Speakers 2014

Speakers

Harold Vinegar headshot

Dr. Harold J. Vinegar – Official Chair of UOG 2014
Chief Scientist, Genie Oil & Gas, IEI, Afek Israel Oil & Gas
Dr. Vinegar was previously Chief Scientist, Physics of Royal Dutch Shell. He is presently the Chief Scientist of Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI), Afek Israel Oil & Gas and Genie Oil & Gas. He holds MA and PHD degrees in physics from Harvard University and a BA in physics from Columbia.

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Harold-Vinegar-e1376907618564

Dr. Vinegar was previously Chief Scientist, Physics of Royal Dutch Shell. He is presently the Chief Scientist of Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI), Afek Israel Oil & Gas and Genie Oil & Gas. He holds MA and PHD degrees in physics from Harvard University and a BA in physics from Columbia. Harold joined Shell's Bellaire Research Centre in Houston, Texas in 1976. During his career at Shell, he had over 50 publications and 290 patents in the fields of shaly sand evaluation, X-ray CT, NMR well logging, microseismic imaging and wireless power and communications for intelligent oil wells.

He was co-inventor of the in situ thermal desorption process for soil remediation and was instrumental in the formation of TerraTherm Environmental Services, an affiliate of Shell Oil Co. created to commercialise the in situ thermal desorption process. Dr. Vinegar has had a career interest spanning over 35 years in applying novel recovery processes to unconventional resources. He is the co-inventor of the in situ conversion and upgrading processes (ICP and IUP) which have been piloted successfully in Colorado oil shale and Alberta oil sands. Harold served as President and VP Technology of the Society of Core Analysts (SCA). He received the Society of Petrophysicists (SPWLA) Distinguished Technical Achievement Award in 1992 and the Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2010.

He was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) in 1999, cited " for contributions to the science and technology of oil exploration and environmental remediation, particularly thermal methods for extracting hydrocarbons from the ground and for applications of NMR methods to well logging." He was inducted into the US national Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2003 and served on the US National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Earth Resources.

Since retiring from Shell in October, 2008, Harold and his family fulfilled a lifelong dream and emigrated to Israel. He is Professor of Petroleum Geosciences at Ben Gurion University of the Negev where his research centres on making Israeli energy independent.


bsmitherman2822medBarry Smitherman
Chairman, Texas Railroad Commission
Barry Smitherman is a fourth generation Texan with vast private and public sector experience. Barry is currently the Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Created in 1891, the RRC no longer regulates railroads, but oversees the oil, natural gas, coal mining, intrastate pipeline, and gas utility distribution industries in Texas.

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Barry Smitherman is a fourth generation Texan with a unique blend of private and public sector experience.

Barry is currently the Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Created in 1891, the RRC no longer regulates railroads, but oversees the oil, natural gas, coal mining, intrastate pipeline, and gas utility distribution industries in Texas. He was appointed to this position in July of 2011, by Governor Rick Perry, and was elected statewide in November of 2012, winning with 74% of the vote. His term ends December 31, 2014. Over the last three years, the RRC has issued more oil and gas drilling permits, than it has in a similar three-year period, since the mid 80s. Texas oil production is about 2 mm bbls/day and gas production is about 21 bcf/day. Barry is also the Chairman of the NARUC Gas Committee, a position he has held since January of 2013.

Prior to the RRC, Barry was the Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, a position to which he was appointed in April of 2004. He was reappointed in September of 2007 and promoted to Chairman in November of 2007. The PUCT oversees the Texas electricity and landline telecommunications industries. The competitive Texas electric market is generally considered one the most dynamic and free market electric models in the world. As Chairman of the PUCT, Barry also sat on the ERCOT Board of Directors, served as Vice President of the Regional State Committee of the Southwest Power Pool and as a two term member of the US DOE Electricity Advisory Committee.

Prior to beginning public service, Barry spent 17 years as either a municipal bond attorney or as a public finance investment banker. He held leadership positions with Lazard, First Boston, JP Morgan, and Bank One, where he was the National head of tax-exempt origination.

Barry graduated with a BBA summa cum laude from Texas A&M University, with a JD from The University of Texas School of Law, and with an MPA from Harvard University’s School of Government where he was the first recipient of the Joel Leff Fellowship in Political Economy.

Barry and his wife of 27 years, Marijane, have four wonderful children and live in Austin, Texas.


Benjamin Thoma GEBenjamin Thoma
Marketing Director, Global Key Accounts, GE Oil & Gas
Benjamin is Marketing Director for Key Accounts at GE Oil & Gas. Prior to that, he was Senior Market Development Leader at GE Energy covering Europe, Russia/CIS, North Africa, Turkey and Israel. He has over a decade of industry experience in automotive, energy and management consulting focusing on new product development, localization, strategy and market development. 

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Benjamin is Marketing Director for Key Accounts at GE Oil & Gas. Prior to that, he was Senior Market Development Leader at GE Energy covering Europe, Russia/CIS, North Africa, Turkey and Israel. He has over a decade of industry experience in automotive, energy and management consulting focusing on new product development, localization, strategy and market development.


Throughout his career, he has lived and worked in multiple European countries, USA and China. Benjamin holds a joint MSc degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of Karlsruhe, ESIEE Paris and University of Southampton, an MBA from CDI in Paris and a PhD in Engineering from National University of Ireland, Galway.

 


Binyamin A. ZomerBinyamin A. Zomer
Israel Country Manager, Noble Energy
Binyamin Zomer has been appointed to Noble Energy Country Manager in Israel on September 2014. Prior to that, he served as Noble Energy’s Director of Corporate Affairs in Israel since January 2010. In that capacity, Bini was responsible for Noble’s government relations, media relations and corporate social responsibility projects. 

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Binyamin Zomer was appointed to Noble Energy Country Manager in Israel in September 2014. Prior to that, he served as Noble Energy's Director of Corporate Affairs in Israel since January 2010. In that capacity, Bini was responsible for Noble's government relations, media relations and corporate social responsibility projects. His responsibilities also include a number of commercial endeavors. In 2014, Bini added the role of Joint Venture Manager to his responsibilities. As JV Manager, Bini is responsible managing the business relationship between the various partnerships that Noble operates off-shore Israel. Prior to joining Noble, Bini served as Deputy Director for Policy and Government Affairs at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) where he focused on energy and homeland security issues. Before joining AIPAC, Bini was Director of Federal Government Relations at Accenture LLP and before that served as Counsel to Don Nickles, US Senator from Oklahoma, after practicing law in Chicago. Bini has a Law degree from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas. Bini and his wife, Heather, made Aliyah in 2010 and reside in Modi’in with their four daughters.


MatthiasMeisterMatthias Meister
SPE Regional Director for South, Central and East Europe & Product Development Manager, Baker Hughes
Matthias is a product development manager for logging-while-drilling tools at Baker Hughes’ Celle Technology Center, Germany. He holds several patents on these tools and drill bit technologies, presenting papers about these at international conferences. Matthias has had various roles in the SPE German Section, including chairman. Since Oct 2014 Matthias is SPE Regional Director for South, Central and East Europe. 

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Matthias Meister is a product development manager for logging-while-drilling tools at Baker Hughes’ Celle Technology Center in Germany. He graduated with a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hannover, Germany and began his career as a mechanical engineer working on measurement-while-drilling tools in the early 1980s. After acting as an engineering manager for diamond drill bit design, Matthias led the development of formation testing and sampling-while-drilling tools. Later he became the development manager of multiple logging-while-drilling tools including magnetic resonance, acoustic, seismic, and reaming-on-demand. Matthias holds several patents on logging-while-drilling and drill bit technologies and has presented papers about these at various international workshops and conferences. As a result of this he became since 2000 active in the German Section of SPE holding various positions including chairman. Since Oct 2014 he became SPE Regional Director for South, Central and East Europe.


Caspar VeldkampHis Excellency Caspar Veldkamp
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Caspar Veldkamp is the ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel since August 2011. Before becoming ambassador, he worked in high-level positions at the ministry of foreign affairs of the Netherlands in The Hague, notably on Eastern and Southeastern European affairs and regarding the UN and international financial institutions. 

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Caspar Veldkamp is the ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel since August 2011. Before becoming ambassador, he worked in high-level positions at the ministry of foreign affairs of the Netherlands in The Hague, notably on Eastern and Southeastern European affairs and regarding the UN and international financial institutions. He represented his country in various meetings of such institutions as the IMF and World Bank, and functioned as a temporary alternate governor for the EBRD, IDB and Asian Development Bank. Previously, he was political counselor at the embassy of the Netherlands in Washington DC  (2002-2006), and private secretary of the Dutch minister for European Affairs (1998-2002). He has experienced the inner workings of the European Union (EU) as a Dutch delegation member to several dozens of EU ministerial and European Council summit meetings. He also worked in various lower-level diplomatic positions in The Hague and at the embassy of his country in Warsaw, Poland (1995-1998). Before joining the foreign service of his country, he worked in the staff of US senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and served as a reserve officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy. Veldkamp has studied business economics and public administration in the Netherlands and the US and did executive programs at Harvard University (US) and INSEAD (France). Apart from his professional life, he has a passion for aviation. He has practiced skydiving, hang gliding and paragliding and has published articles on aviation history. Moreover, he is interested in politics. He is married to Anne, a lawyer of French nationality; they have four teenage children.


Mehmet OgutcuMehmet Ogutcu
Chairman, Global Resources Partnership
Board Member, Genel Energy plc.
Former Global Director, BG Group
Mehmet serves as chairman of Global Resources Partnership, an independent non-executive director on the boards of Genel Energy plc and Yasar Group of Companies, and a special envoy for The Energy Charter in Brussels for MENA and Eurasia regions. He also leads the recently created Bosphorus Energy Club, an exclusive gathering of the senior executives and leaders in finance, energy and politics across Turkey, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa. 

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Mehmet has more than 30 years of successful track-record in development, investment, government, diplomacy, international organisations, and energy business.

Currently based in London, Mehmet serves as chairman of Global Resources Partnership, an independent non-executive director on the boards of Genel Energy plc and Yasar Group of Companies, and a special envoy for The Energy Charter in Brussels for MENA and Eurasia regions. He also leads the recently created Bosphorus Energy Club, an exclusive gathering of the senior executives and leaders in finance, energy and politics across Turkey, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa.

He provides strategic advice to several major natural resources and finance corporations on business growth, investment deals, fund-raising, strategic stakeholder alignment, and risk mitigation.

In his early career, Mehmet worked as deputy inspector on the board of Is Bankasi, Turkey’s largest private bank, and undertook projects as NATO Research Fellow and EU’s Jean Monnet Fellow. He was a prominent diplomat, having worked on critical “economic diplomacy” dossiers in Ankara, Beijing, Brussels and Paris, and later as an advisor to the late Turkish Prime Minister, Turgut Ozal.

After leaving the foreign services in 1994, Mehmet joined as a senior staffer at the International Energy Agency heading Eurasia, Asia-Pacific and Latin America programme and the OECD in Paris as principal administrator managing international investment outreach over 11 years.

Mehmet was for six years (2005-2011) the global director for BG Group Plc. in the UK, managing high-level government engagements and new business development around the world. He also worked as the chairman of the International Advisory Board of Invensys plc until 2014.

He was most recently nominated by the Turkish government for the secretary-general position of the world’s largest energy organisation, International Energy Forum, based in Riyadh, and became one of the top two contenders. Mehmet is a graduate of Turkey’s “Mulkiye”, a symbol of the Republican meritocracy, similar to the French École nationale d’administration, London School of Economics (MSc) and College d’Europe (MA), Bruges.

He is an occasional lecturer at London School of Economics’ Enterprise Executive Programme, Harvard University, Dundee University, University of Reading and Peking University’s School of Government since 2005.

As part of The London Speakers Bureau he often speaks at key international and regional conferences around the world and writes in newspapers on future trends, development, investment/finance, energy/food/water nexus and geopolitical matters.

Mehmet is fluent in Turkish, English, French and Chinese (conversational).


Michael GardoshDr. Michael Gardosh
Head of Geology and Geophysics Department, Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources
Michael started his career in Oil and Gas in the Israel National Oil Company (INOC); where he was trained and then involved in various exploration and drilling projects in the Dead Sea Basin and other parts of Israel, since 1989. He later moved to the Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) and worked as a research scientist, focusing on seismic interpretation and basin studies.

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Dr. Michael Gardosh is the Head of Geology and Geophysics Department in the Natural Resources Administration of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources. He holds BA and MA degrees in Geology from Hebrew University and PHD degree in Geophysics from Tel Aviv University. Michael started his career in Oil and Gas in the Israel National Oil Company (INOC); where he was trained and then involved in various exploration and drilling projects in the Dead Sea Basin and other parts of Israel, since 1989. He later moved to the Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) and worked as a research scientist, focusing on seismic interpretation and basin studies. During his career in the GII he studied extensively the Eastern Mediterranean region and his work on the geology of the Levantin Basin is considered a milestone in the development of hydrocarbon resources offshore Israel.

Dr. Gardosh joined the Ministry of Energy in 2010. He created the G&G Department and developed its capacity to review and regulate exploration activity and to evaluate hydrocarbon resources. At present Dr. Gardosh is leading long-term projects to promote exploration activity offshore and onshore and to construct National Data Repository for Oil and Gas in Israel. Michael is a member of the Israeli Geological Society and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He published many articles and professional reports, and continues working with students and teaching courses in Petroleum Geology and Seismic Interpretation in Tel Aviv University.


Robert RakisonRobert C. Rakison
Partner and Former Co-Chair of Private Equity Industry Team, McGuireWoods LLP
Robert serves on the McGuireWoods Board of partners and is a former co-chair of the firm’s private equity industry team. He concentrates his practice on international company and commercial law, with a special emphasis on cross-border mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. 

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Robert Rakison is a senior partner in the London office of McGuireWoods, a circa 1,000 lawyer US firm with 18 offices in the US and 3 European based offices in London, Brussels and a consulting office in Bucharest.  Additionally the firm has formal co-operations with law firms in Jeddah, Paris and Tel Aviv.  Through its memberships of Legal Network International and Lex Mundi, the firm is able to access legal advice from over 120 countries worldwide.  In the year to date legal matters and transactions undertaken by the firm have involved 76 jurisdictions.  Lawyers and staff speak 43 languages.

Robert Rakison is a corporate lawyer, primarily specialising in M&A transactions. Within the firm he is: a member of its Board of Partners; former co-chair of the Private Equity Industry Team; co-chair of the Israel Interest Group; member of the Energy Industry Team; and a member of the Middle East and North Africa Interest Group.  In a career spanning 40 years, Robert has been involved in transactions involving over 100 different countries, many of them in the oil and gas and energy sectors.  The last major oil and gas transaction handled by Robert was the sale of a circa 3.5% interest in the Ghanaian Jubilee oil field by EO Group to Tullow Oil for $305M.

 


Peter Hoejlund HviidPeter Hoejlund Hviid
International Sales Executive, Oil and Gas, SystemTeknik A/S (DK)
Peter Hoejlund Hviid is heading the oil and gas activities for SystemTeknik A/S. System Teknik A/S is a globally working whole contractor of electrical control systems for industrial installations. Prior to that, he worked in other senior roles within the fields of project management and technology innovation and invention in global companies such as Hamworthy and Ergonomic Solutions.  

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Peter Højlund Hviid is heading the oil and gas activities for SystemTeknik A/S. System Teknik A/S is a globally working whole contractor of electrical control systems for industrial installations. Prior to that, he worked in other senior roles within the fields of project management and technology innovation and invention in global companies such as Hamworthy and Ergonomic Solutions. Peter has over a decade of industry experience in oil and gas, energy and energy management and energy saving focusing on new product development, connecting technology with strategy to fit emerging and eminent market developments.

During his career, he has been appointed strategic tasks of developing products entirely new to the market, providing the oil and gas industry with innovative solutions to gain more profit by increasing rates of return and increasing oil field efficiency in a cost efficient manner. Peter holds a MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering and a B.Sc. in Business Administration from Aalborg University.


Constantin BlyuzConstantin Blyuz
Deputy Director of the Natural Gas Authority, Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water
Mr. Blyuz is responsible for Economic and Strategic issues such as preparation of several chapters in the Long Term Policy Committee Report, coordination of the LNG import project, issuing short and long-term demand for natural gas, setting of transmission tariffs and rules, regulation of the developing distribution network. 

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Born 1974, MBA in Business Management and BA in Economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Constantine entered the Israeli Public Sector in 2000 and since 2010 serves as the Deputy Director of the Natural Gas Authority in the Ministry of Energy and Water. As a part of his current position, Mr. Blyuz is responsible for Economic and Strategic issues such as preparation of several chapters in the Long Term Policy Committee Report, coordination of the LNG import project, issuing short and long-term demand for natural gas, setting of transmission tariffs and rules, regulation of the developing distribution network.
In addition, Mr. Blyuz is an energy courses lecturer in several Israeli institutions, such as Technion Haifa, Netanya Academic College, the Institute of Energy and Environment in Tel Aviv etc.
He is also involved in various volunteering activities, including promotion of chamber music ensembles and economics & history teaching in peripheral schools.


Geoffrey Ben-NathanGeoffrey Ben-Nathan
Middle East Expert, Sky News and Press TV
G.M. Ben-Nathan, born London 1944, has made appearances on UK-based Muslim media defending the Jewish state. Geoffrey is a Middle East expert, and has frequently appeared on major news channels, such as Sky News and Iranian news channel Press TV’s Middle East Today, discussing situations in Israel and Syria. Geoffrey will be moderating the Israel Oil & Gas Security and Strategy Panel at UOG 2014.


Ariel EzrahiAriel Ezrahi
Infrastructure (Energy) Adviser, Office of the Quartet Representative Tony Blair
Ariel is the Energy Adviser at the Office of the Quartet Representative Tony Blair. Previously, Ariel worked on energy and corporate transactions in London for major international law firms where he advised on a wide range of transactions in the corporate, oil & gas, renewable energy and power generation realm with an emphasis on transactions in the Arab world. Most recently, Ariel has worked on energy  and corporate transactions for one of the leading law firms in Israel. 

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Ariel is the Energy Adviser at the Office of the Quartet Representative Tony Blair. Previously, Ariel worked on energy and corporate transactions in London for major international law firms where he advised on a wide range of transactions in the corporate, oil & gas, renewable energy and power generation realm with an emphasis on transactions in the Arab world. Most recently, Ariel has worked on energy  and corporate transactions for one of the leading law firms in Israel (focusing on advice in relation to the Israeli offshore gas fields). Ariel has published on regional legal, business and political matters and has given lectures at major conferences on such matters. Ariel holds an M.Phil. in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Oxford (St. Antony’s College), an LL.M. in International Law from Georgetown University, and an LL.B. from the University of Manchester.


Yehuda SabanF0_0244_0000_DELEK-DRILLING(8)
VP of Economic Regulation & FLNG manager, Delek Drilling, Avner Oil
Yehuda Saban is a VP of Economic Regulation and FLNG manager at Delek Drilling LP and Avner Oil Exploration LP,  Israel’s leading Oil & Gas companies. Avner holds an extensive track record of discoveries and development of natural gas assets in the Levantine basin and the entire East Mediterranean area. 

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Yehuda Saban is a VP of Economic Regulation and FLNG manager at Delek Drilling LP and Avner oil exploration LP,  Israel's leading Oil & Gas companies. Avner holds an extensive track record of discoveries and development of natural gas assets in the Levantine basin and the entire East Mediterranean area.

Yehuda has 6 years of experience in various managerial positions at the Israel Finance Ministry. He also took part in various critical committees that have a lot of  influence on Israeli society and economy.

Yehuda has a BA Hons in Economics & Business Management and also holds an MA degree specializing  in Accounting & Financing. Both were gained at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.


Gil ShakiGil Shaki
Senior Director, Energy & Cleantech, Office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy
In recent years, Gil has been responsible at the Office of the Chief Scientist for policy design and implementation aimed at the continuous development of a knowledge-based industry in the Energy and Cleantech sectors, including innovative technologies for oil & gas sector, renewable energies, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, water technologies, reducing GHG emissions, green growth strategy and more. 

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In recent years, Gil has been responsible at the Office of the Chief Scientist for policy design and implementation aimed at the continuous development of a knowledge-based industry in the Energy and Cleantech sectors, including innovative technologies for oil & gas sector, renewable energies, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, water technologies, reducing GHG emissions, green growth strategy and more. Before that represented Israel at OECD's Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP), was involved in designing and launching various new incentive programs, including encouragement of institutional investments in the high-tech sector, incentives for investments in the field of alternative fuels, programs to foster innovation and R&D in traditional industries. Involved as well at cross sector OCS activity to encourage and support technological and commercial cooperation activity with international partners. Before that have been head of the economic and commercial departments at Israel's embassies in New Delhi, Madrid and Lisbon, assisting Israeli companies and service providers to penetrate local markets and forming collaborations with local partners as well as attracting investments to the Israel. Previous to that worked as an economist in the Investment Center of Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor and as an economist in the Logistic and Technology department of the IDF (Israeli Defense Force). Holding Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) and B.A. in Economics and the Studies of the Middle East, both from Bar Ilan University, Israel. Speaking fluently Hebrew, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, with some basic communication skills in other languages.


Kul KarczDr. Zvi (Kul) Karcz
Vice President for Exploration at Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration.
Dr Karcz holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geology from the Hebrew University, and a Ph.D. in Geology & Geophysics from Columbia University. After graduating Dr. Karcz joined ExxonMobil, initially working at the Corporate Strategic Research Division in New Jersey, and later at the Upstream Research Company in Houston, Texas.

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Dr. Zvi (Kul) Karcz is the Vice President for Exploration at Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geology from the Hebrew University, and a Ph.D. in Geology & Geophysics from Columbia University. After graduating Dr. Karcz joined ExxonMobil, initially working at the Corporate Strategic Research Division in New Jersey, and later at the Upstream Research Company in Houston, Texas. He specializes in reservoir quality and performance prediction


uri-aldubiUri Aldubi
Chairman, Association of Oil & Gas Exploration Industries in Israel
Founder and Partner of Halman-Aldubi Energy and a Director at Israel Opportunity Oil & Gas Exploration Ltd. Uri is the Chairman of the Halman-Aldubi Investment Group – one of the top ten privately owned financial institutions in Israel.

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Founder and Partner of Halman-Aldubi Energy and a Director at Israel Opportunity Oil & Gas Exploration Ltd. Uri is the Chairman of the Halman-Aldubi Investment Group - one of the top ten privately owned financial institutions in Israel.

The Company was established in December 1995 and specializes in provision of mid and long term saving products and business services through provident funds, pension funds, investment management for mutual funds and portfolio management products. The Group manages and operates over $4.5 Billion AUM with approximately 350,000 accounts. Mr. Aldubi holds an MBA in Finance, and a BA in Management and Economics from Tel Aviv University.

With years of investments experience in the oil and gas industry, Uri is the Chairman of the Association of Oil and Gas Exploration Industries in Israel. Established in 2010, the Association is comprised of the leading companies active in the Israeli oil and gas industry, specializing in the exploration and production of oil and gas.


Shlomo AlfiaShlomo Alfia
Senior Partner, Oil & Gas Leader, EY Israel
Shlomo Alfia is a Senior Partner at EY Israel. He has 22 years of experience in providing audit, taxation and consulting services to Oil & Gas companies operating in Israel and abroad and assists them in creating their business models in Israel.

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Shlomo Alfia is a Senior Partner at EY Israel. He has 22 years of experience in providing audit, taxation and consulting services to Oil & Gas companies operating in Israel and abroad and assists them in creating their business models in Israel.

He has also accumulated vast experience in the energy field and has provided services to leading companies including: Avner Oil & Gas Exploration, Delek Drilling, Noble Energy, Woodside, Delek Energy Systems, Yam-Tatis Project, Tamar Project, Leviathan Project, ATP, Isramco Negev 2 LP, Modiin Energy LP, AGR, Lapidot, Israel Opportunity and others.

Shlomo is a graduate in Accounting & Economics and holds a BA Cum Laude in Social Sciences from The Open University. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1991.


Robert Amsterdam headshotRobert Amsterdam
Founding Partner, Amsterdam & Partners LLP
Robert Amsterdam has a strong track record in countries facing rule of law challenges, offering a unique multi-disciplinary approach to complex issues. For over thirty years he has represented high-profile clients in commercial, corporate and political cases internationally. He is experienced in managing, litigating and arbitrating disputes. 

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Robert Amsterdam has a strong track record in countries facing rule of law challenges, offering a unique multi-disciplinary approach to complex issues. For over thirty years he has represented high-profile clients in commercial, corporate and political cases internationally. He is experienced in managing, litigating and arbitrating disputes, and through the extensive network he has created he is able to put together “virtual firms” of the best minds in their fields to handle disputes and crises under the best possible representation within the context of both local and international law. Past clients include numerous mining and energy companies operating in emerging markets. In 2003, Robert was retained by Amnesty International-recognized prisoner of conscience Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia’s most prominent oil executive, to defend him against political persecution by the Russian government. In 2008, he joined the defence team for Eligio Cedeño, a businessman and political prisoner in Venezuela who was later successfully released into freedom. Robert serves as counsel to prominent opposition leaders such as Dr. Chee Soon Juan in Singapore. In 2010 he was appointed by the former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra to defend members of the Red Shirt pro-democracy movement and, in 2013, he was retained by the Internet mogul Kim Dotcom. Robert represents former President of Zambia Rupiah Banda and his son Henry, with respect to unlawful harassment and persecution by the new government. In Nigeria, he has represented prominent public figures, having developed an extensive network of political and business leaders that dates back more than three decades. Among other notables, he has acted for the former Executive Director of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as well as the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. In early 2013, Robert won a landmark decision before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal on behalf of a pro-bono client, Dr. Georges Tadonki, whose contract with UNOCHA was not renewed due to political events related to Zimbabwe. As a prolific columnist and blogger, Robert’s writings have been published in the International Herald Tribune, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and theFordham International Law Journal, among other publications. He has delivered keynote speeches to groups such as Chatham House, University College of London, Cato Institute, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and numerous energy, mining, and international investment conferences. Robert has made several television appearances, was nominated to the “Hot 100” by the UK publication The Lawyer, was named “Lawyer of the Week” by the Times in London, and was most recently profiled in the US magazine The American Lawyer. According to the former British Ambassador to Russia, Andrew Wood, “The word that best describes Bob is courage, both moral and actual. He raises questions that are not always welcome, and that is often the proper business of a lawyer.” Robert is a member of the Canadian and International Bar Associations, and is licensed as a Solicitor-Advocate in the United Kingdom. He earned his BA from Carleton University in Ottawa, and studied law at Queen’s University in Ontario.


Ben-Zion BlibergBen-Zion Bliberg
Director, Modiin Energy
Ben-Zion is on the Board of Directors at Modiin Energy. Modiin Energy Limited Partnership was founded in 1992 for oil and gas explorations in Israel. Modiin Energy currently holds a diversified portfolio of 5 offshore licenses for shallow and deepwater, for oil and natural gas targets. The Partnership also has agreements and options to acquire additional rights in other licenses.


Daniel BerkoveDaniel Berkove
Senior Associate, Energy Insight, IHS
Daniel is a specialist in corporate strategy and emerging markets with over 15 years of experience as an advisor and executive to energy companies, national oil companies, and governments worldwide. Mr. Berkove has led major advisory projects assisting governments in the Former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa on national competitiveness and energy policy and is co-chairman of the CERAWeek 2014 Africa Energy Summit. 

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Daniel Berkove is a specialist in corporate strategy and emerging markets with over 15 years of experience as an advisor and executive to energy companies, national oil companies, and governments worldwide. Mr. Berkove has led major advisory projects assisting governments in the Former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa on national competitiveness and energy policy and is co-chairman of the CERAWeek 2014 Africa Energy Summit. Previously, he worked as an oil trader in the Caspian Sea region and as an executive and board member for renewable energy development and technology companies located in the Middle East and Europe. He also directed organizations based in Almaty that promoted US-Kazakhstan business ties and in Dnipropetrovsk that provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He presently serves as a board member of Innovation:Africa. Fluent in Russian and Hebrew, Mr. Berkove holds a BA from the University of Michigan.


Peter BritzePeter Britze
Head of Department, Department of Reservoir Geology, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) 
Chair the EuroGeoSurvey GeoEnergy Expert Group (EGS GEEG)
Peter is Manager of the Source Rock, Core, and Clay Minerals laboratories and responsible for the scientific work and consultancy on conventional and unconventional fossil fuels in Denmark. Recognized as independent scientific advisor for EU DG ENER and DG ENV on conventional and unconventional fossil fuels. 

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Peter is the Head of Department, Department of Reservoir Geology, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). He also Chairs the EuroGeoSurvey GeoEnergy Expert Group (EGS GEEG). Manager of the Source Rock, Core, and Clay Minerals laboratories. Responsible for the scientific work and consultancy on conventional and unconventional fossil fuels in Denmark. GEUS managerial contact person with the Danish Energy Authorities. Chair the EuroGeoSurveys GeoEnergy Expert Group dealing with geo-energy in Europe. Recognized as independent scientific advisor for EU DG ENER and DG ENV on conventional and unconventional fossil fuels. More than 25 years experience from field studies and reserve studies of Danish, Norwegian and UK Fields, and regional prospect mapping of the Danish, Norwegian, UK, and German North Sea. 17 years experience as project manager on scientific research studies and commercial integrated multi-disciplinary exploration and reservoir studies.


Gina Cohen (2) Gina Cohen
Consultant, Natural Gas Industry
Gina started her gas career when she helped establish the local branches of BG Group in Israel and Palestine in 1998, and became a private consultant in the natural gas sector in 2005. She has been involved either on behalf of governmental institutions or major oil and gas companies in all the aspects of Israel and Palestine’s natural gas market. 

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Gina started her gas career when she helped establish the local branches of BG Group in Israel and Palestine in 1998, and became a private consultant in the natural gas sector in 2005. Gina has been involved either on behalf of governmental institutions or major oil and gas companies in all the aspects of Israel and Palestine’s natural gas market. Her work has spanned activities from the Gas Law, the Sheshinski Law, the debates of the Zemach Committee on natural gas exports from Israel, the regulatory process for the construction and siting of the natural gas facilities in Israel, the writing of the Natural Gas Guide Book for the Ministry of Energy, etc. In addition, during her years of work, Gina was involved in all aspects of the gas chain in Israel and Palestine, with her activities spanning from exploration & development, to transmission & distribution, to gas sales negotiations both on behalf of buyers and sellers, to feasibilities studies on the construction of natural gas generated independent power plants (IPPs) in the region and FLNG projects in the USA. Gina lectures on Natural Gas Law and Economy at the Technion University in Israel and at the Cyprus University in Cyprus and is the author of the Hebrew-English energy lexicon (www.hebrewenergy.com) used by all professionals in the Israeli petroleum sector.


Ruth Dagan

Dr Ruth Dagan
Partner, Head of Environment and Climate Change Practice, Herzog Fox & Neeman Law Firm
Ruth has vast experience representing corporate clients in Israel and New York on diverse environmental matters, including regulatory compliance and licensing, environmental aspects of commercial transactions, management of environmental liability risks and toxic tort litigation. 

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Ruth heads the environmental law practice at Herzog Fox & Neeman. She has vast experience representing corporate clients in Israel and New York on diverse environmental matters, including regulatory compliance and licensing, environmental aspects of commercial and real estate transactions, management of environmental liability risks and toxic tort litigation.   Ruth advises some of the largest Israeli corporations in litigation and regulatory proceedings relating to such issues as ground contamination, industrial air pollution, climate change and renewable energy. She also has particular expertise in environmental risk management in the financial sector.   Ruth is admitted to practice in Israel and New York. She received her graduate degrees in Law and Environmental Management as well as her doctorate in Environmental Finance from New York University. Ruth regularly serves on state committees and forums on environment and industrial regulation and is an adjunct lecturer at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center Sustainability School, teaching a course on environmental law.


Michal FrancoMichal Franco
Regulatory Consultant – Gas industry 
Former Senior Advisor, Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water Resources
Until recently Michal served as the Senior Adviser to the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Energy & Water Resources. She founded an energy consulting business specializing in public affairs, regulatory consulting, contract management, strategy development and market entry services –mainly in the Israeli market.

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Michal Franco Kedmi is an independent business consultant based in London. Up until recently Michal served as the Senior Adviser to the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. Michal founded an energy consulting business that specializes in public affairs and regulatory consulting, contract management, strategy development and market entry services –mainly in the Israeli market.

Listed in Israel’s Top 40 most promising young professionals by Israel’s leading financial magazine Michal gained critical experience and most intimate knowledge of the fast growing natural gas industry in the Mediterranean basin and has been deeply involved in the formulation of the export of natural gas policy of the Israeli government. She is a specialist both international and Israeli infrastructure markets, public and private sectors alike.

Michal is a Board Member of the ‘Ezra & Bizaron Company’, a specialized construction and preservation company for the City of Tel-Aviv and was a Member of the Board of Israel Railways, one of the country’s largest public companies. She also specializes in renewable energy and clean-tech as well as in policy and regulation formulation and development. Michal is a certified Israeli Lawyer and earned her LL.B (Cum Laude) and LL.M, specializing in commercial Law from Tel-Aviv University.


dhacohenDan Hacohen
Senior Partner, Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co
Dan is a senior partner at Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co, and heads its energy practice. Dan is widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts in the energy sector with over 25 years of experience in energy projects, with particular emphasis on natural gas.

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Dan is a senior partner at Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co, and heads its energy practice. Dan is widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts in the energy sector with over 25 years of experience in energy projects, with particular emphasis on natural gas. Dan has been involved in most of the major gas projects in Israel including the Yam Tethys project that discovered the Noa and Mari-B gas reservoirs offshore southern Israel (Israel’s first offshore gas discovery), the Tamar project that in 2009 discovered the 10 TCF Tamar and Dalit reservoirs in deep water off-shore northern Israel and the Leviathan project that in 2011 discovered the 20 TCF Leviathan field off-shore northern Israel.   Dan has been involved in all aspects of these projects, including the initial farm-in agreements, joint operating agreements, acquisition agreements, the negotiations with the government for receipt of the exploration rights, gas sale agreements (at an estimated value of over $25 billion), financing agreements (of approximately $3 billion), service agreements and many other related agreements. Dan has also been involved in oil and gas projects in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and the US and has advised the Government of Israel in the privatization of four government owned E&P companies. Dan is ranked by Chambers as a Key Individual in Projects and Energy as well as by Legal 500 and other leading legal directories.   Mr. Hacohen earned his LLB degree from the Hebrew University in 1986. Mr. Hacohen was the first Co-Chairman of the Energy Committee of the Israeli Bar Association and is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).  


mhagopiaMatthew Hagopian
Global Co-Head of Energy, Linklaters
Matthew Hagopian is a dual-qualified (English/New York law) partner who acts as the co-head of Linklaters’ Global Energy Sector. He is a leading practitioner in the oil, gas and power sectors, with a particular focus on LNG and FLNG. He has recently advised on potential solutions for Tamar and Leviathan.

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Matthew Hagopian is a dual-qualified (English/New York law) partner who acts as the co-head of Linklaters’ Global Energy Sector and also leads its U.S. law energy and project finance practice around the world.

He is a leading practitioner in the oil, gas and power sectors, with a particular focus on LNG and FLNG. He has recently advised on potential solutions for Tamar and Leviathan. Hagopian is recognised as a leading lawyer by Chambers Global.


gal_aGal Hershkovich
Former Director of Budgets, Israeli Ministry of Finance
At the Ministry of Finance, Gal had a number of roles, including preparing the state budget, formulating and implementing a macro-economic policy, initiating actions for savings, enhancing competition, streamlining and properly allocating resources in all the government ministries and the various sectors of the economy. 

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Former Director of Budgets at Israel’s Ministry of Finance. As part of this role Gal was responsible for preparing the state budget, formulating and implementing a macro-economic policy, outlining fiscal policy, implementing structural reforms and regulation, and initiating actions for savings, enhancing competition, streamlining and properly allocating resources in all the government ministries and the various sectors of the economy.

Prior to 2011, Gal was CEO of Egged Europe Ltd, the international arm of Egged Group. The Egged Group is the largest transportation operator in Israel, operating approximately 55% of Israel’s public transportation service lines. Under Gal’s responsibility the Egged Group has expanded its operations to public transportation markets outside of Israel and now operates a wide range of public transportation lines in a number of European cities and outlying areas with over 1800 buses.

Before this, Gal was CFO and acting CEO of Hagihon Company Ltd. Hagihon is the Jerusalem Area's Water and Wastewater Utility and is the largest water and Sewage Company in Israel. The company supplies water, sewage and drainage services in the approximately 32,500 acres of the Greater Jerusalem area, servicing about 1,000,000 residents.  The company is responsible for development, expansion, operation and maintenance of the water, sewage and drainage networks, in accordance with the city’s and towns' growth and development plans.


Eli MaromVice Admiral (Ret.) Eliezer Marum
Former Chief of Navy, Israel Defence Forces
Eliezer spent 38 years in Israel’s military. Before being appointed as the Chief of Israel’s Navy in 2007, Eliezer was the representative of the IDF at the United States Joint Forces Command, and the Defence & Armed Forces Attache at the Embassy of Israel in Singapore.  

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The Israel's Airports Authority Board outlines the IAA's strategy and policy for the management, operation and development of the airports and border terminals under its responsibility. Vice Admiral Eliezer Marum graduated from the IDF Naval Officers Course in 1975. His first sea duty assignment was as an Engine Officer. During his military service, Eliezer held various command and staff positions, including: Detection, Navigation and Communications Officer, Commander of a Missile Boat, Commander F.M.B. (Fast Missile Boat) Squadron, Commander of the Advanced Naval Command Course, Head of Operational Intelligence Department, & Commander of the F.M.B. (Fast Missile Boat) Flotilla, among others. 1999: Eliezer was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and appointed Commander of the Haifa Naval Base and the North Arena. 2001: Eliezer was appointed Head of Naval Operations of the Israel Navy. 2003: Eliezer was appointed Chief of Staff of the Israel Navy. 2004-2005: Representative of the IDF at the United States Joint  Forces Command. August 2005: Rear Admiral Eliezer Marum was appointed as the Defence & Armed Forces Attache at the Embassy of Israel in Singapore. October 2007: Eliezer was appointed as the commander in Chief of the Israeli navy. During his service Vice Admiral Marum participated and commanded many operations at sea, most of them were never published. During his term as Head of Operations,  he commanded at sea the capture of the Karin A . During his service as Chief of Staff he organized the establishment of the security system for the Israeli offshore natural gas platforms. October 2011: Eliezer ended his term as Chief of the Navy and retired from active service in August 2012 after 38 years in service. Marum today is a private businessman and strategic consultant. Eliezer is a graduate of the Israel Navy’s Advanced Command Course, the National Defence College, U.S. Navy Senior International Defense Management Program and the Harvard Business School, AMP. He holds an MBA in Social Sciences from the Haifa University. Vice Admiral Eliezer Marum is married to Ora and has three children.


image1Tzvika Nemeth
Associate, Agmon & Co. Rosenberg Hacohen & Co.
Tzvika is an associate at Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co, in its energy practice. Agmon & Co., Rosenberg Hacohen & Co. is a pioneer right across the sector having worked with the country’s leading energy companies on all major natural gas discoveries since the beginning.


941228_10151640015564341_775461132_nJoseph Paritzky
Former Minister of Energy and National Infrastructure, State of Israel
As Minister of Energy & National Infrastructure 2003-2004, Joseph headed the Energy Water and the Negev & Galilee Authorities. Post 2006, he established “International Pipes” in Houston TX, selling products in excess of US$700m. He was also a partner in Israel CNG Corp., which built a CNG terminal and station in Israel. 

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Joseph Paritzky, Former Minister of Energy & National Infrastructure in Israel

1973-1976: Army Service

1978-1982: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, School of Law, LLB

1983: Member of the Israel Bar

1985-1987: USA - Member of NY Bar, NY Law practice

1988-1999: Business and international lawyer in a private Law Practice in Tel Aviv, Israel

1999 – 2006: Member of the 15th and 16th Knesset (Israeli Parliament). Here Joseph was a Member of the Finance Committee and a Representative of the Israeli Parliament to NATO Parliamentary Assembly

2003-2004: Member of the Government and Minister of Energy and National Infrastructure in the 30th Government. In charge of Energy Water and the Negev and Galilee Authorities

2006 until today: Joseph established and headed “International Pipes” in Houston TX, which sold products and services in access of US$700 Million to the US pipeline industry (www.international-pipes.com)

Established and managed a consortium of investors in various energy projects in East Europe Representation of “ACE VALVES”, the largest Korean Valve Manufacturer, in its Middle East business Representation in Israel of GTM, the largest CNG Company in United States Founder and partner in Israel CNG Corp., which built a CNG terminal and station in Israel.

Member of the board of the Texas Israel Chamber of Commerce

Lecturing in numerous international conventions and organizations about Energy, including UK, Korea, US, Cyprus

Published various articles regarding energy issues


Mark PhillipsMark Phillips
Partner, Herzog, Fox & Neeman
Mark specialises in advising clients in the energy field, with focus on natural gas exploration & production. He acts for owners and operators of gas exploration rights and advises Israeli and international lenders on all aspects of the financing of gas E&P projects in Israel 

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Mark specialises in advising on infrastructure projects and project financing transactions in a wide variety of fields. In particular, he advises clients in the energy field, with particular emphasis on exploration and production of natural gas. He acts for owners and operators of gas exploration rights on all aspects of their activities, including applications to the Petroleum Commissioner, Farm-In Agreements, JOA's and ongoing matters. He also advises Israeli and international lenders on all aspects of the financing of gas exploration and production projects in Israel (such as the Tamar field), including advising on regulatory issues and the security package.

Mark also represents concessionaires, bidding groups, Israeli and international banks and financial institutions as well as the public sector in connection with large-scale BOT infrastructure projects, such as toll roads, light rail systems and desalination facilities. He recently advised the lenders on the financing of the new IDF Training Centre in Southern Israel, one of the largest infrastructure projects in recent years.

In addition, following recent regulatory changes allowing for the construction of independent power plants, Mark has advised a variety of lenders in connection with the financing of large scale conventional power plants. He also advises several solar power companies on the financing of their projects and on tenders in the solar power field.



DAVID RONNDavid Ronn

Partner, McguireWoods LLP
David has more than 20 years experience in a wide range of corporate and securities matters, with concentrations in the energy and technology industries that span from the representation of U.S. public entities to start-ups to cross-border transactions. He serves as co-head of strategic development for the firm’s energy practice.

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David has more than 20 years experience in a wide range of corporate and securities matters, with concentrations in the energy and technology industries that span from the representation of U.S. public entities to start-ups to cross-border transactions. He serves as co-head of strategic development for the firm’s energy practice.

His energy industry experience includes mergers and acquisitions in the upstream, midstream and downstream industries, master limited partnerships, energy trading, energy audits and performance contracts relating to energy efficiency, drilling contracts, drilling partnerships, sustainability issues and renewables. His technology experience includes investments in and fund-raising for technology-based companies, strategic alliances and development agreements. In the securities area, David leads representations that involve initial and secondary public offerings, special committees of boards of directors in conflict situations, venture capital investments, private placements of debt and equity securities including 144A and Regulation D offerings, preparation of SEC periodic reports and structure and governance matters. In addition, David has been involved in a number of healthcare transactions, mainly representing doctors related to the formations of entities and sales of practices. David was the first lawyer in Houston certified as a LEED-accredited professional by the U.S. Green Building Council and owns the first LEED- H certified home in Houston (with a gold certification).

David is a frequent speaker and has earned numerous accolades throughout his career. Activities have included serving as an energy panelist at the Foreign Law Firms Conference – The Flow to Israel; serving as emcee at the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce Cleanovation Conferences; serving as national board member and former Houston Chapter President of the American Society for the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; and serving as a board member of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce.

 


Serge Rueff headshotDr Serge Rueff Ph.D.
Past Director, Society of Petroleum Engineers; Business Development Consultant, Atlantis-Nautilus
An ultra-deepwater expert, Serge is a past-Director of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He had created the Network of Excellence in Training “NExT” concept, and “PetroStars”, an integrated Project Management Consortium

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Dr. Serge Rueff Ph.D is a Business Development Consultant with Atlantis-Nautilus of USA. An ultra-deepwater expert, Serge is a past-Director of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He had created the Network of Excellence in Training "NExT" concept, and "PetroStars", an integrated Project Management Consortium.

He held various technical and high managerial positions with IIOC around the World, from Australia to North America, from the Middle-East and Africa to Europe, and with service companies and offshore contractors. Serge consulted for the World Bank, UNDP and ADB.

Serge was the first-ever oilman to work on damaged subsea wellheads from a self-propelled submersible in deep and very deepwaters. He also drilled the first-ever Arctic offshore well from a floater.


Avri Shefler - CEOAvri Shefler, MSc
CEO, Bipol Energy Ltd.
Avri has over 40 years offshore oil and gas experience, in the management, engineering and construction of upstream and midstream gas facilities and marine structures, working with major international companies. Since 2000, he has been involved with the Israeli offshore gas industry since its inception, including Gaza Marine, the INGL offshore transmission pipeline and facilities, LNG receiving buoy (FSRU), and landfall work. 

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Avri has over 40 years offshore oil and gas experience, in the management, engineering and construction of upstream and midstream gas facilities and marine structures, working with major international companies. Since 2000, he has been involved with the Israeli offshore gas industry since its inception, including Gaza Marine, the INGL offshore transmission pipeline and facilities, LNG receiving buoy (FSRU), and landfall work. Avri holds a B.Sc in Civil Engineering from Technion University as well as an M.Sc in Civil Engineering from California State University. He also served five years as a marine officer in the Navy. As a pioneer in oil and gas engineering, Avri played a key role in the early 1970s development and construction of semi-submersible pipe-laying vessels, pipe-laying reel ships and jet-sleds. A decade later, Avri also contributed to the engineering and construction of the first Tension Leg Platform (TLP) for the North Sea Hutton Field. Most of his career has been devoted to international offshore development, specifically in the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, China, Middle East and Far East with companies such as Santa Fé International, Bechtel, Arco, British Gas and E-on Engineering. Bipol Energy Ltd is Israel first offshore Oil and Gas consultancy firm.

Additional Esteemed Speakers to be announced shortly.