Launch webinar: Opportunities for Geoscientists in the Energy Transition – Introduction

Energy Transition Strategic Science Theme Lead, The Geological Society

Bas has over 32 years of geoscience experience in the Energy Industry, having worked for Shell, Woodside and CNOOC International in a variety of senior management roles in Exploration, Appraisal, Development, Commercial and Business Development. His last role with CNOOC was as Vice President Exploration for Europe & Africa, based in London. 
Since leaving CNOOC in 2022, Bas has been a Business Development Consultant for EnQuest UK, via his own company Superb Energy. Bas has a B.Sc. in Physics (with Geophysics) and a PhD in Lower Crustal Seismology from Imperial College.

For the last 5 years, Bas has also volunteered as a mentor for A-level students at Surrey SATRO, a STEM educational charity. He runs an annual project on “The Global Energy Transition”. Earlier this year, he became the Energy Transition Theme Lead for The Geological Society, which is a part-time voluntary role.

Bas has a passion for the Earth Sciences and developing people to maximise their impact on the Energy Transition.

Professor of Geoscience & Director, Centre for Energy Transition, University of Aberdeen

John Underhill is Aberdeen University’s Interdisciplinary Director for Energy Transition and Professor in Geoscience and Energy Transition in their School of Geosciences. He is the academic executive director of the UK's GeoNetZero* Centre of Doctoral Training (CDT). His research interests focus upon the role of geoscience in the energy transition and use of methods and data in providing the best solutions and outcomes to deliver low-carbon net zero goals.

Before taking up an academic career that has seen him hold posts at Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen Universities, John worked as an Exploration Geoscientist for Shell and has also undertaken sabbaticals with bp in Glasgow and Norsk Hydro in Bergen. John helped lead Heriot-Watt's efforts to set up the Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Science and Technology and was the University's Chief Scientist. He was a board member of the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) for three years and their President in 2011-12. John was the Chair of the National Energy Skills Accelerator (NESA), a collaboration between Aberdeen University, Robert Gordon University *RGU), North-East Scotland College, Skills development Scotland and Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) in 2022-23.

An unusual fact is that he also was a professional football referee who officiated in the top-flight matches in Scotland and Europe between 1994-2008.

CEO & Co-founder, Energex CCS; Board Member, Climeworks & ReCarber

Syrie Crouch brings over 30 years of experience in the energy industry, including nearly two decades in gas injection and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Formerly VP for CCS at Shell, she led the development of Shell’s global CCS strategy and organization, governing capital investments across projects in Europe, North America, and Asia with a combined CAPEX of over US$1.5 billion.

She played a key role in establishing enabling CCS policies with governments worldwide and led delivery of the Quest CCS project in Canada, which has successfully stored over 8 million tonnes of CO₂ since 2015.

As Founder and CEO of Energex CCS, Syrie now advises international organizations, major corporations, and investors on decarbonization and the energy transition. She also serves on the boards of Climeworks (Direct Air Capture) and ReCarber (BECCS development).

CEO & Co-founder, H2Au

Owain is a geologist with over 24 years of experience in energy resources, having led significant exploration and development projects across Africa, Russia, Central America, and the Middle East. 

He has held senior leadership positions with Qatar Energies and Glencore International (FTSE 100), and brings a wealth of detailed knowledge and experience in identifying, creating and maturing valuable resource portfolio’s. 

Senior Commercial Adviser, CNOOC International

Karize is a geologist and senior commercial advisor with over 20 years of experience in the energy industry. She began her career with BP in Trinidad before moving to the UK to join Nexen Petroleum (now part of CNOOC). Throughout her geology career in exploration and appraisal, she has worked across a wide range of basins, including Trinidad, the UK North Sea, Ireland, Norway, the Gulf of Mexico, and South Africa.
In the past three years, Karize has transitioned into a senior commercial advisor role, supporting a producing asset in the North Sea. This shift has enabled her to apply her deep technical expertise—ranging from resource evaluation and uncertainty analysis, to drilling operations and project management—to broader commercial decision-making. She is also actively involved in advancing the UK business Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) strategy.