ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Dr. Andy Butler
A geologist by training, Andy Butler has 30 years’ experience in technical and commercial roles in the energy sector, working previously with Mitra Energy, BG Group and Hess. He founded SundaGas in 2016 and sold it into what is now Sunda Energy in 2021. Andy is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and an active member of SEAPEX, GESGB, SPE and AIEN. He has a Geology degree from the University of Oxford and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He is also an Independent Director of RH Petrogas Ltd, a Singapore-listed oil and gas production company operating in east Indonesia.
Prof. Ian Wright
Professor Ian Wright is a geologist, and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) at University of Canterbury and Research Director at the UK National Oceanography Centre. Ian has extensive experience in the fields of CO2 geosequestration, offshore infrastructure gas detection, and real-world CO2 gas-release experiments. His international energy experience includes North Sea CCS projects and a track-record of research translation and partnering with industry. He has previously been Chair of the New Zealand National Energy Research Institute, and member of UK Research Council Energy Programme Scientific Advisory Committee. He is leading natural hydrogen research at University of Canterbury.
Dr. Mac Beggs
Dr. Mac Beggs founded Petroleum Exploration and Prospecting Limited (PEP Ltd) in 2025 to develop opportunities in offshore New Zealand basins. Mac’s professional career began in 1982 as an exploration geologist developing prospects in the offshore Gulf of Mexico. In 1988 he returned to New Zealand joining the NZ Geological Survey petroleum and sedimentary basins team, becoming manager of the Hydrocarbons Group at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences in 1992. In 1997, he co-founded GeoSphere Ltd, undertaking consulting projects and business development activities. Mac convened the Oceans programme for the Centre for Advanced Engineering at the University of Canterbury for several years and in 2001 he served on a Ministerial Advisory Committee for Oceans Policy. He was appointed Exploration Manager for New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd in 2009, with responsibility for an extensive portfolio of projects in Taranaki and other New Zealand basins, and international business development which led to projects offshore Tunisia and in Sumatra, Indonesia. Leaving NZOG in 2016, Mac resumed consulting work and contributed to research at the University of Canterbury, as an Adjunct Professor. Besides petroleum exploration, he has experience with geothermal evaluations and geostorage, notably for hydrogen. In 2019, Mac Beggs was inducted into the New Zealand Petroleum Industry Hall of Fame.
Alex Karvelas
Alex Karvelas is the New Ventures Lead for the Asia region at SLB, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His role involves the origination, maturation, and promotion of upstream opportunities through regional subsurface datasets and integrated exploration studies to support strategic investments and business development initiatives across Asia. Previous positions include New Ventures Lead - Middle East and North Africa, Exploration Lead - Australasia and Geologist - Europe. Alex obtained his Masters in Petroleum Geoscience and Masters in Geology from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London.
Greg Ussher
Greg Ussher has 45 years of global experience in geothermal exploration and development, spanning all system types. Starting as a geophysicist, he advanced to resource evaluation, drilling, and development in both private and public sectors. He has played key roles in NZ development assistance initiatives in the Caribbean, Indonesia, and East Africa, focusing on project review and capacity building and has spent the last decade promoting the UNFC project classification system. He has been fortunate to be actively involved in recent advances in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and is now exploring their application in New Zealand and beyond.
Evelien Wallace
Evelien Wallace is an energy systems specialist with more than 16 years’ experience across petroleum geology, geothermal-adjacent innovation, and energy transition strategy in New Zealand. She has held subsurface roles with Shell New Zealand and Todd Energy, followed by positions spanning energy corporation sustainability and energy innovation within the broader energy sector. Her work focuses on translating subsurface knowledge into practical energy transition pathways, with particular emphasis on the intersection of geothermal development, petroleum legacy, and emerging energy systems. She brings a systems and strategy perspective to energy transition challenges and opportunities. Evelien is the Taranaki Regional Ambassador for the New Zealand Geothermal Association.
Kennie Tsui
Mrs Kennie Tsui joined the New Zealand Geothermal Association as Chief Executive Officer in July 2021. Prior to this, she was the Principal Analyst at the New Zealand Climate Change Commission, and was heavily involved with developing the independent report “Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa”. Tabled in Parliament in June 2021, this report provided recommendations to the Government on climate change actions in New Zealand. She has also held previous positions at various government departments including the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment. A professional chemical and process engineer by training, and also holding an Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification, Kennie has a wealth of knowledge across the energy sector built during her professional roles. She also holds a number of directorships in New Zealand in innovation, tourism, engineering and regional economic development sectors. In January 2025, Kennie Tsui was recognised as the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Zealand royal honours system for her service in environment and governance.
