Farm-out Forum 2026

Colin Murray- Sunda Energy

15:20 – 15:30 | Farmout Slot 1

A geology graduate of Imperial College London, Colin has over 44 years’ industry experience in a range of technical and managerial roles, primarily in the UK and Far East, working on projects from frontier new ventures through exploration and appraisal to developments.

In his current role as New Business Advisor for Asia-Pacific focused AIM-listed Sunda Energy (LON: SNDA), his focus is on securing new exploration, appraisal and development opportunities, as well as supporting ongoing appraisal of the Chuditch asset offshore Timor-Leste and exploration blocks in deepwater Philippines.

Prior to returning to the UK in 2021, Colin was based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for over 17 years, including five years with Hess and Carigali-Hess and eight years as Exploration Manager for Mitra Energy, before joining SundaGas in 2018.

Earlier in his career he worked with a number of companies including GSI, RTZ Oil & Gas, Elf, Sun International, Kerr-McGee and Harrods Energy and was a founder director of Eclipse Energy, initiating what became one of the UK’s first offshore wind farms.

Mike Lakin – Envoi Limited

15:50 – 16:00 | Farmout Slot 2

A geology graduate from Cardiff University in 1981, Mike worked for independent oil and gas companies involved in the UK, Europe and West Africa.

He then joined a London advisory group as a geologist specialising in international upstream project acquisition and divestment (A&D) and portfolio management activities, becoming Group General Manager before leaving to establish his own upstream energy A&D advisory company, ENVOI Limited, at the end of 1999, where he is currently Managing Director.

Mike has spent over 35 years advising upstream clients on the buying, selling and portfolio management of more than 300 energy projects around the world.

Alaister Shakerly – Larus Energy

16:30 – 16:40 | Farmout Slot 3

BIO TO FOLLOW

Dr Khalil Nourafkan – Cal Energy Resources

16:40 – 16:50 | Farmout Slot 4

Dr Khalil Nourafkan is a highly accomplished Principal Geologist and Team Leader with more than 26 years of technical and commercial experience in the global energy sector. He has a proven track record of planning and executing successful upstream projects for major international energy companies, driving value from frontier basin analysis through to field decommissioning.

Notably, his innovative subsurface solutions and rigorous reservoir management have unlocked significant efficiencies, saving tens of millions of dollars on world-class field developments across Europe, the North Sea, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Kazakhstan.

Equipped with a PhD in Geology and an MBA in Oil and Gas Management, Khalil seamlessly bridges the gap between complex geoscience and commercial strategy. His expertise encompasses robust volumetric estimation, technical due diligence, new venture valuation and business development.

An effective multicultural leader known for delivering high-quality results on strict timelines, Khalil brings an invaluable blend of technical mastery and strategic insight to business development opportunities.

Rachael Haslar – Heritage Oil

16:50 – 17:00 | Farmout Slot 5

Rachael is an experienced exploration geologist with over 20 years in the industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Petroleum Geology from Imperial College London and a degree in Geology from Durham University.

As Exploration Manager for Papua New Guinea at Heritage Oil, she has played a key role in the exploration of all PNG assets since the project’s inception in 2013.

Neil Hodgson – Searcher Seismic

17:00 – 17:15 | Exploration Heats Up in The Gulf of Papua (PNG)

Neil has been exploring for hydrocarbons for over 40 years with various energy companies such as BP, BG and Premier Oil, blundering into a variety of oil and gas discoveries around the world on the way.

Fourteen years ago he joined a multi-client seismic company to tell hydrocarbon tales about their seismic library and he is currently a Director of Searcher focused on acquiring new multi-client seismic datasets into exciting new hydrocarbon stories.