Home > About us > Our team

We are driven by our passion for the industry and the people of our province. 

Our team of 20 people has extensive experience in engineering, science, investment attraction, and business aspects of oil and gas and has a deep understanding of offshore Newfoundland and Labrador’s reservoir characteristics and geology.

We know the industry.

We have deep global industry knowledge and vast perspectives gained from working across multiple corporations and countries. We know the industry because we have worked in the upstream sector and the supply chain across North and South America, the Middle East, and other areas now competing with Newfoundland and Labrador for capital investment.

The exploration team has cataloged its work and results, publishing more than 70 papers on Newfoundland and Labrador geoscience since 2010. To view papers and abstracts completed by our expert exploration team, click the Abstracts link below.

Our exploration team has also been recognized with two top 30 papers at the 2016 SEG Conference for the discovery and early evaluation of the West Orphan Play Trend.

Abstracts

Charles Randell, Chair

Dr. Randell began his oil and gas career in 1981 on seismic survey vessels. His foray into research and development began as a technician at C-CORE. Serving as President and CEO of C-CORE in 2006, he led the corporation through significant growth and expansion. Dr. Randell retired from C-CORE in 2017 and now consults through his company, Magellan Consulting Ltd.

Dr. Randell has degrees in Electrical Engineering from Lakehead University, and M.A Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering and Computer Science from University of Victoria. He was named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs (2012), and was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2014).

Wayne Chipman

Wayne Chipman started his 35-year oil and gas industry career in Calgary, Alberta before returning to Newfoundland and Labrador to work with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, where he spent more than 20 years. Mr. Chipman was instrumental in setting up Nalcor Energy’s Oil and Gas division where he worked from 2007 to 2011. While working with Nalcor Energy he was a member of the team that negotiated equity interests in the White Rose, Hebron and Hibernia Southern Extension fields.

Wayne Chipman is a graduate of Memorial University (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering). In 2013, Mr. Chipman was awarded Noia’s Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of his contribution to the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Bernard J. Collins

Bernard J. Collins is the Chair and former President of PF Collins. Tasked with developing PF Collins’ involvement in the emerging offshore petroleum industry, under his leadership the company grew from a small customs brokerage firm into a progressive integrated logistics provider.

Mr. Collins has received Noia’s Outstanding Contribution Award (2005) and the Gardiner Centre Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2012). He has been listed among Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs and inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

Mr. Collins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University.

Richard J. Daw

Richard J. Daw was a partner with Deloitte for almost 30 years where he was an advisor to oil and gas contractors on tax and organizational matters. After retirement, Mr. Daw became an Executive in Residence with Memorial University’s Faculty of Business and a founding member of the Institute of Corporate Directors – NL Chapter. Mr. Daw is a member of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Atlantic Canada and the Association of Chartered Professional Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Leslie Grattan

Owner of Leslie Grattan and Associates Inc., Ms. Grattan provides environmental consulting services. Ms. Grattan has held senior environmental management positions and has extensive experience in offshore oil and gas, hydroelectricity generation, civil construction, and aquaculture. Ms. Grattan is Chair of the Oceans Learning Partnership, Director of the Atlantic Regional Board of the Nature Conservancy Canada, and winner of the NEIA 2018 Industry Champion Award. She is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador and is an Honorary Member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Shelly Leighton

Shelly Leighton is a graduate of University of New Brunswick (Bachelor of Science and Engineering in Geodesy and Geomatics) and Memorial University (Masters in Oil and Gas Engineering). Ms. Leighton has spent several years working in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as on heavy civil projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ms. Leighton is the owner and CEO of Advanced Access Engineering – an engineering firm specializing in autonomous vehicles. Ms. Leighton is an instructor at the Marine Institute and Chair of the school’s Ocean Mapping Program. She is an advocate for women in STEM and is a role model for young women interested in careers in science and technology.

Jennifer Warren

Jennifer Warren is a graduate of Memorial University (Bachelor of Commerce Co-Op) and a Chartered Professional Accountant. Ms. Warren has over 16 years’ experience in finance, risk, and compliance for large, complex and Crown corporations and has extensive experience in the natural resource sector and highly-regulated industries. Ms. Warren has held senior roles with Deloitte, Voisey’s Bay Nickel, Fortis Inc., Nalcor Energy, and RSA Canada. She is currently the Director, Compliance and Governance with Johnson Insurance.