Ward Rikala

Ward Rikala is an experienced professional in the petroleum engineering field, currently serving as the Lead Well Control Instructor at Well Control School since July 2021. Previously, Ward held the position of Well Control Instructor at Wild Well from July 2019 to July 2021. Ward's background includes significant roles as a Senior Production Engineer at Discovery Natural Resources LLC from 2014 to 2019 and as Operations Manager at multiple companies, including Baytex Energy Corp. and St. Mary Land & Exploration Company between 2007 and 2014. Ward began a career in operations management with Abundant Resources and Encore Operating LP, starting in 2004. Ward holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Tech-College of Technology, earned from 1978 to 1982.