Reinventing well construction through dual gradient
Drilling and next-generation training.
Ultradeep energy is an innovation-driven company specializing in Ultradeep drilling, training & academy, and engineering studies & advisory. We develop and implement dual gradient drilling (DGD) technologies that unlock ultradeep gas reserves, enable geothermal anywhere, and extend horizontal reach wells.
Beyond technology, we provide specialized training programs in MPD, DGD, and advanced well construction through Ultradeep academy, preparing the next generation of drilling engineers. Our engineering studies & advisory services support operators with feasibility assessments, well design optimization, operational supervision, and post-well analysis to ensure safer, faster, and lower-carbon drilling projects worldwide.
Our Mission
To unlock the world’s most challenging energy resources — from ultradeep gas reserves to high-heat geothermal wells — by redefining well construction with safer, more efficient, and sustainable solutions.
Our Vision
A future where Dual Gradient Drilling is the global standard for well construction, enabling affordable energy, resilient infrastructure, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Our Values
At Ultradeep energy, we are guided by safety, innovation, and sustainability. We are committed to zero harm, knowledge sharing, and delivering solutions that redefine well construction for a lower-carbon future.
Founded in 2020 by industry veterans and innovators — Lewis J. Dutel, Luc de Boer, Daniel Bour and Eric van Oort — Ultradeep energy brings together a combined experience of more than 200 years in offshore and deepwater drilling. With headquarters in Houston, Texas, and projects spanning from the Gulf of Mexico to the Middle East, Ultradeep is at the forefront of solving global drilling challenges.
Today, we continue to build on this heritage of resilience and innovation. Our Dual Gradient Drilling (DGD) technologies are evolving continuously, each iteration enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in both offshore and onshore drilling.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — from unlocking ultradeep gas reserves to enabling Geothermal Anywhere. Our mission is to ensure that operators around the world can access safer, faster, and lower-carbon well construction solutions, no matter how complex the environment.
Lewis J. Dutel is a Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ultradeep Energy Company, leading the company’s strategy and execution to deliver innovative well design solutions.
He brings 30 years of global experience in scaling, commercializing, and deploying oil and gas technologies. Prior to founding Ultradeep Energy, Mr. Dutel served as a Senior Drilling Engineer in Shell’s Deepwater Drilling Mechanics & Technologies group.
There, he led the replication and deployment of advanced drilling and well-construction technologies, successfully taking concepts through regulatory approvals to deepwater field deployment.
Luc is the Chief Technology Officer of Ultradeep Energy, leading technology development, engineering design, and field implementation of advanced drilling systems.
With over 40 years of experience in drilling engineering and operations — including more than 20 years in deepwater and ultra-deepwater projects — he has worked with major and independent E&P companies worldwide. Holding an M.A. in Mechanical Engineering from the Netherlands, Luc has extensive expertise in well design, HPHT and MPD operations, and abandonment procedures. He has planned and supervised complex wells on land and offshore, solving technical challenges related to pressure control, rig efficiency, and equipment reliability.
Luc’s global experience spans the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Mediterranean, West Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where he has led multidisciplinary teams to safely and efficiently deliver projects under demanding conditions. Passionate about innovation and safety, he continues to drive well construction excellence through collaboration and advanced engineering.
Eric is the Chief Scientific Officer of Ultradeep Energy and a Professor and Richard B. Curran Chair in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, where he has taught since 2012 after a 20-year career with Shell.
He has coauthored more than 250 technical papers (including 150+ SPE papers), holds 20 patents, and is widely recognized for his contributions to drilling and well construction. Eric is a former SPE Distinguished Lecturer, SPE Distinguished Member, recipient of the 2017 SPE International Drilling Engineering Award, and the 2025 Lockheed Martin Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching.
In addition to his role at Ultradeep, Eric directs the RAPID industry consortium at UT Austin, cofounded SPYPR Automation and EVO Energy Consulting, and authored the textbook Managed Pressure Drilling: Fundamentals, Methods, and Applications. With a PhD in chemical physics from the University of Amsterdam, he is a frequent organizer, chairman, and speaker at SPE conferences and workshops, ensuring that Ultradeep’s innovations remain grounded in cutting-edge science and industry practice.
Daniel is the Chief Operating Officer of Ultradeep Energy, overseeing day-to-day operations, project execution, and organizational efficiency.
He brings more than 25 years of experience in well cementing and drilling technology, having spent much of his career at Halliburton before working with AltaRock Energy, Geodynamics LTD, and Blade Energy Partners.
In 2017, he founded Bour Consulting, providing technical advisory and R&D support for multiple Super Hot Rock geothermal projects across the globe. Daniel is recognized as a Subject Matter Expert in well cementing, has co-authored more than 25 technical papers, and holds over 21 patents related to well construction and cementing technology. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Daniel combines strong technical knowledge with strategic leadership, ensuring Ultradeep projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest industry standards.
Radmir is the Chief Commercial Officer of Ultradeep Energy, responsible for business development, corporate strategy, and global partnerships.
He combines more than 15 years of international engineering and managerial experience in well construction with strong commercial and leadership expertise. Throughout his career, Radmir has successfully led high-complexity drilling projects — including HTHP, deepwater, Arctic, and exploratory wells — while driving cost optimization, operational efficiency, and stakeholder alignment across Latin America, Europe, and the CIS. Beyond technical execution, he has been actively involved in investment attraction, strategic partnerships, and company mergers and acquisitions, helping organizations scale and enter new markets.
Radmir is the author of over 20 peer-reviewed publications, Scopus-indexed articles, and patents in the oil and gas sector. At Ultradeep, he leads the company’s commercial growth and global expansion, ensuring that its innovative technologies reach operators and investors worldwide.
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