Stephen Birrell, CEO of Fora Oil and Gas, is the new elected president of the Romanian Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association – ROPEPCA, following the annual elections held within the association. The newly elected Managing Committee is also formed by: Saniya Melnicenco (NIS Petrol), Amos Sanders (HOCOR), Rafael Duque (OMV Petrom) and Michel Louboutin (Expert Petroleum). Their term will end in November 2020.
Stephen Birrell is a geoscientist with over 34 years of experience in technical and senior management roles. He has been active in Romania since 2005, being an important actor involved in the process of ROPEPCA`s founding in 2012. Stephen takes over the ROPEPCA presidential term from Saniya Melnicenco, Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs of NIS Petrol.
“This past year has been challenging for our industry and for the business environment in general”, says Stephen Birrell in a press release. „ROPEPCA continues to be one of the most important voices in the dialogue with stakeholders, conveying the industry’s standpoint with regards to the long term negative effects of the adopted legislation. We remain optimistic and hope to see a change in the authorities’ vision regarding the sector for the coming years.”
The newly mandated ROPEPCA President emphasized that the onshore oil and gas industry will benefit from modernization of the legislative framework in the field of petroleum resources exploration and exploitation. A modernized framework, competitive fiscal and operating regime is important to increase competitiveness and bring fresh investments. Such an environment is a prerequisite for the success of the upcoming 11th licensing round, announced by the National Agency for Mineral Resources this year.
The members of the Association emphasize the strategic benefits of strengthening energy security at national and regional levels and supporting the increase of the national economy. These can be achieved through a predictable, stable and competitive legislative and fiscal system for the upstream industry.