Directors & Management

John Begg BSc
Managing Director

Mr John Begg is a petroleum geologist who has over 26 years experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. He has been a member and then leader of teams that have discovered large reserves of oil and gas leading to commercial developments in Australia and internationally.

Mr Begg was the founding managing director of Voyager Energy Limited, which floated on ASX in late 2001 and was successfully merged with Arc Energy Limited in mid 2005.

Mr Begg is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and a past member of various committees of the Australian Petroleum Producers and Explorers Association (APPEA).

Mr Begg was appointed a Director of the Company on 4 November 2005.

Ian Middlemas B.Comm, CA
Acting Chairman

Mr Ian Middlemas is a Chartered Accountant and has been in commerce for twenty years holding senior executive positions and directorships in a number of public companies. He originally worked for Arthur Andersen before joining the Normandy Group where he was a Senior Group Executive for approximately ten years. Mr Middlemas has considerable corporate, financial and management expertise. He is a Member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Mr Middlemas was appointed a Director of the Company on 3 November 1995.

Dougal Ferguson B.Bus, CPA
Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary

Mr Dougal Ferguson has over 16 years experience in publicly listed oil and gas companies based in Australia and the UK.  His previous role was as the Commercial Manager and CFO of ARC Energy Limited, a position he held during a period of significant growth and expansion of that Company.  He was also Company Secretary of both ARC Energy and Adelphi Energy Limited.  Mr Ferguson has previously worked in the UK for Premier Oil plc and Amerada Hess Limited in both finance and commercial roles.

Mr Ferguson has extensive knowledge of the domestic and international oil industry together with a strong understanding of the Australian market and regulatory regime.  He has substantial financial management experience and has managed capital raisings, debt funding and numerous corporate actions, including merger and acquisition activities.

Mr Ferguson was appointed a Director of the Company on 17 July 2006.

Ron Miller, BSc, MSc Engineering
Non-Executive Director

Mr Ron Miller has 30 years experience in the upstream oil and gas industry which includes working in management roles for both large service companies and operating oil and gas companies.  Companies in which he has held senior positions include McDermott Inc., Amploex Limited and Mobil Exploration and Production, Australia.  Mr Miller has particular expertise in project management and managing the transition of companies from exploration success to developing and producing oil and gas fields.

Throughout his career Mr Miller has been involved with innovative development projects including the Wandoo oil field and East Spar condensate and gas field.  Mr Miller also provides strategic development advice for LNG developments in Australia.

Mr Miller was appointed a Director of the Company on 31 March 2006.

Greg Wagner, Bsc, MSc Geol.
Resident Manager (USA)

Mr Greg Wagner has over 30 years experience in the oil and gas industry. His most recent position was Director Business Development for the fourth largest oil production company in California. He brings to Salinas a wealth of experience in growing and running a successful oil and gas business in California.