(WO) — KEO Energy has appointed Philippe Bize as chief operating officer to oversee the establishment of its operations in Venezuela and support redevelopment plans for the PetroUrdaneta oil fields in the Maracaibo basin.
Bize will be based in Venezuela, where he will focus on preparing KEO Energy’s PetroUrdaneta operations and evaluating additional oil and gas investment opportunities in the country.
He brings 15 years of oil and gas industry experience, including upstream positions with TotalEnergies and Eneva. Bize previously held management consulting roles with Schlumberger Business Consulting and McKinsey & Company, advising international and national oil companies in Latin America. He began his career as a drilling engineer with Total E&P.
“His extensive upstream, operations and deal experience will strengthen our management team as we prepare the redevelopment of the PetroUrdaneta fields,” said Davide Tomassoni, CEO of KEO Energy.
PetroUrdaneta operates oil fields in northwestern Venezuela’s Maracaibo basin. The joint venture is 60% owned by state oil company PDVSA, while KEO Energy currently holds a 24% indirect interest.
In July 2026, KEO Capital signed a definitive agreement to acquire an additional 16% indirect interest in PetroUrdaneta for $37.5 million, which would increase its ownership to 40%. The transaction also includes a contingent payment of €18 million tied to cumulative production targets.
The appointment comes as KEO Energy prepares to expand its operational involvement in PetroUrdaneta and pursue additional upstream opportunities in Venezuela.
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