Oil and gas
10 exploration geoscience experts
These ten professionals have held exploration and exploration geoscience roles inside oil, gas and mining companies. A reader can learn how exploration groups are organized and how exploration programs are planned and run inside operating companies.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bryan D. Ritchie
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Exploration · bp
Vice President Exploration at bp since 2024. Former VP Exploration Asia Pacific, Middle East & India (2015–2019) and New Ventures Exploration Director - Eastern Hemisphere (2013–2014) at bp. The profile mentions projects in North Africa, Australia, Indonesia, India, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea.
Christopher Olson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Global Exploration · Murphy Oil Corporation
Former Vice President Global Exploration at Murphy Oil Corporation (2022–2025), and Senior Vice President, Global Exploration and Subsurface there since 2025. Former General Manager US Gulf of Mexico and Mexico Exploration at Murphy Oil Corporation (2018–2022) and New Ventures Team Lead at Cobalt International Energy (2014–2016).
Emmanuelle Garinet
LinkedInExperience: VP Exploration Africa · TotalEnergies
Former VP Exploration Africa at TotalEnergies (2021–2026), and Director Exploration Americas and Sub-Saharian Africa at Chevron since 2026. The profile describes strategic leadership in global exploration, portfolio and budget management, and New Ventures capture. Former Exploration Area Manager South America at TotalEnergies (2017–2019).
Geoffrey A. Haddad
LinkedInExperience: Senegal Exploration Manager · ConocoPhillips
Former Senegal Exploration Manager at ConocoPhillips (2013–2016), VP Alaska Exploration (2008–2011) and Exploration Manager, Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (2006–2008) at ConocoPhillips. Also Manager Geological Technology at ConocoPhillips (2011–2013), and Geological Fellow - New Ventures at ConocoPhillips since 2016.
John Ardill
LinkedInExperience: Vice President - Head of Global Exploration · ExxonMobil
Vice President - Head of Global Exploration at ExxonMobil since 2022. The profile says the person leads ExxonMobil's global exploration efforts with a focus on portfolio value growth, commercial negotiations and technical analysis. Former Vice President - Global Frontier Exploration at ExxonMobil (2021–2022).
Kelsey Jewett
LinkedInExperience: Exploration Director · Gran Tierra Energy
Exploration Director at Gran Tierra Energy since 2023. Former Sr. Manager, Exploration (2020–2023) and Senior Lead Geologist (2016–2020) at Gran Tierra Energy, Exploration Geoscientist at Shell (2014–2016) and Senior Exploration and New Ventures Geologist at TotalEnergies (2012–2014).
Laura Unverzagt
LinkedInExperience: Exploration Director · Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Exploration Director at Black Stone Minerals, L.P. since 2026, where the profile says the person manages the exploration team of geoscience and engineering staff. Former Exploration Manager (2024–2026) and Exploration Geologist (2023–2024) at Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Lúcio D. Prevatti
LinkedInExperience: General Manager Exploration · Shell
Former General Manager Exploration at Shell (2022–2024), and General Manager Exploration, Development and Subsurface at Shell since 2024. Former Subsurface and Growth Manager (2021–2022), Development Manager Operated Assets (2019–2021) and Team Lead - Core Basins Growth (2016–2019) at Shell.
Mahmoud Alnazghah
LinkedInExperience: Director, Exploration Geosciences · Maaden
Director, Exploration Geosciences at Maaden since 2025. Former Manager, Geological Operations (2024–2025), Team Lead, Geological Operations (2022–2024) and Geological Specialist (2008–2021) at aramco, and Exploration Geologist at aramco from 2007 to 2008.
Tomas Zapata
LinkedInExperience: Director of Exploration Americas Assets · Repsol
Former Director of Exploration Americas Assets at Repsol (2016–2023), and Director of Global Exploration and Development at Repsol since 2023. The profile describes exploration activities at Repsol across Latin America basins, with studies focused on the Andean fold and thrust belt. Former Director of Exploration Operations at Repsol (2015–2016).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's seat to your question, since running a regional or country exploration program differs from setting a company-wide exploration portfolio. Also consider whether you need someone close to the technical geoscience work or someone who has managed exploration budgets and partners at the leadership level.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which basins or prospects get exploration budget, and how do you rank them against each other?
- 02How do you organize geoscience and engineering staff on an exploration team so that technical work feeds drilling decisions?
- 03What lessons have you learned from dry holes or failed exploration campaigns, and how did they change your process?
Reaching exploration geoscience experts
How can I contact one of these exploration geoscience experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including bp, Murphy Oil Corporation and TotalEnergies, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach exploration geoscience experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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