Second-generation geophysicist Dr. Richard Wright, Nalcor Energy’s oil and gas exploration manager, was presented the early accomplishment award by the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador this week.
The award is presented to a PEGNL member who is early in their careers but has accomplished much in their field while also being a leader within the profession or community.
“Richard is driven by his passion for his profession but just as equally by his passion for this province,” Jim Keating, Nalcor’s executive vice president, offshore development, and corporate services, stated in a prepared release. “Throughout the last nine years, Richard has lead a team of explorers that are focused every day on opening new areas for industry exploration and potential future development for our province. As a result of that commitment, we are just starting to understand the full potential of our resources and the role they will play in building a strong future for our province.”
Since joining Nalcor, Wright and his team found and presented to industry a new play trend in the West Orphan Basin that subsequently in 2016 received bids from the global industry of over $460 million, as well as inventorying over 650 leads and prospects in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore.
“While we can’t change the resources that ultimately lie in our offshore basins, our team is applying rigorous exploration best practices and technical innovation to ensure we systematically evaluate every square kilometer of our offshore basins to find new oil and gas resources for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Wright stated.
