For the next year, Harald Kraft, Country Manager for Stratum Energy Romania, takes over the Presidency of ROPEPCA – the Romanian Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association
With over 38 years of experience in the petroleum industry, upstream, midstream and downstream, Harald Kraft moved to Romania in 1997, where he held management positions in oil and gas companies up to the present date. Mr. Kraft is eager to promote continuity in the dialogue ROPEPCA has with the Romanian authorities and to lead the way for the member companies in raising the awareness for a better, fair regulatory and fiscal framework promoting investments in exploration and production for the oil and gas onshore upstream industry in Romania.
“This year marks 20 years since I arrived in Romania and since then a lot has changed, especially in terms of dialogue between the business environment and state institutions, as well as in the regulatory framework for the oil and gas upstream industry. ROPEPCA has played a major role in this change and in the future as well all our endeavors have to focus on a liberal and pragmatic business environment for our industry. I am honored to be ROPEPCA’s President for the upcoming year. To continue the excellent job done by our former President. Mark Wagley will be my challenge, but with the help of my colleagues from ROPEPCA’s board I am confident to continue developing communication and relationship with the Romanian authorities, in view of a more stable, more fair and reliable regulatory and fiscal framework for the onshore up-stream industry in Romania”, stated Harald Kraft, current President of ROPEPCA.
Mark Wagley, former President of ROPEPCA said about his experience: “Being President of ROPEPCA was not an easy role, given the numerous challenges that the Romanian authorities are always preparing for the business environment, in general, and for the oil and gas industry, in particular, and the multiple ways each member company was affected. However, I did my best to coordinate an equal, objective representation of the industry as a whole and I wish my colleagues, current and future President of ROPEPCA, good luck in their endeavor of continuing and improving the Association’s mission and objectives! I will remain on the board of directors and continue to play an active role in support of our industry”.
The New Board of Directors for 2017-2018 was also elected during the general elections at the beginning of the month, and is now formed by Stratum Energy, Hunt Oil Company of Romania, NIS Petrol, Sand Hill Petroleum Romania, KMG Rompetrol, Amromco Energy and OMV Petrom.
Saniya Melnicenco, Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs for NIS PETROL is the new ROPEPCA Vice-President and, starting with November 2018, she will step in as President.
About ROPEPCA
The Romanian Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (ROPEPCA) was founded in November 2012, aiming to strengthen the image of the onshore upstream sector in Romania, and to enhance its relationship and communication with the state, government, regional and local authorities, national agencies, and general public. ROPEPCA brings together 17 of the most important holders of oil concession agreements concluded with the Romanian state. The members of the association hold most of the oil concession agreements for Romania’s onshore exploration, development and production blocks, representing cumulated investments of 650 million euros in 2016, a turnover of almost 2.9 billion euros, contributions to the state budget of 300 million, and are responsible for creating and maintaining 14,800 jobs.