Team size: integrated multidisciplinary legal, regulatory and partner relations team across LATAM operations (total LATAM team 12)

What are the key projects you have been involved in over the past twelve months?

Over the past twelve months, I have been actively involved in joint venture governance, operational alignment and contract management initiatives within GeoPark’s Colombia operations and overseas business support. As Joint Venture Manager, I serve as a key interface between the company and its partners, helping navigate operational, contractual and commercial challenges in a dynamic industry environment. I have supported partner negotiations, alignment on operational matters and long-term relationship management while protecting GeoPark’s commercial interests. Through proactive legal and strategic guidance, I have contributed to operational continuity, governance strengthening and the resolution of sensitive joint venture matters. I also continue providing legal support on joint venture compliance, contractual interpretation, governance processes and risk mitigation, always focusing on practical and commercially aligned solutions.

Can you describe an instance where your legal advice directly influenced business strategy or commercial objectives?

In the upstream oil and gas industry, operational continuity often depends on alignment among stakeholders with different commercial priorities and risk tolerances. Over the past year, I advised the business on navigating complex joint venture governance structures while preserving operational continuity and protecting GeoPark’s contractual rights. I worked closely with technical, operational and management teams to assess legal and commercial risks, support negotiations with partners and facilitate operational approvals and business execution. This included analysing JOA mechanisms, voting structures, cost allocation issues and dispute prevention alternatives. By combining legal risk assessment with commercial understanding and stakeholder management, I contributed to solutions that maintained operational momentum while reducing exposure to disputes and governance conflicts. This experience reinforced the strategic role of in-house counsel as a trusted business partner supporting decision-making beyond traditional legal advisory functions.

How do you manage situations where legal advice and commercial objectives conflict?

Particularly in the oil and gas industry, legal and commercial considerations are closely interconnected, particularly in operational environments where timing and stakeholder alignment are critical. In my experience, situations where legal advice and commercial objectives appear to conflict are best managed through collaboration, transparency and a clear understanding of the business context. My approach focuses not only on identifying legal risks, but also on helping the business evaluate practical alternatives that achieve commercial objectives within an acceptable risk framework. This requires close coordination with operational, technical and management teams to assess risks, identify solutions and support informed decision-making. In the upstream oil and gas sector, legal advice must be commercially pragmatic, solution-oriented and aligned with operational needs while protecting the company’s interests. I believe effective in-house lawyers build credibility by becoming trusted business partners who contribute to both risk management and strategic objectives.

What major challenges or risks should in-house legal teams be preparing for over the next twelve months?

Over the next twelve months, in-house legal teams will continue facing challenges driven by regulatory change, geopolitical uncertainty, operational pressures and the accelerated adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence. Challenges related to workload, budget constraints and technology adoption remain consistent across organisations. In the oil and gas sector, particularly in LATAM, geopolitical and regulatory developments in countries such as Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela will continue shaping the industry’s legal and commercial landscape. Key challenges will include balancing energy transition objectives, investment stability, regulatory reforms and regional market dynamics. In my view, the most effective in-house legal teams will be those capable of combining strong technical expertise with commercial awareness, adaptability and strategic thinking. The modern in-house lawyer continues evolving into a trusted business partner and risk manager, contributing directly to operational resilience and long-term sustainability.