Exploration
Discovering tomorrow's reserves
Dr. GREG ROCK, Exploration Manager, Middle East
Greg Rock, who joined the company in 2005 after working for Centrica in the Southern North Sea for three years, feels the Exploration Group is the most exciting part of the organisation because "the work I do can have a direct and significant impact on the growth of the Company".
Receiving his PhD in Geology from Newcastle University, Greg started with Perenco as a Geologist in the exploration group. This part of his career directly utilised his previous experience and skills, and the Company recognised Greg's potential and promoted him through the Exploration group.
Perenco has two themes to the Exploration strategy: the first based on accessing transformational, high-value growth opportunities, and the second seeking to optimise Perenco-owned infrastructure by targeting near-field exploration opportunities. This is undertaken by developing a deep understanding of the basins, hydrocarbon systems and plays that underpin the search for exploration prospects. "I have been very fortunate to have been the principal Geologist in describing some of the most important hydrocarbon systems that the company works in; firstly in Gabon and most recently in South East Turkey and the Kurdish Region of Northern Iraq".
Greg has been instrumental in developing this understanding and building an extensive acreage base and portfolio in Turkey and Northern Iraq. "I was enormously surprised and pleased to be selected to manage the exploration programme in the Middle East through what will be a very exciting period". The next two years will see Perenco's drilling activity significantly increase with six exploration wells programmed for 2010 in this region.
"There will be a number of challenges over the coming year. We will need to be in a position to support this significant increase in activity, and most importantly be in a position to respond and reposition the Company as results come in and our understanding increases" enthuses Greg. "This will require integrating results into our description of the basin, hydrocarbons systems and plays, while working with the operations team and the Subsidiary to ensure the programme is safe and efficient".
