highly experienced chief geophysicist

ex BHP petroleum vice president is on board.....looking real good for Whn

Australian energy company WHL Energy Limited (ASX: WHN) (“WHL Energy” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr Michael Wilson as the Company’s Chief Geophysicist, Mr Robert Pascoe and Mr Gary King as two key members to its Advisory Panel.

WHL Energy Managing Director, Steve Noske, said the Company welcomed Mike, Rob and Gary to WHL Energy team. “The Company’s strategy of employing highly experienced individuals remains one of our cornerstone objectives. Mike will play an integral role in the Company’s exploration team, focusing on our Seychelles assets and other portfolio opportunities. The knowledge of Rob and Gary will be a vital ingredient in the Company’s strategic direction over 2012.”

Chief Geophysicist – Mr Michael Wilson
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Education, Mr Wilson’s career has included extensive periods with Esso/Exxon Australia working in a variety of national and international assignments, involving acquisitions, seismic data processing and interpretation, mapping and the drilling of numerous prospects. He subsequently joined Woodside Petroleum, again participating in several international ventures. Most recently he provided geophysical consultancy services to a number of companies in Vietnam and was involved in several oil and gas discoveries. Mr Wilson said he is pleased to be involved in an exciting time for WHL Energy upon his return to Australia.
WHL Energy Managing Director, Steve Noske, said the Company welcomed Mr Wilson’s appointment as its Chief Geophysicist.
“Michael’s experience and skills will be a significant ingredient for WHL Energy as we move forward with our growing portfolio of local and international assets.”

Advisory Panel – Mr Robert Pascoe & Mr Gary King
WHL Energy has created an Advisory Panel to capture the experience of key individuals and their geographical location to support the Company’s growth into Africa. Panel members will work closely with the Company’s Board of Directors in setting strategy and the identification of growth opportunities in Africa. Its new Panel appointments are a prime example of the quality of people WHL Energy is employing to fulfil that strategy.
Mr Robert Pascoe brings a strong background in global oil and gas ventures to his new role on the WHL Energy Advisory Panel.

Mr Pascoe was previously Vice President of Global New Ventures for BHP Billiton Petroleum from 2005 to 2011. He had direct accountability for the capture of new exploration acreage and business development opportunities globally, deploying a team of 30 integrated professionals. During this period he was a senior member of the Global Exploration Leadership Team, managing an annual budget of $1 billion and a team of 200 professionals.

From 2003-2005, he served as Exploration Manager for BHP Billiton’s operated ventures in the Atlantic Basin, focused on Trinidad and Tobago and Southern Africa. During the period 2001-2003, Mr Pascoe held the role of Manager, New Ventures Western Hemisphere, with a focus on the Circum-Atlantic basins. From 1999 to 2001, Mr Pascoe was Global Chief Geologist where he was a key player in developing and selling a revised global exploration strategy and a driving influence in the development of a play-based approach to portfolio management.
Prior to working at BHP Billiton, he gained worldwide experience with Conoco Inc., his last position being Chief Geologist, Gulf of Mexico.
Mr Gary King brings 30 years of extensive experience with global commodities and asset management to his role on the WHL Energy Advisory Panel.

Mr King is currently the Managing Partner of The Matrix Partnership, a strategic advisory firm based in Dubai.
Mr King’s in-depth experience includes founding and implementing unique regional and emerging market initiatives focused on energy and natural resources. He was a founding member of the private equity GCC Energy Fund, CEO of the Dubai Mercantile Exchange and CEO of Sovereign Wealth Fund “Dubai Natural Resources World”, the first Sovereign Wealth Fund focused on commodities and natural resources. Mr King also has senior international management experience in oil exploration and production, oil trading and asset management with companies such as Neste Oy, Morgan Stanley, Emirates National Oil Company, Dragon Oil Plc, Standard Bank and Macquarie Bank.

Mr King has also held Board positions with Parker Drilling Company and Kulczyk Oil Ventures Inc. He is an advisor to Northern Gulf Partners, a leading asset manager and financial advisory services provider in Iraq. Mr King is also a senior advisor to leading Wall Street institutions and multinational oil companies, a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and TRACE International, and an approved agent for governments and multinational corporations.