Record Resources CEO on Gabon's Ngulu project: patience, partnerships and the pursuit of scale

Record Resources Inc (TSX-V:REC) CEO Michael Judson has spent decades navigating the natural resources sector, from mining to oil and gas and international project development. As the company advances its Ngulu oil project in Gabon, Judson says the combination of an experienced leadership team, strong regional relationships and the ability to move quickly gives Record Resources a unique advantage. In this Q&A, Judson talks about what drew him to the West African oil and gas sector, why he believes small-cap agility is an advantage rather than a liability, and how he thinks about timing in an industry defined by cycles. Proactive : You've assembled a leadership team with decades of international energy experience. What gives you confidence this is the right team to execute in Gabon? Michael Judson : I owe a great deal of credit to Alain Mizelle for assembling this team. These were his contacts in South Africa. Alain and I first started working together about 15 years ago, and he brought an extensive network and deep experience in the region. He had enjoyed a lot of success there during what were, in many ways, the boom years of the oil and gas industry. The group Alain assembled includes people from companies I had long admired. Tullow Oil, in particular, was a real breeding ground for talent. Bill Torr and Robin Sutherland both came from Tullow, although Alain did not. I remember watching what Tullow was accomplishing in Ghana during the 2000s and thinking, "This is incredible." They...