Touchstone Exploration Inc. is pleased to announce that effective March 5, 2014 Mr. Michael Loewen has been appointed as the new Country Manager for Touchstone's wholly owned Trinidad subsidiary company, Territorial Services Limited ("Territorial"). Mr. Loewen is a Petroleum Engineer with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and 9 years of experience internationally in Cuba, Argentina and Albania. Over the last 10 years Mr. Loewen has spent the majority of time working for Sherritt International and Petro Andina Resources in positions varying from Managing Director to Director, Operations. Mr. Loewen has outstanding management and leadership skills, which were an integral part in increasing gross production from approximately 2,000 barrels per day to 28,000 barrels per day on a previous international project.
In conjunction, Touchstone is pleased to announce that Territorial Service's current Country Manager, Jim Krissa, has been appointed to Chairman of Territorial, Trinidad. Mr. Krissa has been with Territorial for over 10 years and had been a significant influence in stewarding the Company's success. He has assisted Territorial in its growth from 130 barrels per day to an average of 1,750 barrels per day over the last 3 years. The Company now employs 130 people in Trinidad and owns 22 blocks, 11 of which are producing. The Company has also been successful in the 2013 onshore bid round for the Ortoire Block. Mr. Krissa will play an active role in Territorial within his new position and will be a valuable part of the continued growth of the Company.