Bill Ibbitson has amassed over four decades of diverse experience in the oil and gas industry, spanning roles from Gas Plant Engineer at Chevron Standard Ltd. to his current position as a consultant based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His extensive career includes leadership positions such as Vice President of Production and Operations at Pursuit Resources Corp. and General Manager Latin America & Chief Operating Officer at Rio Alto Resources International Inc.
Arturo Vilas possesses an extensive and diverse background in investment banking and executive roles within the Oil & Gas industry, particularly in Latin America. With a successful track record spanning over US$12 billion in transactions, he has demonstrated proficiency in originating and executing various financial endeavors, including project and capital markets financings, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. His expertise encompasses corporate and project finance and capital markets.
Easton Wren has had a substantial career spanning over 50 years in the oil and gas industry, gaining considerable expertise in geophysics and exploration. His extensive industry management experience, coupled with his role as a session professor at Mount Royal University. He began as a geologist / geophysicist in Libya, evolved into leadership roles in major oil companies like Amoco Canada and PanCanadian Petroleum, culminating in founding Petrel Consultants Ltd.
Bob Fialka is a seasoned Petroleum Engineer with an illustrious 38-year career in the Oil & Gas industry. His expertise spans technology application, business development, and executive management. He has a strong record of leveraging innovative recovery and processing technologies to enhance asset value, particularly in heavy oil and natural gas development. Bob has achieved drilling Canada's first conventional horizontal oil wells and shallow gas horizontal wells.
Barry Blacklock has an illustrious career spanning 44 years in the international oil and gas sector, where he has acquired recognition and understanding vital for today's ever-changing business landscape. His extensive experience, including over three decades of focus on Latin America and founding and co-founding companies in the oil and gas domain, equips him with a unique perspective and a rich network of personal and business contacts across the region.
Barry's deep cultural understanding of Latin America, cultivated through his residency in Venezuela and continuous presence in the region, coupled with his linguistic versatility in English and Spanish, positions him as a highly effective bridge-builder and facilitator for international collaborations. His roles have spanned various aspects of the industry, from sales and marketing to business development, showcasing a versatile and impactful professional trajectory. His journey is marked by adeptly maneuvering through economic fluctuations, political transitions, and recent global challenges such as the pandemic. With a profound commitment to leveraging his expertise for the greater good, Barry aims to facilitate Canadian companies in exporting green, clean, and renewable energy technologies to Latin America, thus contributing significantly to the global transition to net zero emissions. Barry's enthusiasm for potential collaborations in the renewable energy sector reflects his eagerness to make a substantial impact in addressing global energy challenges. With a keen eye on market dynamics and a dedication to fostering partnerships, Barry Blacklock emerges as a formidable force driving innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.
Bill Ibbitson has a notable achievements include increasing production from 1,200 to 10,500 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) in Ecuador and managing field activities for a new block in Yemen, resulting in production averaging 23,000 BOPD. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in various facets of operations, engineering, and management, exemplified by roles such as Manager of Operations at Chauvco Resources Ltd. in Argentina, where he established fully integrated operations departments and managed extensive capital budgets. His tenure includes international assignments in locations like Yemen and Gabon, where he oversaw critical operations including drilling, production optimization, and facility installation. Anchored by a BSc. In Chemical Engineering (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta and a General Management Certificate P.E.G.G., his career trajectory underscores his adaptability, leadership, and contributions to the oil and gas industry across different regions and operational environments.
Arturo Vilas expertise encompasses structured transactions executed across international financial markets, with notable experience in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Asia, and several Latin American. He has held pivotal roles in organizations such as Altacorp Capital, Macquarie Bank, and Waterous & Co./Scotia Bank, where he led deal negotiation efforts and established himself as a trusted advisor with access to key decision-makers in the energy business and financial communities. Beyond his professional endeavors, he has held significant board positions, including membership in the Board of Directors for Interoil ASA, an Oslo Bors listed E&P company, and participation in the Executive Committee of Tristone Capital. His educational background includes a Business Administration Degree from the Universidad Católica Argentina, complemented by professional training programs and courses from prestigious institutions like Harvard and The Chase Manhattan Bank. Fluent in multiple languages and having lived in various countries, his multicultural exposure adds depth this international business acumen, which he has shared through speaking engagements at seminars, conferences, and workshops on topics ranging from Energy M&A to Latin American Energy Integration.
Dr. Wren's expert witness engagements in high-profile cases, such as those involving Shell Canada and Nexen Inc., underscore his deep understanding of seismic data's significance and its implications for critical decisions in exploration and drilling operations. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Wren's commitment to industry development and mentorship is evident through his role as Chairman of Higher Landing Inc., where he facilitated career transitions for professionals impacted by industry downturns. His extensive global engagement, including working, teaching and consulting in over 23 countries, underscores his dedication to knowledge dissemination and capacity building on a global scale. His legacy is defined by his tireless pursuit of excellence in geophysics, his adeptness in navigating complex industry dynamics, and his unwavering commitment to shaping the future of the field through education and mentorship.
His leadership roles at companies like Alberta Energy Company, Koch Exploration, and Koch Oil Sands underscore his significant contributions to the industry. Bob's strategic vision and technical acumen have led to successful projects, such as the development of heavy oil fields using innovative techniques like Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand (CHOPS) and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD). In 2020, Bob co-founded Viridis Systems Inc., aiming to revolutionize heavy oil processing towards near-emissionless methods, primarily targeting asphalt binder production. Serving as Co-CEO, Bob spearheads Viridis' endeavors in Canada and internationally, focusing on business development and multi-stakeholder projects. His commitment to industry advancement is evident through his active involvement in professional groups like the Oil Sand Executives Meeting Group (OSEMG), where he has served as Chairman since 2012. With a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta, Bob continues to drive innovation and sustainability in the Oil & Gas sector, leaving an indelible mark on the industry landscape.