Patrick D. Manuel, P. Eng.
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Patrick D. Manuel serves as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Conifer Energy Inc, bringing over 32 years of leadership and expertise in the Canadian upstream oil and gas industry. A professional engineer and member of the Alberta Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of Alberta, Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta.
Patrick’s extensive experience spans production, operations, exploitation, acquisitions and divestitures, business development, and capital markets. His career has encompassed both conventional and unconventional oil and gas projects, positioning him as a respected leader in the energy sector.
Notable accomplishments in his career include:
- Acting as Canadian Advisor for Quantum Energy Partners, a Houston-based private equity firm with over $21 billion invested in the energy sector since its inception.
- Founding and serving as CEO of Carmel Bay Exploration, a Montney resource company acquired by Black Swan Energy.
- Co-founding and leading Monterey Exploration, a publicly listed Montney resource company acquired by Pengrowth.
- Holding senior executive roles at Crispin Energy and Rio Alto Exploration.
Patrick’s track record of founding and leading successful energy companies reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic insight. At Conifer Energy, he provides visionary leadership, driving operational excellence and sustainable growth in a dynamic energy landscape.
Heather Wilkins, CPA, CA
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
Heather Wilkins has over 16 years of financial management experience in oil and gas development, specializing in full-cycle accounting and financial reporting. Before joining Conifer, she served as Controller for Modern Resources Inc. and Angle Energy Inc., where she led the development of accounting functions from startup to divestiture. Her background includes roles at Barnwell of Canada Limited, KPMG, and PWC.
Heather has a proven track record of designing and managing processes for monthly reporting, corporate governance, public market reporting, and external audits. She holds a Chartered Accountant designation, a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting with Distinction from the University of Calgary, and a CAPPA Certificate in Production Accounting from SAIT. Her expertise ensures the financial stability and operational efficiency of Conifer.
Peter Dickson
Vice President, Operations
Peter Dickson brings over 36 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, providing strategic leadership in operations management. Since joining Conifer, he has leveraged his expertise from prior roles, including Operations Manager with ARC Resources, overseeing Redwater, SEAB, and SWSK operations. His career includes various leadership positions at Startech Energy Inc., encompassing well servicing, safety, and operations management.
Beyond his corporate experience, Peter has actively contributed to industry advancement, serving three years as a board member for RWDC and four years on the Petroleum Engineering Technology advisory committee at NAIT. His extensive experience and dedication to excellence make him a cornerstone of Conifer’s operational success.
Anton Esterhuizen
Vice President, Land and Joint Ventures
Anton Esterhuizen brings over 30 years of global energy experience to Conifer, with a focus on strategic oil and gas business development. His expertise includes 19 years in Canada, managing acquisitions, dispositions, and joint venture agreements with E&P and midstream companies, as well as royalty and equity entities. Previously, he held senior management roles at Kaisen Energy and Penn West Petroleum (Obsidian Energy), where he facilitated over $6 billion in transactions with Canadian and international energy companies.
Anton holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Orange Free State and an LLB degree from the Nelson Mandela Institute for Higher Education. His extensive background in law and business development positions him as a key driver of Conifer’s strategic partnerships and growth.
Robert Moriyama, P. Eng.
Vice President, Engineering
With over 39 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Robert Moriyama is a seasoned engineering leader with deep expertise across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). He joined Conifer after serving as Vice President of Enhanced Recovery at Zargon Oil and Gas and Director of Exploitation Engineering at Pengrowth. Earlier in his career, he held progressively senior roles in reservoir management, engineering, and operations.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary. His extensive technical expertise and leadership in enhanced recovery and engineering make him a vital asset to Conifer’s engineering team.
Mike Smiddy, CPA
Vice President, Corporate Planning & Commercial
Mike Smiddy is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry across both international and domestic operations. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Calgary.
Mike has built a strong track record in corporate financial leadership, with deep expertise in financial reporting, corporate modeling, and driving organizational efficiencies through process optimization and cost discipline. Prior to his current role, he held positions with TransGlobe Energy Corporation and Serinus Energy, where he contributed to strategic planning, financial performance management, and business transformation initiatives. He is recognized for his ability to integrate financial insight with operational decision-making to enhance value and support sustainable growth. His experience spans operations in Egypt, Tunisia, Romania, and Canada, providing a broad perspective on diverse regulatory, commercial, and operating environments.