Latest Petroleum News[06.14.2010] British Gas Spins Bit in Offshore Tunisia Development. In late May 2010, British Gas Tunisia Limited (BG) was testing Hasdrubal A4ST3 in its Hasdrubal field, offshore Pelagian Basin. [02.08.2010] Apex plans wells in Sfax Offshore Permit. Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide Ltd (APEX) plans to appraise the Jawhara structure in the Sfax Offshore exploration permit, offshore Pelagian Basin [11.11.2009] Petrofac Resources International Ltd (Petrofac) is planning to tie a pre-drilled third well (Chergui-3) into the Chergui field central production facility in Kerkennah Island in 2010. [08.20.2008] Apex Strikes Oil Offshore Tunisia. Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide Ltd. (Apex) reached a total depth of 7,231 feet (2,204 m) with the Ras El Besh 3 (REB3) well on the Sfax Offshore Permit in Tunisia. |
Orville D. Gaither, Sr. P.E.
Chairman - Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
For many years Orville D. Gaither was on a first name basis with the rulers and energy ministers of twenty-seven counties. Now the owner of a growing independent company with two of his three sons, Orville worked for Amoco for forty three years. From 1979-1991 he served as President of Amoco's Africa and Middle East Region, which in itself would have qualified as one of Americas largest oil companies.
The Houstonian's impressive resume includes the 1990 presidency of the international Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and a Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Houston.
Gaither's perspective is unusual in that it combines global experience with the viewpoint of a small independent trying to carve out a niche in an increasingly troubled market. "Orville seems accustomed to being in charge. One moment he is discussing the strategy of OPEC and the next he is drawing a diagram in freehand to explain how to assemble a platform in the deep ocean waters. Then he leans forward and speaks emotionally about the real image of the American Oilman.**"
Orville and, his wife for over fifty years, Margaret Gaither, have four children. After many years of working, living and traveling abroad, and having written the book on it, literally, they can be comfortable anywhere. When it comes to his industry experiences, Orville Gaither says simply, "been there, done that."
Orville and Margaret live in west Houston, not far from the Gaither Holdings Corporate Headquarters, where he continues to guide the growth and development of the companies of Gaither Holding Corporation.
(**Reproduced by permission from The Oil Makers by Jeffery Share, Rice University Press, 1995)
O. Duane Gaither, II P.E.
Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
Duane Gaither has been a member of the petroleum industry almost from birth, moving around the world wherever his father's career took the family. Like his father, a successful oilman and executive, Duane has always enjoyed the challenges set forth, by what he claims, is the most exciting industry on earth.
A graduate of Texas A&M University, he began his career at Amoco in 1980, working in their Salt Domes Operations, and Michigan Reserve Development Groups. Leaving Amoco in 1985, he formed Petroleum Resources, a firm which provided contract drilling, workover and production expertise to independent oil gas operators. When that company became Gaither Petroleum Corporation in 1991, Duane became Vice-President. Later, after becoming President in 1997, Duane recognized the need for the Company to expand its horizons in order to continue its growth, and he began pushing the company toward the international oil and gas arena pioneered by his father.
Today, Gaither Petroleum Corporation, though their international affiliate Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, is the operator of the Sfax Offshore permit in Tunisia. Having recently completed a successful marine 3D survey, the company is now planning for the development of the first of three discoveries. Duane adheres to a "hands-on" work philosophy and oversees all aspects of the corporation, including finance, exploration and production. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and is active in the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Duane lives in Houston, Texas with his wife Christine, and their four children.
Douglas Wayne Gaither
President & General Manager, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
Douglas Gaither has over twenty years of Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum Geology, Supervision and Managerial experience. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering in 1985 from Texas Tech University, he has performed extensive research studies for the Earth Sciences Research Institute (E.S.R.I.) and worked for Marathon Oil and Amoco Production Company. Douglas earned his Masters in Geology from the University of South Carolina in 1987, and joined his brother Duane at Petroleum Resources of Texas, Inc., which later became Gaither Petroleum Corporation in 1991. Until transferring to Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide Ltd. where he is President and General Manager, Douglas Gaither served as Vice President of Engineering and Exploration. He was responsible for developing and implementing the company's Exploration Program as well as supervising the development of individual prospects. From the Engineering aspect, he was also supervised all aspects of onshore and offshore drilling, workover and production operations for the company.
As the President and General Manager of APEX he applies his education, skills and experience in all aspects of the Company's operations. His experience makes him a well rounded manager and includes an excellent background in property evaluation, production engineering, well completions, production optimization, prospect analysis and drilling. Effectively employing the team concept, Douglas works with the other APEX staff members to build the Company's future.
Douglas is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and is also active in community through his association with a local church. He lives in Katy Texas west of Houston with his wife Cindy, who previously served as Controller for Gaither Petroleum, and their four children.
Hans M. Bisewski, PhD
Senior Vice President Exploration & Business Development, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
Hans joined APEX in January of 2009, after spending 7 years with Transworld Exploration & Production, Inc., finally achieving position of President. A senior level manager with nearly 30 years experience in all aspects of exploration, production and business development, Hans is a hard working, innovative and thorough geologist and a proven oil-finder having made commercial size oil and gas discoveries in the UK North Sea, China, Nigeria, Gabon and New Zealand. Dr. Bisewski has successfully managed newly formed divisions and start-up companies, consistently adding value in complex international business environments and delivering results. He began his career with Conoco, first in Egypt and later in the UK, after taking petroleum engineering courses at the University of Oklahoma and earning his Doctorate in Geology from the Technical University of Berlin in 1982. He then joined Veba Oel in 1992 where he worked in various & increasing positions of authority in the FSU and Venezuela until joining Western Atlas’ newly formed E & P Division as Manager of International Exploration. When Western Atlas was acquired by Baker Hughes in 1998, Hans became the General Manager of the Exploration and Production Group, prior to joining Transworld in 2001.
Patrick T Gordon
Exploration Manager, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
After receiving Bachelor of Science & Master of Science degrees in Geology in 1966 & 1968 from Texas A&M University, Pat spent two years in the United States Army where he had the opportunity to use his geology background as a Terrain Analysis Officer at the Combined Intelligence Center, Military Assistance Command, in Vietnam, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He joined Gulf Oil Corp. in the Houston Exploration District in 1970, where he explored for and found oil & gas in the Tertiary trends of onshore and offshore Texas. In 1975 he became a Regional Geologist and led an exploration team which acquired $140,000,000 in offshore leases. In 1979 he went to Midland, Texas for Gulf where he supervised an exploration program containing over 650,000 acres in the Delaware Basin. Pat has also worked for Michel T. Halbouty Energy, Arkla Exploration, Southwestern Energy, and as a consultant. Prior to joining Gaither, he found significant new reserves as a consultant on a number of 3-D projects in the Oligocene Frio/Vicksburg trend in Texas and Louisiana. During his career, Pat has caused the discovery of over 20 new fields with a total value over 500 BCFE. He joined Gaither Petroleum Corp in 2001 where he is responsible for all geological and geophysical activities leading to the discovery and production of new reserves in producing properties, to the acquisition of new properties, and to the discovery of new fields. He is a Leader in the professional community as an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, a current member of their rule-making body, the House of Delegates, is an AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist, and is a Past President of the Houston Geological Society.
Ken Schuepbach
Chief Financial Officer, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
Ken Schuepbach, Chief Financial Officer, has nearly 30 years experience in the oil and gas industry, 25 of which was spent with ConocoPhillips. During his ConocoPhillips tenure Ken was responsible at various times for the financial matters of upstream operations in the U. S. lower 48, China, Canada, West Africa and North Africa, headed the commodity derivative financial services for North America, and advised the Company's strategic planners on international tax planning matters. Ken has an MBA from the University of Missouri and is a CPA.
Mark Mathis, MS, MBA
Chief Geo Physicist, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
Mark provides APEX a wide range of geophysical solutions to modeling the subsurface including 3D structural modeling, velocity modeling, depth-conversions, inversions, uncertainty analysis, cross-validations and other critical workflows using the Petrel platform. Mark has worked in a wide variety of domestic basins including the Gulf of Mexico and mid-continent areas of the U.S., and many years working world-class fields in the Reforma-Akal, Salina del Istmo, and Macuspana basins of Mexico, the Faja del Orinoco of Venezuela, and offshore Tunisia. Mark began his career 30 years ago in minerals exploration with GCO Minerals company, then in oil and gas exploration with companies such as St. Joe Petroleum, Transco Exploration Company, Schlumberger Consulting Services before joining APEX in 2008. Mark's academic background includes a B.A. from Trinity University, a M.S. degree from Texas A&M, Commerce and a M.B.A. from University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Mark also speaks fluent Spanish.
Dr.Ali M'Rabet
Senior Vice President of the Africa & Middle East Region, Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd.
Ali M’Rabet, earned his Masters in Natural Sciences in 1972 from the University of Tunis, his Doctorate in Geology in 1975 and Doctorate in Natural Sciences in 1981, both from the University of Paris. He is a world renowned expert on the geology of North Africa and has many publications on a variety of related subjects to his credit. Dr. M’Rabet was a member of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Tunis from 1978 until 1991 when he joined ETAP as a technical advisor to the President and CEO. He rose through positions of increasing responsibility within ETAP finally reaching the position of Vice President of Exploration.
In 2004, he joined Thani Investments as a Senior Vice President of Business Development where he was responsible for assessment of exploration and development opportunities and assets in Yemen, Syria, Oman, Indonesia, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Chad, and acquisition of petroleum rights on more than 11 Blocks in Egypt, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Senegal and Tunisia. From 2005 until joining APEX in March of 2007 he served as both Managing Director of Al Thani Petroleum Services and Executive Vice President of International business Development for Thani Emirates Petroleum.