Expertise in Energy
Development
Leveraging cutting-edge technology and industry-leading expertise to discover, develop, and deliver energy resources that power economic growth and improve lives.
Years of Experience
30
+
Barrels Discovered
6
B+
Global Projects
15
B+
Expert Team Members
200
+
Our Expertise
Exploration and Production (E&P) Capabilities
Mashak Petroleum specializes in upstream exploration and production activities, utilizing advanced geophysical and geological methods to identify and develop energy reserves. With an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, we ensure the efficient extraction and production of oil and gas to meet global energy needs.
Technological Innovations in Oil and Gas
Mashak Petroleum specializes in upstream exploration and production activities, utilizing advanced geophysical and geological methods to identify and develop energy reserves. With an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, we ensure the efficient extraction and production of oil and gas to meet global energy needs.
Technological Innovations in Oil and Gas
People
Planet
Profit
At the core of our operations is a strong focus on sustainability. Mashak Petroleum employs eco-friendly practices to ensure minimal disruption to the environment. Our initiatives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, responsible waste management, and investing in renewable energy research to complement our operations.
Dr. Kodindouma Mbaiedoum
Chairman
Energy Executive | Infrastructure Strategist | Government Affairs Specialist
Dr. Mbaiedoum has held senior leadership and advisory roles with organizations including ExxonMobil, Moncrief Oil & Gas, Ciiveden Petroleum, and Nearshore Natural Gas. His work has shaped major upstream developments across Central Africa, particularly in Chad, where he has led concession negotiations, environmental compliance efforts, and public-private partnerships. He played a pivotal role in the implementation of compressed natural gas (CNG) solutions and power generation from flared gas.
A trained civil engineer with a Ph.D. in Smart Structures from New Mexico State University, Dr. Mbaiedoum is fluent in English, French, and Arabic, and brings deep insight into Production Sharing Contracts (PSC), cross-border infrastructure, and local content development. His career is marked by a commitment to sustainable development, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder collaboration in complex geopolitical environments.
Dr. Paul Sam
CEO
Chief Executive Officer | Global Energy Strategist | Project & Operations Leader
Dr. Paul Sam is a seasoned executive and global operations leader with over 37 years of experience driving innovation, operational efficiency, and strategic growth across the energy and technology sectors. He currently serves as CEO of Mashak Petroleum, LLC, where he leads the acquisition and development of global hydrocarbon assets, technology deployment, and investment portfolios. He is also CEO of Throttle Energy, LLC, overseeing global expansion and the company's technology roadmap.
Dr. Sam's diverse background spans executive leadership, engineering project management, and supply chain transformation. His earlier roles include senior leadership positions at BP/Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, and Compaq, where he managed multi-billion-dollar server product launches, global supply chain initiatives, and large cross-functional teams. His technical foundation includes expertise in manufacturing operations, logistics, and high-volume production environments.
A certified PMP and APICS-CPIM, Dr. Sam holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management (IT Management), along with multiple master's degrees in business and international trade. He has led multi-regional teams, managed over 200 employees, and consistently delivered high-impact results across oil & gas, energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Curtis Cohen
CTO
Energy Executive | E&P Specialist | Global Dealmaker
Curtis Cohen is a veteran oil and gas executive with over 30 years of international experience in upstream operations, M&A, and strategic leadership. He has played a central role in the discovery and development of over 6 billion barrels of oil reserves across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, working with industry majors such as ExxonMobil, Pogo Producing, Saipem Energy, and Brittania-U Nigeria.
As former Managing Director of Sahara Energy, Curtis spearheaded the company's transformation into a major Nigerian producer, growing net oil production from 2,500 to 8,000 bbl/d through successful field development and landmark acquisitions, including OML 18 from Shell and the $1.4B acquisition of Usan from Total. At Brittania-U, he led a production turnaround, doubling output through the company's first horizontal well.
His technical foundation is backed by the drilling of over 100 wells worldwide and deep expertise in basin analysis, seismic interpretation, unconventional resources, and frontier exploration. Curtis has held leadership roles across ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, Australia, and Europe, and served as GM Latin America for Terralliance. An expert in upstream strategy, asset valuation, and deal execution, Curtis has successfully led multi-billion-dollar M&A transactions, field development planning, and cross-border joint ventures. He has served on the Board of Alberta Oilsands (TSX-V) and brings a powerful blend of technical depth, commercial acumen, and global insight to every venture.
Kolawole Akinmuyiwa
COO / VP BDM
Strategic Planner | Business Development Executive | Multisector Entrepreneur
Kolawole Akinmuyiwa is a versatile business strategist and growth-focused executive with over a decade of leadership across diverse sectors including energy, telecommunications, healthcare, real estate, consumer goods, and media. With proven expertise in strategic planning, brand management, public relations, and market expansion, he has delivered measurable results for both startups and multinational organizations across Africa and the United States.
He currently serves in leadership roles across several ventures, including Throttle Energy, Trust Of Healthcare, KEA Telecom, and Afrocentrik Television, where he combines business acumen with a passion for community empowerment and diaspora engagement. Kolawole's career is marked by a unique ability to scale businesses, broker high-level partnerships, and bridge global markets through innovative, people-centered solutions.
Kolawole is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), a licensed Texas real estate agent, and holds multiple certifications in business analysis, IT project management, and fire safety logistics. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University in Mathematics, he also studied project management and business strategy at Villanova University in the U.S. He is a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his philanthropic contributions and service to community development.
Eric Ofori Amoako
Legal Counsel
Senior Energy Law Specialist | Negotiations Advisor | International Legal Counsel
Eric Ofori Amoako is a seasoned legal expert with over 30 years of experience in international energy law, oil and gas negotiations, and cross-border advisory. He has advised both private energy multinationals and national governments on upstream contracts, LNG infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and arbitration.
Currently serving as Negotiations Advisor to the Ghana National Gas Company, Eric leads strategic discussions on gas monetization, joint ventures, and infrastructure development. His earlier roles include Counsel at Conoco Inc., where he supported upstream ventures across Africa and Eastern Europe, and Of Counsel at Richards Law Firm, advising on African energy transactions and dispute resolution.
Eric is dual-qualified in law and public affairs, with degrees from the University of Houston, University of Texas at Austin, and UNC-Chapel Hill. A certified energy arbitrator, he brings deep expertise in PSCs, JOAs, and government negotiations, making him a trusted legal strategist for high-stakes energy matters.
Tony Animadu
CFO
Chief Financial Officer | Petroleum Economist | Financial Strategist
Tony Animadu is a seasoned financial executive with over 25 years of experience in petroleum economics, investment banking, and financial management across the African energy sector. As CFO, he oversees all financial strategy, planning, and reporting for Mashak Petroleum, driving capital efficiency and sustainable growth through disciplined financial leadership.
Prior to joining Mashak, Tony held senior finance positions at Texaco Nigeria, Oando Plc, and Sterling Bank, where he led numerous successful capital raises, debt restructurings, and financial transformations. His expertise spans petroleum fiscal regime analysis, economic modeling, risk management, and strategic investment planning across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Lagos, alongside advanced certifications in petroleum economics from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. His financial acumen is complemented by technical knowledge in reservoir economics, production sharing agreements, and energy project finance.
Dr. A. Ofori Quaah
E&P Strategist
Exploration Advisor | Energy Market Specialist | Partnership Broker
Dr. A. Ofori Quaah is a distinguished petroleum geologist and geophysicist with over 40 years of experience in exploration strategy, field development, and basin analysis across North and West Africa. He has played instrumental roles in major discoveries exceeding 2.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent throughout the Gulf of Guinea and interior basins, working with international operators including Shell, BP, and GNPC.
As Exploration & Production Strategist, Dr. Quaah leads Mashak's geological and geophysical assessments, prospect generation, and new venture screening, applying integrated approaches to both mature and frontier basins. His technical leadership spans conventional and unconventional resource plays, with particular expertise in syn-rift petroleum systems, deepwater turbidites, and pre-salt exploration plays.
Dr. Quaah holds a Ph.D. in Petroleum Geology from Imperial College London and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on West African petroleum systems. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Ghana's Earth Science Department and regularly advises African energy ministries on resource management and exploration policies.
Technical Team
Our technical team brings specialized expertise across all aspects of petroleum exploration, development, and production
Mujeeb Babajide Oke
Oil & Gas Executive
Subsurface Specialist | Innovation Leader
Mujeeb Babajide Oke is a seasoned oil and gas professional with over 20 years of technical, commercial, and leadership experience across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. He is a recognized expert in subsurface evaluation, asset development planning, and field appraisal, with a proven track record of delivering high success rates in challenging exploration environments.
A value-driven leader, Mujeeb has led multidisciplinary teams, developed organizational standards, and driven innovation—including over a decade of applying artificial intelligence to oilfield operations. His work consistently reduces business risk, enhances performance, and creates sustainable value in the energy sector.
Olutayo Ajimoko
Well Engineering Expert
Project Manager | Innovation Advocate
Olutayo Ajimoko is a seasoned upstream oil and gas professional with over 20 years of experience spanning technical, operational, and business domains. With a career that includes working with multinational operators across Ghana, Nigeria, Oman, and Angola, he brings deep expertise in well engineering, project management, and full-cycle oil and gas value delivery.
Olutayo has led complex well delivery projects and contributed to major organizational transformations as a consultant. He is recognized for pioneering innovative models that enhance well and capital efficiency, with several patents pending and numerous technical papers presented at international industry conferences.
He holds a B.Eng in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Benin and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Wales. A committed professional, he is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Vigen Ghazarian
Reservoir Engineering Expert
Global Energy Consultant | Technical Trainer
Vigen Ghazarian is a senior reservoir and production engineering professional with over 30 years of global experience across major oil and gas markets, including North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. He has held technical and leadership roles at industry giants such as ConocoPhillips and Chevron, as well as with leading energy consulting firms.
His core expertise spans the entire oil and gas project lifecycle, from exploration to development and production optimization. Vigen specializes in field development planning, reservoir simulation, uncertainty management, economic evaluation, and reserves booking. His analytical rigor and deep technical insight have made him a trusted expert in transient well testing, including test design, execution, interpretation, and advanced training.
A respected mentor and instructor, Vigen has delivered reservoir engineering training programs to professionals across the globe, helping to build technical capacity within both NOCs and IOCs. With a rare blend of field experience, strategic thinking, and teaching acumen, Vigen brings exceptional value to upstream teams, boards, and organizations seeking to maximize reservoir performance and commercial value.
Wale Alabi
Energy Executive
Chemical & Reservoir Engineer | Business Strategist
Wale Alabi is a seasoned Petrochemical Engineer with over 18 years of cross-functional experience spanning process engineering, reservoir management, production operations, and business development across Nigeria's oil and gas value chain. His career reflects a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership, with a proven ability to drive innovation and growth in both engineering and corporate environments.
Currently serving as Production Manager for a Nigerian marginal field and as Business Development Manager for an oilfield services firm, Wale also acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), delivering executive training sessions for multinational clients such as Procter & Gamble (P&G) and General Electric (GE), through global relocation and training leader Cartus.
Wale has led and facilitated subsea engineering workshops for Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in collaboration with JEL Ltd., and remains actively involved in capacity building and knowledge transfer within the industry. An advocate for sustainable energy, Wale partners with finance and technical stakeholders to develop low-carbon and green energy projects, including LNG, gas-to-liquid (GTL), and gas-to-power ventures. With strong ties to project and equipment finance institutions, he supports the execution of bankable, scalable projects in Nigeria and beyond.
Wale holds professional memberships with the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSCHE), the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and the Oil & Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN). He brings a powerful mix of technical depth, entrepreneurial vision, and business acumen to every initiative he undertakes.
Anselm O. Okeahialam
Energy Executive
Subsurface Leader | Strategic Operations Specialist
Anselm O. Okeahialam is a highly experienced oil and gas executive with over 25 years of technical and leadership expertise across upstream operations, exploration, and field development. He has held senior roles at Chevron Nigeria Limited, where he led key development and exploration projects resulting in dozens of successful wells and major reserves validation initiatives.
Currently the Managing Director of Well Specialists Nigeria Ltd, Anselm drives operational excellence, field performance optimization, and stakeholder engagement for indigenous and international clients. He brings deep knowledge of subsurface evaluation, well planning, geosteering, and project execution, alongside a strong track record in mentoring, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance.
Anselm is a respected industry contributor, having presented peer-reviewed papers at major conferences, and is actively involved in community health and education programs. He is a member of COMEG, AAPG, NAPE, and NMGS.
Timothy Jaiyeoba
Strategist
Regulatory Affairs Expert | Organizational Leader
Timothy is a results-driven strategist with a distinguished career spanning regulatory affairs, organizational transformation, and strategic execution within the oil and gas industry. With a background grounded in rigorous education and professional training, he brings a powerful blend of analytical foresight, high emotional intelligence, and operational leadership to every engagement.
His areas of expertise include Regulatory Compliance and Government Relations, Strategy Development and Execution, Employee and Industrial Relations, Organizational Design, Project and Cost Management, and Leadership Development.
Timothy has played a critical role in securing high-stakes regulatory approvals, including the conversion and extension of OPLs, OMLs, and PSCs. Most notably, he successfully led the conversion of OPL 90 to OML 126 without any acreage relinquishment—an initiative that saved Addax Petroleum over $60 million. His leadership was instrumental in obtaining key DPR approvals that ensured seamless operations for the company.
Known for his ability to navigate complex challenges, Timothy is a trusted advisor during moments of uncertainty, offering calm, strategic direction grounded in experience, integrity, and a deep understanding of stakeholder dynamics.