International Focus Magazine Vol. 3, #10 | Page 46

where I originally belonged. It was
interesting because I got to learn a
lot about the oil & gas industry in
those years, and that is perfect for me
here in Houston serving as Consul
General. I work closely with the oil
companies here because I am used to
that industry. We have a good rela-
tionship with the major energy play-
ers, Exxon, Mobile, Marathon Oil,
Noble Energy. Hess sold its holdings
to Cosmos Energy which is based in
Dallas, but has a representative here
in Houston.
IF Magazine Heidi PP: What is com-
ing up for Equatorial Guinea?
Tomas Dickens: Equatorial Guinea
received independence from Spain
in 1968, and we will be celebrating
our 50th Anniversary, the Golden Ju-
bilee, on October 24th at Houston’s
City Hall. You are welcome to join
us. There are documentary videos,
which can be found online, that will
show all that has been achieved in
that 50 years. The fact that we have
been able to reach this standard in
the global economy is something we
are very proud of.
oil industry some few years later. I
spent 21 years in the oil & gas indus-
try. Right from day one when the oil
industry became fully operational in
Equatorial Guinea in 1990 is when
I went to work for a Texas-based
company, Walter International. These
companies eventually sold their as-
sets to CMS, Central Michigan Sup-
46 iF Magazine | November 2018
Another major goal of the govern-
ment has been to get Equatorial
Guinea recognized in the Interna-
tional Community. I am not sure if
you are aware, Equatorial Guinea
has now become a non-permanent
member of the Security Council of
ply, another US Company and CMS the United Nations for two years,
eventually sold to Marathon Oil. 2018-2019. That is a major achieve-
I worked for Marathon Oil from ment and one that is based on the
2002-2011. In 2011 as I was getting trust built with the countries that
ready to retire from the industry, I supported our candidacy to become
was appointed Deputy Consul Gen- a member. It represents many years of
eral in Houston, later on promoted building relationships.
years after to Consul General. So that
took me back to the foreign ministry