Oklahoma business briefs, Jan. 19

A former Devon Energy Corp. executive has been named vice president and chief financial officer of Canada-based Equal Energy Ltd. Scott Smalling, who will start his new job Feb. 1, will remain in Oklahoma City as Equal works to strengthen its presence in Oklahoma. “We are very happy to have recruited Scott as part of our leadership team,” CEO Don Klapko said. “He has a diverse background and extensive experience in many facets of helping lead an independent, public oil and gas company. With Equal's asset base now exclusively in Oklahoma, it is important that we are led by people on the ground in Oklahoma with experience and contacts in the Mid-Continent.” Equal, which is becoming a U.S.-based company, also is searching for senior engineering and exploration executives in Oklahoma. The company's oil and natural gas assets are centered in Oklahoma's Hunton play.