and Managing Director in October 2024.

During his extensive tenure with Lucas, he has held key leadership positions across the organisation, including Head of Technical and Engineering Services and Head of Directional Drilling Operations.

Greg initially joined Lucas in 2003, later expanding his expertise through diverse operational and consulting roles across the international oil and gas sector before returning to the business in 2012.

He holds a Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering from the University of New South Wales, alongside a Master of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Queensland.

Greg Runge

Group CEO and Managing Director

Daniel was appointed Chief Operating Officer in January 2024, a position reflecting his deep operational intelligence, exceptional performance record, and proven field leadership.

With more than 35 years of experience across the mining and underground construction sectors, Daniel joined Lucas in 2001 as a foundational member of the modern drilling team.

Over the past 23 years, he has driven execution across every core drilling discipline, including Oil & Gas, Surface-to-Inseam (SIS), Exploration, In-Seam (UIS), and large-diameter service bores.

His multi-disciplinary expertise further extends into executive management roles across both Business Development and Plant divisions.

Daniel Sweeting

Chief Operating Officer

Marcin serves as Commercial Officer and Company Secretary, working closely with the Board and the CEO to drive corporate strategy, governance, and financial performance.

Demonstrating his adaptable leadership within the group, he also served as Interim CEO in late 2023 during the company's executive transition period.

Marcin has been with Lucas for over a decade, bringing 16 years of senior finance and governance experience within listed companies across the mining, investment, and facilities management sectors.

He began his career with Deloitte and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Flinders University, an Executive MBA from the University of New South Wales, and is a Chartered Accountant and Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Marcin Swierkowski

Commercial Officer and Company Secretary

David was appointed Chief Financial Officer in September 2020, having built an exhaustive understanding of the company's commercial drivers since joining Lucas in 2010.

Over his career, he has developed a solid track record of financial stewardship through various senior financial and commercial roles within the organisation.

David brings 17 years of extensive experience spanning public practice, corporate commerce, and restructuring across both Australian and UK markets.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, his corporate background includes financial leadership roles with Tier 1 organisations such as Shell, Virgin Australia, Yahoo, EDF Energy, MFI, and Talbot Hughes McKillop.

David Ekster

Chief Financial Officer

Mark leads the company’s overarching growth strategy, strategic client engagement, and major project pursuits.

He brings more than 25 years of business development experience gained directly within the engineering, mining, and specialised drilling sectors.

Prior to joining the business in 2024, Mark worked alongside Lucas as an industry partner for more than a decade, giving him an intimate understanding of the company’s capabilities, culture, and market positioning.

He successfully combines a practical trade background with sophisticated commercial expertise, allowing him to position Lucas for highly complex, high-value asset opportunities.

Mark van der Westen

General Manager – Business Development

Andy joined Lucas in July 2020 and serves as General Manager of the Fleet and Equipment department, ensuring mechanical readiness and project uptime across all operations.

He brings an extensive 35-year background in the global oil and gas industry, beginning his career as an engineer supporting North Sea drilling operations.

Andy's deep mechanical expertise includes project engineering and the project management of offshore drilling rig construction in Singapore, as well as regional operational management for major South East Asian offshore campaigns.

Operating in Australia since 2007, he held senior management roles at Easternwell Group and SWMS prior to joining Lucas.

Andy McCormack

General Manager - Fleet & Equipment

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Working at Lucas

Pride in the Work. Safety in the Execution.

Working at Lucas means being part of an industry leader that tackles the complex, high-value projects other outfits turn down.
We provide a dynamic, high-performance workplace where your skills are sharpened and your safety is fiercely protected.

  • True Stop-Work Authority
    We don’t just talk about safety; we embed it into our daily habits. Every single employee is fully empowered and legally backed to stop the job instantly if safety controls are not completely in place or understood.
  • Continuous Development & Competency
    We treat our people as long-term investments. Through structured training programmes, verified competency pathways, and exposure to cutting-edge drilling technologies, we ensure you achieve your full potential.
  • Uncompromising Professional Pride
    Our crews routinely deliver levels of accuracy and recovery that set industry benchmarks. When you wear the Lucas uniform, you are representing the highest standard of technical drilling execution in Australia.
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Careers

Build Your Future with an Industry Leader

We are always looking for passionate, safety-focused individuals to join our ranks—whether you are an experienced directional steerer, a specialized rig operator, a design engineer, or an entry-level hand looking to build a lifelong career.

At Lucas, you will find a supportive team, excellent career development opportunities, and a workplace that rewards hard work and integrity.

Current Opportunities

We regularly recruit across a variety of operational and professional fields:

  • Rig Operations: Drillers, Assistant Drillers, and Leasehands.
  • Technical & Steering: Specialised Directional Steerers, MWD Operators, and Well-Planning Engineers.
  • Maintenance & Plant: Heavy Diesel Mechanics, Fitters, and Fleet Technicians.
  • HSEQ & Support: Site Safety Advisors, Environmental Coordinators, and Project Administrators.

Join a Team Built on Technical Excellence.

Whether you are a Tier 1 operator looking for a reliable project partner or a skilled professional ready to take the next step in your career, Lucas is ready to connect.