Block Energy Plc, the exploration and production company focused on Georgia, announces that the current Technical Director, Roger McMechan, has stepped back from his executive position to pursue his other interests with effect from 3 June. Roger will continue on the Board as a non-executive director, enabling the Company to utilise his petroleum engineering expertise and detailed knowledge of the Company's assets as Block Energy prepares to restart oil production and initiate gas production at its West Rustavi field.

The Company is pleased to welcome Ritchie Wayland as Technical Manager. Ritchie holds a Master's degree in petroleum geology from Imperial College London.

He started his career with Schlumberger, working as a wellsite logging engineer in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caribbean and Australia. On leaving Imperial College and BP, he joined Phillips Petroleum, to work in the UK and West Africa, initially as a project geologist before leading sub-surface teams, where he specialised in the development of team performance by integrating the contributions of commercial, operations and subsurface staff to successfully discover and develop several new fields.

As Group Exploration Manager of JKX Oil & Gas plc, Ritchie rationalised the existing exploration portfolio and completed deals to acquire new acreage. He also managed 3D seismic acquisition and drilling programmes. Latterly, as Managing Director Hungary, he led the team that redeveloped and operated the Hajdúnánás field.

CEO Paul Haywood commented, 
"Roger has already made an important contribution to Block Energy as Technical Director, and we are delighted that he has agreed to stay on in a non-executive role, so that we can continue to benefit from his expertise and valuable knowledge of the Company's assets. Additionally, we are pleased to have Ritchie Wayland join the Company. His extensive experience in asset management and field development will further enhance our technical team and support Block's future growth plans."

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