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
Patron
With Support From
Venezuelan-American Petroleum Association (VAPA)
Venezuelan Geological Engineering Society
Venezuelan Geological Society
Petroleum Magazine (Media Partner)
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;
Welcome
8:15 AM–8:30 AMKyle Haustveit, Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Energy
Kyle Haustveit
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
Jairo Lugo
Founder and CTO, Orinoquía Energy
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
AAPG Impact Highlights in Venezuela
Keyla Gonzalez, YP Venezuela Chapter
Venezuela Oil & Gas: The Path to Investable and Bankable Growth — Bringing Back Talent, Jobs, and Opportunity
Oman Oquendo, President, VAPA
Day I Closing Remarks by Event Chairs
Networking Reception
Opening Remarks
8:00 AM–8:15 AMAna Maria Goncalves, President-Elect, AAPG Latin America and Caribbean Region (LACR), General Chair; Victor Vega, AAPG LACR Corporate Advisor, E&P Summit Chair
Paula Henao
Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Jovanny Martinez
Vice President for Exploration and Production, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)
Session III: Navigating Venezuela’s Hydrocarbon Landscape: Law, Geopolitics and Operators
Keynote: Paula Henao, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Venezuela Update - Geopolitics and the Oil & Gas Industry
Francisco Monaldi, Director, Latin America Energy Program, Baker institute, Rice University
Venezuelan Opportunity Sets in the Context of 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, Head of Energy Trands & Analytics, Welligence Energy Analytics
Q&A Moderated by Shangyou Nie
Coffee Break
Operator Insights: Perspectives from Companies Operating in Venezuela
Panelists:
- Victor Vega, AAPG LACR Corporate Advisor, E&P Summit Chair
- Francisco Pangaro, Senior Exploration Manager – Venezuela, Repsol
- Julien Van Lint, Subsurface Development Manager, Maurel Et Prom
Keynote: Jovanny Martinez, Vice President for Exploration and Production, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)
Lunch
Session IV: From Reserves to Markets: Gas and Infrastructure in Venezuela
Venezuelan Effect on the Oil and Gas Demand Forecast for the Next Decade
Rob Cordray, Partner and Managing Director, Rystad Energy
Development of Gas Opportunities in Venezuela
Moderator:
- Oman Oquendo, VAPA
Panelists:
- Gonzalo Carrillo, General Manager, Cardon IV/Repsol
- Nicolás Failache, Director, Sucre Energy
Infrastructure and Logistics: Enabling Venezuela’s Energy Future
Moderator:
- Tomás Mata, Oil and Gas Entrepreneur
Panelists:
- Mario Tommaselli, Chief Operating Officer, TECHNIP
- Paul Fellows, Senior Vice President – Energy Security, KBR
The Reopening of Venezuela’s Upstream Through a PSA: Insights and Case History
Max Torres, Managing Partner, Plata Energy
Closing Remarks by Event Chairs
Committee
Latin America and Caribbean Region President-Elect AAPG
AAPG Latin America and Caribbean Region Delegate
AAPG Latin America and Caribbean Region
Corporate Advisor
Serendipity Exploration LLC
Bureau of Economic Geology University of Texas at Austin
AAPG Well Read Editor
Ecopetrol
Technical Authority Geochemistry and Basin Analysis
Venezuelan Geological Society
Vice President
AAPG Latin America & Caribbean Region
Director
Venue
Venue
The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center
Address
2301 North Millbend Drive, , The Woodlands, Texas, United States
Website
https://woodlandsresort.com/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
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