Oil and Environment Expert Visits NZ

MEDIA RELEASE
May 7, 2013

Oil and Environment Expert Visits NZ

American geologist and energy expert Mark Myers is attending ENEX, New Zealand’s oil and gas event next month, to share his expertise in handling the commercial, political and social challenges of exploration in environmentally sensitive regions.

Myers, who is currently Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has wide-ranging industry, and state and federal agency experience. He is recognised around the world as a leader in energy and science policy.

Respected for his ability to communicate complex concepts to audiences, Myers is one of four international keynote speakers at the two-day ENEX petroleum event being held at the New Plymouth TSB Stadium June 6-7.

“New approaches and technologies can dramatically enhance the capacity to prevent and respond to oil spills,” he says. “Building this enhanced capacity is in everyone’s interest.”

Myers’ presentation will include examples from offshore Arctic Alaska that illustrate potential new approaches and technologies to address oil spill challenges.

About Mark Myers

Gained his Ph.D in Geology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1994.

Between 2001-2005 Mark Myers was director of the State of Alaska Division of Oil and Gas and director of the State Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, which involved managing the State’s oil and gas resources under two Governors.

He served as the director of the US Geological Survey (USGS) under the George W Bush Government between September 2006 and January 2009. In this role he managed the nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian-mapping agency – responsible for nearly 9000 employees in 400 locations worldwide, with a total annual budget of more than US$1.4 billion.

Between 2009-2010 Mark served as the first Alaska Natural Gas Inducement Act Coordinator, a new position appointed by the then Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. This new state role led efforts to expedite State review and permitting for a proposed natural gas pipeline intended to transport natural gas from Alaska's North Slope to markets in the contiguous 48 states of the US. It also involved managing state negotiations with multinational oil industry interests, and designing and permitting the large-diameter natural gas pipeline system.

In 2011 he joined the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the position of UAF Vice Chancellor for Research.

ENDS

© Scoop Media