IOGP appoints new Regional Director-Americas
Wafik Beydoun is IOGP’s new Regional Director-Americas. He comes to the Association, as a secondee from Total, with more than 30 years’ experience in the upstream oil and gas sector. Most recently, he was the company’s General Manager and Country Chair in Kuwait.
He also currently serves as Chair of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. Previously, his career included leadership and technical positions in the US, the UK, France, Angola and the UAE.
In his new role, Wafik has already started liaising with national oil and gas industry associations, current and prospective IOGP members, regulators and other regional stakeholders – usually in their own language. He speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish and French – as well as Arabic.
“I’m excited about my work at IOGP because it involves increasing the Association’s value to members by re-thinking collaboration and advocacy strategies in the Americas. While this might put me beyond my comfort zone, that’s a good thing,” Wafik says.
He is also enthusiastic about his new, full-time working arrangements: co-location in the American Petroleum Institute’s Center for Offshore Safety in Houston. “This will enable IOGP to work more closely than ever before with the Americas’ largest oil and gas association. This is bound to result in opportunities and synergies.”
Wafik succeeds Albert Skiba, who has retired after 2.5 years as IOGP’s first Regional Director – Americas. “Albert leaves with the Association’s gratitude for all of his hard work and achievements,” says Executive Director Gordon Ballard. “Now, with Wafik’s experience, skills and enthusiasm, we are continuing to strengthen the Association’s presence in the Americas.”
