Company Leadership

Empowering Vision. Leading with Purpose.

Meet the Visionaries Driving SABA Forward

At the core of SABA Drilling’s success is a leadership team driven by clarity of vision, technical depth, and an unwavering commitment to results. Our leaders are not only industry veterans but also forward-thinking strategists who believe in empowering people, embracing innovation, and pushing boundaries.

From setting bold objectives to delivering operational excellence, our executive team is dedicated to aligning business performance with global energy demands sustainably, responsibly, and efficiently.

Each decision we make reflects our deep-rooted values:

✔ Integrity in leadership
✔ Accountability in action
✔ Collaboration in growth
✔ Innovation in execution

Together, we are building not just a company but a lasting legacy in the energy sector.

Founder & chairman

Dr. Richard McDouglas

Dr. McDouglas is a globally respected figure in offshore engineering and deep-sea robotics. With over 52 years of experience in the energy sector, he has led groundbreaking R&D in subsea inspection systems and wellhead integrity management. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation and ethics have shaped the technological philosophy and corporate values of SABA Drilling. Under his guidance, SABA has emerged as a trusted name in global drilling operations—recognized for reliability, safety, and future ready innovation.

ceo and member of the board

Jacob Amani

With a strategic mindset and global perspective, Mr. Amani brings over 20 years of executive leadership across the energy value chain. He has a proven track record in leading international partnerships, driving capital expansion projects, and navigating complex investor relations with clarity and resilience. His dedication to operational excellence and results-driven growth has elevated SABA’s footprint across multiple continents. Mr. Amani continues to inspire teams and stakeholders with a leadership style rooted in transparency, foresight, and determination.

executive vice president and Memeber of the board

Dr. Christina McDouglas

An expert in legal compliance and operational risk, Ms. McDouglas ensures regulatory excellence across all SABA’s international operations. She leads our ESG initiatives, implements strategic diversity programs in collaboration with global partners, and oversees policy frameworks to ensure sustainable growth. With a deep understanding of finance, risk mitigation, and ethics, she plays a critical role in aligning SABA’s core strategies with responsible governance and long-term impact in the global marketplace.

executive vice president and member of the board

Seyed Vesal Babaheidari

Founder of the SABA Drilling Innovation Department, Mr. Babaheidari is a highly skilled computer systems engineer with deep expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity. He is the visionary mind behind the SmartLens™, VisionHub™, and Tracelink™ technologies advanced hardware and AI communication modules designed to bring intelligence to industrial infrastructure. With numerous patents and international citations to his name, Mr. Babaheidari’s mission continues to drive the company’s evolution into a global technology leader within the oil & gas sector. His dedication to innovation, security, and digital transformation is unmatched in the industry.

United by Excellence Driven by Expertise

At SABA Drilling, our strength lies in our people. Each member of our leadership team brings years of industry experience, global perspective, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Together, we form a diverse and dynamic force that drives innovation, ensures operational efficiency, and builds lasting partnerships across the oil and gas sector.