The ROGTEC Interview: Ken Gardiner from Seismic Micro-Technology Europe, Ltd
What is your position in the company and how long have you held this?
I manage the Seismic Micro-Technology Europe Ltd. operations based in Croydon, U.K. and am the Vice President European, African and Russian Operations. I joined SMT just over 7 years ago to open up our first international office and we have been aggressively growing the business since then.
How long have you been in business in Russia and the Caspian?
We have covered business opportunities in Russia for more than 15 years. In Fourth Quarter 2005 the Croydon office took on board Pavel Morozov to cover sales in Russia and the former Soviet Union Countries. The success of this business led us to open a full sales and support office in Russia, based in Moscow. This was opened in mid-2008 with Nikolay Kutsenko as Country Manager and ably supported by several staff members.
What companies have you worked with in the Region?
We have worked with quite a number of different sized companies both based in Russia and operating in the CIS region, additionally having good relationships with a number of companies in Kazakhstan. These include such companies as the Rosneft group of companies, the KazmunaiGaz Group, Lukoil Overseas, PGS, CGG and Fugro. In total, there are more than 70 we have worked with in the region.
What is your most recent success in the market?
SMT has enjoyed continued business success with Gazprom companies, working on both Russian and International projects, and Rosneft and developed business opportunities with Zarubezhneft and AGIP KCO as well as Block N Operating Company.
Have you and any recent product launches for the region?
We have had a number of releases that offer new functionality that is critical for this region. For example, we released a new product line called KINGDOM Advanced that is specifically tailored for the types of organizational needs in this region. And with our upcoming release, we plan to have Russian language support for our geoscience solutions.
What is your favourite band and track?
My current favourite band and track of the moment has to be driving music such as Chris Rea and «The Road to Hell» so I can enjoy getting out in a Nissan GTR which I just bought 6-weeks ago. And yes it’s a great car to drive.
Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?
I enjoy travel, but as I am always on the move for business, the place(s) I most like to visit are holiday destinations such as the South Luangwa Valley in Zambia for safaris and great, but infrequent, spotting of leopards.
What is your favourite sport, and what team do you support?
My favourite sport is both a leisure activity, and as everyone will appreciate, a frustrating game, golf. I am a member of Banstead Downs Golf Club in Surrey. As regards a team sport I enjoy football and watching Manchester United play.
What are your thoughts on the Russian oil and gas market through to the end of this year and beyond?
The steadying of the world’s economies and the steady rise in the price of oil to a reasonable but sustainable level has benefited all countries where oil exploration and development is carried out. Particularly in Russia where there are large un-tapped areas to be explored. The current economic climate in Russia makes it feasible to carry out oil exploration and bring new projects online and will definitely benefit the Russian oil and gas market through 2010 and beyond.
