Highlights

• Appointment of Philip Byrne as Non-Executive Chairman and Joanne Kendrick as a NonExecutive Director
• Appointment of Robert Benkovic to the role of Chief Operating Officer
• Retirement of Michael Evans from the Board

88 Energy advises of the following changes to its Board and management personnel.

Mr Philip Byrne has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman and to the Board of 88 Energy. Phil is a petroleum geologist by training with over 40 years’ experience in the international oil and gas industry across technical, exploration, commercial and executive leadership roles. Previous positions he has held include Executive Vice President Marketing & Trading and Commercial, for Santos Energy, Managing Director and CEO of Nido Petroleum, President of the North-West Shelf Australia LNG organisation (the JV marketing arm of the NW Shelf LNG Project) and various roles with BHP Petroleum including General Manager (Pakistan), President Gas Marketing (Asia/Australia) and General Manager (Australia).

Ms Joanne Kendrick (pictured) has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director and to the Board of 88 Energy. Joanne is a petroleum engineer with over 25 years’ experience in the global oil and gas sector. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Buru Energy Limited and Sacgasco Limited and has previously held Board and senior management positions with various international oil and gas companies including more recently as Managing Director and CEO of Blue Star Helium.

Mr Robert Benkovic is joining 88 Energy in the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Rob is a petroleum engineer and subsurface manager with almost 25 years’ experience across the oil and gas industry. Previous industry roles he has held include Group Manager, Reservoir Engineering at Inpex Corp, Kharaib Section Head at Maersk Oil, Reservoir Engineering Expert and Senior Reservoir Engineer at Apache Corp, Senior Petroleum Engineer at Schlumberger and Petroleum Engineer at Origin Energy.

Mr Michael Evans has retired from the 88 Energy Board with immediate effect following more than seven years of service as Non-Executive Chairman. The Company would like to express its deep gratitude to Michael for the substantial commitment and contribution that he has provided to the business over this time. 88 Energy and its people wish Michael all the very best with his future endeavours.

New 88 Energy Non-Executive Chairman, Phil Byrne, commented:
“I am delighted to be joining the 88 Energy team at this exciting time. The Company’s suite of worldclass acreage on the North Slope of Alaska offers huge potential for shareholder value in my eyes. I look forward to assisting the management team in the drive to unlock this value through our appraisal and exploration activities over coming seasons.

“I would also like to thank Michael for his substantial contribution to the 88 Energy business, culture and people over the past seven years and would also like to welcome my fellow new Non-Executive Director, Joanne Kendrick, and our new COO, Rob Benkovic, to the 88 Energy team. I look forward to working with Ashley Gilbert, Managing Director, and collectively we will continue to strive to grow and realise maximum value from our asset base for our shareholders.”

Former 88 Energy Non-Executive Chairman, Michael Evans, added:
“After some seven years as Chairman and in recognition of the importance of Board renewal and succession planning, it is time I stepped down. I do so in the belief that today 88E is one of the most accomplished operators in Alaska and on the cusp of significant success. I welcome both Phil and Joanne to the Board and believe their credentials and experience will be invaluable in taking 88E to the next level. I have enjoyed my time at 88E and wish the entire team the success they deserve.”

KeyFacts Energy: 88 Energy US Alaska country profile