Oil industry veteran Len Chaikind has joined Western Oil Exploration Co.’s board of advisers as chairman, the Las Vegas-based company said April 16. 

Len Chaikind
Len Chaikind

Chaikind has an extensive background in oil and gas international relations, including working for Royal Dutch Shell Plc for over 35 years.

As chairman of the Western Oil Exploration board, Chaikind will be advising the company in its relationships with global oil companies, both private and sovereign, and helping with investor relations.

In a statement commenting on the appointment, Larry Ortega, CEO of Western Oil Exploration, said: “We’re so pleased to have Len join our team. His level of experience and his connections are vast. He’ll be a powerful addition.”

While with Shell, Chaikind worked in a wide variety of assignments. He was appointed regional treasurer for Shell operations in the Far East and Australasia negotiating and financing over $50 billion of both corporate and major project activities, according to a release from Western Oil Exploration.

Additionally, Chaikind developed many significant relationships with key government officials and financial institutions in, Brunei, China, Yemen, France, Switzerland, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. He also served as an active member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Advisory Board.

Since leaving Shell, Chaikind has worked with tax-exempt funds, including healthcare, pension plans and social security reforms, and still maintains a strong presence in Washington, D.C., the company release said.

Western Oil Exploration focuses on using unique technologies to optimally drill for oil, NGL and natural gas. The company is currently working on a prospect in Nevada using its proprietary technologies, which it said has the potential to produce more than 1 billion boe.

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