GeoPark’s new CEO Felipe Bayon formerly served as the CEO of Latin American energy major Ecopetrol from 2017 to 2023. (Source: Shutterstock)
Colombia-based E&P GeoPark Ltd. has named Felipe Bayon as its new CEO and board member, succeeding Andrés Ocampo, effective June 1.
Bayon holds over 30 years of international oil and gas industry experience, according to GeoPark’s April 24 press release.
From 2017 to 2023, Bayon served as CEO of Latin American energy major Ecopetrol, where he oversaw the production of approximately 700,000 boe/d and revenues of over $30 billion, the release stated.
Bayon introduced Ecopetrol into the Permian Basin in July 2019 through a joint venture (JV) with Occidental Petroleum called Rodeo Midland Basin. The JV grew Ecopetrol’s footprint from 0 bbl/d to 150,000 bbl/d gross in four years, the company said.
RELATED
Oxy: Ecopetrol Declines to Buy Interests in Permian E&P CrownRock
He also led Ecopetrol’s involvement in Brazil’s ultradeep, presalt play through a partnership with Shell in October 2019.
Bayon is credited for driving Ecopetrol’s position in the Latin American power transmission sector and focused investments in renewable energies, water management and nature-based climate solutions, GeoPark said.
Prior to his tenure at Ecopetrol, Bayon began his career in 1991 with Shell in field operations and projects. He then moved to BP where he worked for 21 years in operational and management roles in Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, the U.S. and the U.K.
“The board is very pleased to welcome Felipe Bayon to GeoPark,” said Sylvia Escovar, chair of GeoPark’s board of directors. “We believe he will be a catalyst to unlock the abundant opportunities in our region and drive us to transformational growth. Felipe is a true explorer, operator and consolidator—in line with GeoPark’s founding vision—and is committed to taking us forward to achieve our long-term strategic goals and make GeoPark into a larger, stronger and more successful company.”
Ocampo, who served as GeoPark CEO for three years and CFO for over eight years, will continue to support the company during the transition, the company said.
“It’s been a privilege and joy to be part of the GeoPark story for all these years,” Ocampo said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with and learn from so many exceptional people, and proud of what we have achieved together.”
Recommended Reading
PE Firm Andros Capital Partners Closes $1 Billion Energy Fund
2025-04-07 - Andros Capital Partners maintains a flexible investment mandate, allowing the firm to invest opportunistically across the capital structure in both public and private equity or debt securities.
Money Talks: First Horizon's Investment Thesis on Oil, Gas
2025-04-20 - Macro events must be part of the investment thesis in a global commodities business, says Moni Collins, senior vice president for energy lending at First Horizon Bank.
Q&A: Pearl Energy Investments Rides the Downturns for 250% ROI
2025-02-25 - Billy Quinn, founder and managing director of Pearl Energy Investments, leads a team that thrives amid the oil and gas investment cycles.
Money Talks: BOK Financial on Bid-Ask Spread Challenges to M&A
2025-05-08 - Commodity price volatility is making it difficult to close the bid-ask spread between buyers and sellers, BOK Financial’s Cristina Stellar tells Hart Energy.
Money Talks: Texas Capital Bank on How to Deploy Capital Amid Shrinkage
2025-04-22 - In an uncertain macro environment, caution is necessary in deploying capital, says Marc Graham, managing director and head of energy at Texas Capital Bank.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.