Explore Venezuela at an integrated event exploring the country’s geology and E&P opportunities. This 2-day, in-person only event provides a space for both technical and business professionals interested in Venezuela to explore the country’s geology, petroleum systems, E&P potential, and above-ground considerations necessary for successful operations in-country.
Sponsors
Gold
Gold
Gold
Silver
Silver
Silver
Bronze
Bronze
With Support From
Venezuelan-American Petroleum Association (VAPA)
Venezuelan Geological Engineering Society
Venezuelan Geological Society
Program
Opening Remarks
8:00 AM–8:15 AMBrian Horn, President, AAPG; Ana Maria Goncalves, President-Elect, AAPG Latin America and Caribbean Region (LACR), General Chair; Juan Francisco Arminio, AAPG LACR Delegate, Technical Symposium Chair; Victor Vega, AAPG LACR Corporate Advisor, E&P Summit Chair
Welcome Remarks
8:15 AM–8:30 AMKyle Haustveit, Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Energy
Day I Closing Remarks by Event Chairs
5:15 PM–5:30 PMOpening Keynote
Jairo Lugo
Session I: Venezuelan Exploration Potential: Basins, Plays and Opportunities
Updated Synthesis of Plate Boundary Controls on Venezuelan Basin Development
James Pindell, Tectonic Analysis Ltd. and Rice University
Revisiting B-Subduction Related Basins of the South-Eastern Caribbean in a Deformable Plate Model Context
David Sanford-Lewis, Global Tectonics
Interactive Q&A with Presenters and Chairs
Break
Northern Venezuela Offshore Basins
Raul Ysaccis, SLB
What’s in the gap? Offshore east Venezuela: similarities and differences vs. the petroleum systems of Guyana-Suriname, Trinidad and onshore East Venezuela
Andrew Pepper, This is Petroleum Systems LLC, University of Houston
Re-development of Giant Mature fields in Western Venezuela
Tomas Mata, Production Teams Inc
Interactive Q&A with Presenters and Chairs
Lunch
Session II: From Data to Decisions: Emerging Technologies for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development
Keynote: Technical Outlook: Orinoco Oil Belt and Mature Sedimentary Basins
Emerson Marfisi, Beicip-Franlab
Maximizing Value from Mature Assets: Integrated Subsurface Understanding, Production Optimization, and Technology to develop Mature fields
Ysnardo Moya, Baker Hughes
Technological Advancements for Characterizing Heavy Oil Reservoirs
Maged Fam, Halliburton
Interactive Q&A with Presenters and chairs
Break
Critical Value of Legacy Information for Investment Decisions in Mature Basins
Katya Casey, U3 Explore
Seismic Inversion Technologies
PhD. Marianne Rauch, Lumina
Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Operational Hurdles in Venezuela through Advanced Geosteering and Real-Time Technology
Rafael Aguilar, ROGII
Interactive Q&A with Presenters and Chairs
Special Presentation
AAPG Impact Highlights in Venezuela, Keyla Gonzalez, YP Venezuela ChapterVenezuela Oil & Gas: The Path to Investable and Bankable Growth — Bringing Back Talent, Jobs, and Opportunity, Oman Oquendo, President, VAPA
Opening Remarks
8:00 AM–8:15 AMAna Maria Goncalves, President-Elect, AAPG Latin America and Caribbean Region (LACR), General Chair; Juan Francisco Arminio, AAPG LACR Delegate, Technical Symposium Chair; Victor Vega, AAPG LACR Corporate Advisor, E&P Summit Chair
Closing Remarks by Event Chairs
4:45 PM–5:15 PMVenezuelan Effect on the Oil and Gas Demand Forecast for the Next Decade
Rob Cordray
Rystad Energy
Session III: Navigating Venezuela’s Hydrocarbon Landscape: Law, Geopolitics and Operators
Latin America Energy Outlook
Francisco Monaldi, Director, Latin America Energy Program, Baker institute, Rice University
Venezuelan Context in Latin America
Bob Fryklund, Chief Strategist Upstream, S&P Global
Fiscal and Commercial Considerations for Investing in Venezuela
Noble Pendergrass, Principal Economist – Americas, Wood Mackenzie
Risk Mitigation Mechanisms Under the 2026 Hydrocarbons Law Amendment
Ruaraidh Montgomery, Welligence Energy Analytics
Break
Panel – Operator Insights: Perspectives from Companies Operating in Venezuela
Moderator: Victor Vega, AAPG LACR Corporate Advisor, E&P Summit Chair, • Francisco Pangaro, Repsol • Julien Van Lint, Subsurface Development Manager, Maurel Et Prom • Nicolás Failache, Sucre Energy
Special Presentation: The Reopening of Venezuela’s Upstream Through a PSA: Insights and Case History
Max Torres, Managing Partner, Plata Energy
Lunch
Session IV: From Reserves to Markets: Gas and Infrastructure in Venezuela
Panel – Development of Gas Opportunities in Venezuela
Chair: Oman Oquendo, VAPA • Xavier Moonan Exploration Manager, Touchstone Exploration• Gonzalo Carrillo, Repsol• Nicolás Failache, Sucre Energy
Break
Panel – Infrastructure and Logistics: Enabling Venezuela’s Energy Future
Chair: Tomás Mata, Oil and Gas Entrepreneur • Mario Tommaselli, TECHNIP• Paul Fellows, KBR
Networking Reception
The first Venezuela Technical Symposium and E&P Summit brings a critical regional dialogue to Houston in May 2026. This comprehensive event explores the evolving energy landscape of Venezuela, providing fresh perspectives on one of the world’s most significant hydrocarbon provinces through the lens of both technical innovation and strategic implementation.
The program features a strategic blend of technical rigor and executive insights, including keynote addresses from industry leaders, technical presentations, and interactive panel discussions. The event is organized into two core segments, the Technical Symposium and the E&P Summit, covering the following primary themes:
- Unlocking Exploration Potential: Basins, Plays, and Opportunities
- Emerging Technologies: From Data to Decisions in Exploration and Development
- Navigating the Hydrocarbon Landscape: Law, Geopolitics, and Operational Realities
- From Reserves to Markets: Gas and Infrastructure Development
In addition to fostering professional connections and knowledge exchange among international operators, service companies, and industry experts, the event is dedicated to supporting the next generation of energy leaders.
Any surplus generated from the event will be used to support ongoing educational and professional development activities in AAPG’s Latin America and Caribbean Region, which includes seven student and young professionals’ chapters in Venezuela.
Check back for additional program information and speaker names.
Plan now to join us in Houston to explore the latest advancements and unlocking the future of Venezuela’s energy sector.
Pricing
Registration
The registration fee includes access to technical and business sessions, lunch and coffee breaks.
Venue
Venue
The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center
Address
2301 North Millbend Drive, , The Woodlands, Texas, United States
Website
https://www.hilton.com/en/Lodging
The Woodlands Resort has a limited number of discounted rooms available for AAPG Venezuela event attendees. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be booked by May 4.
The discounted rate is $US 214 + tax, includes a daily resort charge providing access to internet and other amenities.
Click here to book rooms at the discounted rate.
The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center
2301 North Millbend Drive, , The Woodlands, Texas, United States
Sponsorship & Exhibition
Showcase your support of geoscience, technical exchange, and new opportunities as a Technical Symposium and E&P Summit sponsor.
Your sponsorship will help to make this historic event possible and will support the next generation of geoscience leaders in Venezuela and throughout the region.
Sponsoring companies receive one complimentary event registration for every $US 5000 contributed.
Contact latinamerica@aapg.org for additional information and to confirm your support
| Benefits by Level | Principal $30,000+ |
Diamond $20,000+ |
Platinum $15,000+ |
Gold $10,000+ |
Silver $7,500+ |
Bronze $5,000+ |
Patron $2,500+ |
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| Event registrations ($895 value) | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
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| Recognition during Opening & Closing Ceremony | x | x | x | x | x | ||
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| Logo on event walk-in slides | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Logo on on-site signage | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
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Be Notified on AAPG Training Opportunities
From geotechnical workshops to field trips and more, stay in the loop on upcoming virtual and in-person events.