The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) has appointed Gordon Ballard to be its new Executive Director. He starts today, succeeding Michael Engell-Jensen, who is retiring after five years.
Gordon comes to IOGP after spending 30 years working with oilfield services company, Schlumberger, on four continents. He became Schlumberger’s UK Chair in 2005. He has also served as chair of the UK’s Oil and Gas Industry Council and of OPITO International, the upstream oil & gas skills organization, and was co-chair of industry trade association Oil & Gas UK.
He graduated from the University of Glasgow with a B.SC. Hons in Civil Engineering and holds a Masters in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University .
Commenting on his new role, Ballard said: "For the foreseeable future much of the energy the world needs will come from the oil and gas that IOGP’s members produce: for heat, light and transport as well as a reliable, cleaner-burning complement to solar and wind power. I’m eager to work with member companies and associations to get the message across that secure and affordable energy supplies are essential for global prosperity.
"Equally important is IOGP’s role in helping our members to find and produce oil and gas safely and sustainably. In light of the recent breakthroughs at the Paris climate summit, we are focused on furthering our work with civil society and governments. Such engagement will help to build the world’s understanding of the crucial nature of what we do," Gordon said.
"It’s an exciting time to be taking the helm of IOGP – an organization that has become stronger and more forthright under Michael Engell-Jensen’s able leadership. I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead."