Who Kiel is
Kiel Consultants is a PNG-rooted consultancy providing technical, advisory and field support services to the geoscience, energy and infrastructure sectors. We work closely with international operators, oilfield service companies, mineral explorers, EPC contractors, government stakeholders, SMLI-GEDSI experts and landowner organisations to deliver solutions that are both technically sound and locally practical.
With experience across wellsite operations, geoscience exploration, energy studies, infrastructure advisory and HSE systems, Kiel brings a disciplined, systems-driven approach aligned with international standards while remaining responsive to Papua New Guinea’s unique project conditions.
Papuan basin surface & subsurface logging work: PNG Main Fold & Thrust Belt, Foreland and Offshore Gulf of Papua (2007–2020)
Key attributes that define Kiel’s capability and delivery approach
Experienced leadership and multidisciplinary technical capability
Kiel Consultants is led by experienced Papua New Guinean professionals supported by a multidisciplinary technical team and international advisory network. Together, the team combines deep local knowledge with global industry experience to deliver structured, reliable and technically sound project outcomes.
Strategic leadership and technical oversight
Barney Wellip
Managing Director | Principal Specialist
Senior petroleum and energy specialist with over 20 years of experience across upstream resource projects, drilling operations, geoscience delivery, renewable energy surveys and feasibility studies, field systems deployment, and client-facing project execution. Barney has supported major PNG developments including PNGLNG and continues to provide integrated technical and advisory services across the energy and resources sector.
Education: Bachelor of Science (Geophysics), University of Papua New Guinea (1999). Additional industry training in Data Engineering, Data Analytics and SCADA Systems.
Boas Kota
Director | Drilling Engineering
Veteran drilling engineer with over 28 years in well design, pressure control, operational supervision, regulatory compliance, and upstream oil, gas and LNG project delivery in PNG. Boas has held senior roles on complex drilling campaigns including the Elk-Antelope and associated exploration programs for InterOil in the Eastern Papuan basin.
Education: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Papua New Guinea University of Technology (1992); Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University (2004).
Pala Gaudi
Director | Geological Operations
Senior wellsite geologist with over 25 years of experience supporting drilling operations, geological interpretation, and subsurface decision-making for operators including Chevron and Oil Search. Extensive field experience across PNG, Australia, and the Middle East, with strong capability in real-time drilling support and formation evaluation.
Education: Bachelor of Science (Geology), University of Papua New Guinea (1996).
Project execution and specialist support capability
Martin Warek
Civil & Geotechnical Engineer
Civil and geotechnical engineer with extensive experience in infrastructure delivery, geotechnical investigations, and project management across remote and logistically challenging environments in PNG. Strong working knowledge of PNG Department of Works standards and international frameworks including FIDIC (Green Book), supporting structured and compliant EPC project execution.
Education: Master of Disaster Management, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies; Postgraduate Diploma in Tsunami Disaster Mitigation, International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (2013); Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Papua New Guinea University of Technology (1999).
Stanley Pono
Geophysicist & Regulatory Advisor
Experienced geophysicist and regulatory advisor with deep knowledge of PNG’s petroleum sector across the full project lifecycle-from exploration through development and regulatory oversight. Stanley has contributed to offshore seismic programs in the Gulf of Papua and frontier basins, and previously served as Director within the Exploration Branch of the Department of Petroleum & Energy.
Education: Bachelor of Science (Physics), University of Papua New Guinea; PETRAD Diploma in Petroleum Development and Operations Management, Stavanger, Norway (1996); Master of Science in Energy Studies (Petroleum, Mineral Law & Policy), University of Dundee (2000).
Nick Jackson
Petroleum & Energy Consultant
Provides international advisory and technical backstopping to Kiel Consultants through Elemental Group, supporting access to multidisciplinary expertise across power systems, oil and gas, and LNG project lifecycles-from exploration through to production. Brings global experience in geology, resource evaluation, and integrated energy project delivery.
Education: Bachelor of Science (Geology) and Master of Science (First Class Honours), Victoria University of Wellington (2000).