Overcoming the odds to secure commercial and competitive advantage has defined the 30-year career of US-born petroleum engineer Paul Welch.

Half of Welch’s career was spent with Shell before breaking off for a life with “smaller operations”, where he could exert more influence.

As chief executive of Calgary-registered explorer SDX Energy, listed on London’s AIM since May, Welch is focused on producing and prospective assets in Egypt, but is open to merger and acquisition opportunities across North Africa.

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