Jorge Barron
Oil And Gas Executive
Madrid,E
Summary
Visionary Oil and Gas executive with over 25 years of progressive experience, recognized for a proven track record in leading Production and Decommissioning assets, including a global Drilling and Completions organization with a robust HSE focus. Expertise in driving operational excellence, achieving significant cost savings, and optimizing performance across diverse international environments. Strong advocate for data-driven decision-making and digital transformation, leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and minimize non-productive time. Strategic leader passionate about the industry's pivotal role in the energy transition, dedicated to delivering best-in-class results while cultivating strong teams and promoting sustainable practices.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Global Director of Operations and Engineering
Repsol
10.2025 - Current
- Accountability and Governance for the functions of Production, Engineering, Facilities, Maintenance, Integrity, Projects, Logistics and Asset Management.
- Governance, Digital Transformation and Discipline Management for Repsol global assets.
- Cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to facilitate smooth execution of projects.
- Provided leadership and guidance to multicultural teams, promoting a positive work environment and employee engagement.
- Spearheaded process improvement initiatives that led to increased productivity and reduced operational bottlenecks.
- Assessed and analyzed departmental budgets to find ways to minimize expenses.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
Chief Operating Officer
Repsol Resources UK
09.2024 - 10.2025
- Operate 11 offshore installations, 1 FPSO & 2 Onshore terminals.
- Accountable for all operations in all assets, production, wells and Decommissioning.
- As well as Real time center, Maintenance, Integrity, Projects, logistics, facilities and construction disciplines.
- Assets include: producing oil fields, COP and decommissioning phase.
- Transformed business by re-engineering process and procedures spearheading major organizational restructuring. achieving a considerable reduction in sizing and spend with maximum safety standards.
- Increased operational transparency, introducing advanced reporting systems that provided real-time insights into performance metrics.
- 40k BBL/Day, 1Billion USD annual budget, with 600M OPEX, 1200 headcount.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations to keep organization running safely and efficiently while meeting business goals.
- Mentored team members by sharing knowledge, offering guidance, and providing constructive feedback; fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization.
- Streamlined operations by implementing efficient processes and systems, leading to increased productivity and cost savings.
- Ensured regulatory compliance in line with industry best practices to mitigate operational risks.
Chief Decommissioning and Wells Officer
Repsol Resources UK
11.2023 - 09.2024
- Set up execute decommissioning strategy with a reduction of 1Billion USD in asset retirement obligations.
- Managed all well work, platform drilling, semi sub and interventions.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making techniques to inform strategic planning processes and measure progress towards goals.
- Managed departmental budgets effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for necessary equipment and training.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
Global Director Drilling and Completions
Repsol
04.2018 - 11.2023
- Global Leadership & Strategy: Spearheaded a global Drilling & Completions organization of 500 employees (contract & staff), accountable for strategic vision, discipline management, engineering, technical authority, HSE, operations, performance management and financial discipline.
- Operational Scope: Oversee exploration and development D&C activities in deep water, shallow water, land, remote, Arctic and unconventional environments across operated and non-operated assets world wide.
- Digital Transformation: Transformed global drilling discipline into a centralized operating model integrating data driven decisions from real-time operating center at headquarters. Standardized procedures, practices and reporting systems to capitalize on data analytics and AI for operational optimization.
- Efficiency & Cost Reduction: Significantly improved operational efficiency by reducing Non-Productive Time (NPT), preventing unforeseen events and protecting a $1.2 -$1.5 Billion annual capital spend.
- Set and oversaw financial and business management structures.
Global Director of Exploration Drilling
Repsol
04.2016 - 04.2018
- Exploration Leadership: Appointed to lead global Exploration Drilling activities for the company, reporting directly to the Executive Director of Global Exploration.
- Division Establishment: Established and implemented a new exploration drilling division, complete with integrated HSE, supply chain, logistics and performance management functions.
- Stakeholder collaboration: Enhanced working relationships with subsurface teams, leading to improved well objective delivery.
- Global Project Delivery: Successfully managed multicultural and diverse teams across projects in Asia Pacific, Australia, North and South America, Africa, Russia and Europe, including operations in remote new country entries and established environments.
- Budgetary Achievement: Delivered 100% of Exploration activities under budget in the first year, a significant achievement for the company.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
Drilling Manager
Repsol Sinopec
01.2015 - 04.2016
- Advanced Drilling Operations: Managed Pre-Salt Drilling campaign utilizing a sixth generation drillship.
- Performance Improvement: Significantly improved operational performance of the campaign, leveraging a steep learning curve to create substantial value for the joint venture.
- Joint Venture oversight: Directed all D&C activities for the joint venture in Ultra deep water Environments (2800 m WD).
- Oversaw cost control measures during drilling projects, resulting in reduced expenses without sacrificing quality or safety standards.
Offshore Drilling & Completions Manager
Repsol
12.2012 - 01.2015
- New Country entry: Spearheaded new country entry operations in Angola, establishing project team, engineering, operations, HSE, SCM, logistics and cost tracking.
- Deep Water Operations: Managed Deep Water drilling in pre-salt Kwanza basin with a sixth generation drillship (1500 m WD).
Offshore Drilling Manager
Repsol
12.2011 - 12.2012
- Complex Operations: Managed Deep Water drilling with semi-submersible in Cuban waters.
- Regulatory Compliance: Developed and Implemented complex engineering and SCM strategies to successfully fulfill demanding US embargo requirements.
Offshore Drilling Manager
YPF (Repsol Joint Venture)
05.2008 - 12.2011
- Seconded into Argentine unit of company to develop offshore blocks.
- Team & Infrastructure Build – out: Recruited and established an offshore drilling team and infrastructure.
- Process Implementation: Developed and implemented offshore processes and procedures in a company with a legacy land based operational environment.
- Exploration Campaigns: Successfully drilled shallow water exploration campaigns in San Jorge Basin and Deep Water Malvinas (Falklands) prospect using sixth generation drillship in challenging harsh weather environment of South Atlantic conditions.
- Stakeholder Management: Navigated demanding interactions and reporting requirements with local authorities.
Wells Team leader
BG Group
05.2001 - 05.2008
- Led cross-functional teams to execute projects on time, within budget, and with high-quality outcomes.
- Developed from a Senior Drilling engineer to, Superintendent and Team Leader
- Initially managing land rigs in South America to Semisubmersibles in the North Sea.
- Collaborated with other department leaders to establish shared goals and ensure alignment across teams.
- Optimized resource allocation, ensuring projects were delivered within budget and scope.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure cost-effective resources, positively impacting project budgets.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Drilling Engineer
Repsol YPF
06.1997 - 06.2001
- Developed as a Drilling engineer at wellsite and office.
- Planned and executed well programs, performed roles of wellsite drilling engineer and company man.
- Prepared drilling budget and reconciled drilling expenditures against ACV.
- Collaborated with geoscientists to analyze subsurface data, informing accurate well placement decisions.
- Optimized drilling operations for enhanced safety and minimal environmental impact.
- Conducted risk assessments for all drilling activities, implementing mitigation plans as needed.
Production Engineer
Vintage Petroleum
04.1994 - 06.1997
- Production Plant Operator at a Gas processing facility
- Well Services Supervisor
- Pipeline construction foreman
- Managed production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products while maintaining high quality standards.
- Performed root cause analysis and implemented corrective actions.
- Provided technical support to troubleshoot equipment issues, minimizing downtime and maintaining production targets.
- Communicated with other team members to enhance process and performance.
Education
Business And Management
07.2015
Executive education tailored for Repsol Managers prior to executive appointments.
CMI Level 5 Qualification -
05.2008
London and Sao Paulo Management program tailored for international employees in junior manager roles.
Bachelor of Science - Petroleum Engineering
12.1993
Certificate - Artificial Intelligence: Implications For Business
05.2018
Skills
Talent acquisition
Strategic planning
Organizational development
Digital transformation
Risk mitigation
Global operations management
Cross-functional team leadership
Analytical skills
Interests
Golf, Running, Reading
Timeline
Global Director of Operations and Engineering - Repsol
10.2025 - Current
Chief Operating Officer - Repsol Resources UK
09.2024 - 10.2025
Chief Decommissioning and Wells Officer - Repsol Resources UK
11.2023 - 09.2024
Global Director Drilling and Completions - Repsol
04.2018 - 11.2023
Global Director of Exploration Drilling - Repsol
04.2016 - 04.2018
Drilling Manager - Repsol Sinopec
01.2015 - 04.2016
Offshore Drilling & Completions Manager - Repsol
12.2012 - 01.2015
Offshore Drilling Manager - Repsol
12.2011 - 12.2012
Offshore Drilling Manager - YPF (Repsol Joint Venture)
05.2008 - 12.2011
Wells Team leader - BG Group
05.2001 - 05.2008
Drilling Engineer - Repsol YPF
06.1997 - 06.2001
Production Engineer - Vintage Petroleum
04.1994 - 06.1997
Texas Tech University - Bachelor of Science, Petroleum Engineering
ESADE Business School - , Business And Management
Chartered Institute of Management UK - CMI Level 5 Qualification,
MIT Management Executive Education - Certificate, Artificial Intelligence: Implications For Business