If there is one thing Shell executive Dexter Krol wants to encourage in young people in Dunedin and Otago, it is to study hard, because that is exactly what has taken him to some of the largest oil and gas fields on the planet.
Dr Krol was home in Dunedin for the funeral of his mother but he took time out to talk to the Otago Daily Times about his passions of studying and working hard - and the Highlanders winning the Super rugby competition this year.
From wherever he was in the world, Dr Krol followed the fortunes of the Highlanders, and he was revelling in their success. During his visit to Dunedin, he got to hold the Super 15 trophy, which was on display in the city.
But 35 or so years ago, Dr Krol was clocking up degrees without really having an idea of what he wanted to do with himself. He had been dux of Otago Boys' High School, a hockey representative at the school for four years and an international hockey player for New Zealand. He received a BSc with first-class honours in mathematics at the University of Otago and was awarded the Sir George Grey senior scholarship as the top science undergraduate.
Moving up to Auckland University, Dr Krol completed a PhD in engineering with a thesis on ''Exploitation of Geothermal Reservoirs'', one of the two renewable sources of energy in New Zealand. The other is hydro-electricity.
The field work was carried out around Taupo and the quality of that work meant he was awarded the Mitsui Educational Foundation scholarship to Japan.
''That gave me a strong interest in understanding the role of New Zealand in Asia. I decided to join a major oil company in New Zealand - Shell.''
For his first two years, Dr Krol gained experience on drilling rigs as a well-site petroleum engineer.
''I soon appreciated the work effort of the oil industry and what people had to do to keep the operation going.''
Next came a stint in the North Sea, where Dr Krol was instrumental in developing the Brent field, now known as the benchmark for setting oil prices around the world.
He has also developed large fields in Abu Dhabi and Oman and is now working on the world's largest oil project in Iran, Iraq and Algeria.
Looking back, Dr Krol estimates he has spent half of his career in the Middle East and half in the North Sea. His teams have developed oil and gas fields around the world.
Working in the Middle East meant he had to build up working relationships with national oil companies, he said. But each year he has returned to Dunedin.
''I'm very attached to Dunedin and Otago. This is my area and home and I am very proud of that attachment. I love the natural environment and the coast. I pull off State Highway 1 at Waikouaiti and head to the beach. It is a beautiful sight.''
Dr Krol also has a strong attachment to Otago Peninsula, where his grandfather Herbert Jenkins, a Gallipoli veteran, was a guard during World War 2.
During his last visit to Dunedin, Dr Krol spent time enjoying Tunnel Beach with his family.
The obvious question to ask was how Dr Krol felt about the prospects of oil and gas drilling being undertaken off the coast of Otago.
''I believe offshore and gas exploration can be undertaken in a safe and efficient way by major international operators respecting the natural environment.
''Energy is vital to daily life - it keeps cities across the world moving.''
Dunedin and Otago were very dependent on fuel for transport. In coming decades, the world population was set to increase markedly and people had aspirations of living standards taken for granted in Dunedin, he said.
That was why there needed to be continued responsible oil and gas exploration to meet the world's growing energy needs.
Asked if the current low oil price of below $US40 affected the exploration intentions of the large companies, Dr Krol said all companies looked at their investment in exploration, just like a corner dairy would also look at its inputs before making expansion plans.
Each case was judged on its merits.
And as he left to head back overseas, he again turned his attention to the Highlanders and other Otago sporting teams that he followed each day through the Otago Daily Times online.
''You can work globally and still be attached to your region. It is being local with a global address.''
Dexter Krol (60)
Married with three adult children
1968-72: Otago Boys' High School. Dux, New Zealand hockey representative.
1973-75: University of Otago. BSc (Hons 1st class mathematics), Sir George Grey senior scholarship.
1976-79: Auckland University, Faculty of Engineering. PhD engineering, Mitsui Educational Foundation scholarship to Japan.
1980-81: Well-site petroleum engineer, Shell BP Todd (New Plymouth), offshore exploration drilling, Kapuni and Maui well maintenance.
1981 onwards: Shell International exploration and production. Held variety of petroleum engineering, commercial, technical and new business development management roles in Shell companies worldwide.
At present pursuing super-giant oil and gas new business in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.
