Ahmad Faisal Bakar serves as the Vice President of Exploration at PETRONAS, where he is responsible for steering the company’s global exploration portfolio. In this role, he leads strategic initiatives and ensures the successful identification and development of new oil and gas resources around the world. A dynamic and forward-thinking leader, Faisal brings over 23 years of industry experience, including more than a decade in senior leadership positions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Geophysics from Michigan Technological University and is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Faisal began his career as a geophysicist, contributing to key projects across diverse regions including Yemen, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Mozambique. Over the years, he has taken on several pivotal leadership roles, including Head of Strategy & Portfolio and Head of PETRONAS International Ventures in Mexico and Brunei. In 2022, as the Senior General Manager of Exploration Malaysia Ventures, Faisal played a key role in revitalizing Malaysia’s exploration sector. His leadership led to significant resource additions, unlocking potential in mature basins and rekindling investor interest in domestic exploration. Through the implementation of innovative strategies and a collaborative approach to prospecting, drilling, and field development, PETRONAS recorded over 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in new resource additions—solidifying its position in shaping the future of Malaysia’s upstream sector. With comprehensive expertise across the entire oil and gas value chain—from exploration and development to production—Faisal has consistently demonstrated strong commercial acumen. His ability to engage effectively with supermajors, independents, and private equity-backed entities has driven transformational strategies and fostered the growth of high-performing teams. Widely recognized as an innovative strategist and organizational catalyst, Faisal continues to be a key driver of PETRONAS’ global ambitions. His deep international experience, including collaboration with regulators and legal systems across multiple jurisdictions, underscores his commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the evolving global energy landscape.