OUR BOARD
Gerhard Ludvigsen
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
One of the founders of the Hemla group of companies, Mr. Ludvigsen is also a Director of Hemla Vantage and serves on the board of a charity foundation supporting education in emerging countries. Mr. Ludvigsen is the founder of several companies in Norway and internationally within the oil and gas industry, as well as in other ventures. Mr. Ludvigsen was an advisor for a major securities house in Norway. Mr. Ludvigsen holds a strong network in the international E&P industry.
Knut Søvold
DIRECTOR
One of the founders of Hemla and Director of Hemla Vantage, Mr. Søvold has over 30 years of experience in the E&P business from both executive management and technical level. Extensive experience with fields and licenses in the North Sea, North and West Africa, Middle East, Far East, Australia, Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as in management and administration through establishing and operating companies in Norway, UK and in Kazakhstan. Mr. Søvold was a manager of the Snorre Field in the North Sea, with a production of 200.000 bopd. Mr. Søvold has been working with West African assets since 2000 and in Nigeria since 2008. Mr. Søvold holds a MSc in Petroleum from The Institute of Technology in Trondheim, Norway.
Kristian Utkilen
DIRECTOR
Mr. Utkilen is a Director of Hemla Vantage and the Managing Director of Kanfa Aragon AS. He holds a MSc in Mechanical and Process Engineering NTH 1992. Previous experience as Technical Director and a background from Umoe, ABB and Vetco Aibel as process engineer, system testing manager, HAZOP leader, department manager, operations manager and technical manager. Particular working practice as head engineer/manager for proposals, studies, projects, package follow-up and system testing. He is educated in leadership through AFF Solstrandprogrammet within Global Management Perspective, Influence, Power, Authority and Efficient Management of Teams and Relational Competence.
Jalil Ebrahimpour
DIRECTOR
Mr. Ebrahimpour is also the Managing Director of Kharg Gas Refining Company, as well as a board member of Kharg Petrochemical Company. He has 40 years of experience from the petrochemical industry from both a technical level, as well as executive management. His executive management experience includes positions such as Managing Director of Fanavaran Petrochemical Co. in Mahshahr and Mobin Petrochemical Co. in Assaluyeh, as well as Project General Manager for NPC and Sepehr Energy Corporation. He also served on the board of several petrochemical companies in Iran such as Parsian Sepehr Refinery Co., Dena Petrochemical Industries Co., Marjan Petrochemical Co., Shiraz Petrochemical Industries Co., Siraf Energy Investment Co. and Shiraz Petrochemical Development Co. Mr. Ebrahimpour holds a BSc in Electronics from the Sharif University of Technology in Iran.
Shahab Babayan
DIRECTOR
Mr. Babayan is also the Projects Director in Kharg Gas Refining Company, as well as the Senior Advisor to the Managing Directors of Kharg Petrochemical Company. He has 30 years of experience from the petrochemical industry from both a technical level, as well as management. His experience includes positions such as Engineering and Planning Manager and Kharg Petrochemical Complex Deputy Manager, Deputy Production Manager and Process Engineering Deputy Manager in Shiraz Petrochemical Company. His work practice includes contracting, feasibility studies, tenders, design of facilities, etc. Mr. Babayan holds a MSc in Chemical Engineering from Shiraz University.
Hossein Afarideh
DIRECTOR