Our Team

President and CEO

Yachtze Luchin

Born and raised in Houston, TX, Yachtze Luchin had an aptitude for math at a young age, which fostered his interest in engineering, the foundational driver for his success. His talents as an innovative problem solver have led to more than 25 years in a broad range of engineering and leadership roles for major oil and gas companies that include Noble Energy and Chevron.

All of his experiences have given him a keen understanding of not only the opportunities that exist in West Africa, but how Unite can make a positive and lasting impact by enhancing the capabilities of the people and companies in the communities they serve to ensure a more sustainable and prosperous environment for everyone involved.

As leader of this multi-firm organization, Yachtze has assembled a global team of professionals who have decades of experience in every aspect of the oil and gas industry. Collectively they have worked in more than 60 locations on six continents with approximately $14 billion in asset transactions.

Yachtze’s direction for Unite is a focus on development and production of what are considered marginal fields in West Africa, where Unite’s goal is to create more inclusive partnerships with African national oil companies – partnerships that empower oil and gas professionals in the region and economically support the communities in which they work. 

He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lamar University, and an MBA in finance from University of St. Thomas in Houston. 

VP Geosciences

Bill Sharp

With over three decades of dedicated Exploration and Development expertise, Bill’s geologic career embodies a comprehensive journey through every phase of the Full Life Cycle Management. From pioneering play opening exploration ventures to orchestrating initial field developments and adeptly navigating late-stage reservoir management, he has honed a holistic approach in the pursuit of value creating opportunities.

A track record that speaks volumes as a seasoned oil-finder, having left a mark across the globe in over 20 countries spanning 6 continents. Whether tackling challenges onshore or offshore, conventional, or unconventional, his adaptability and strategic prowess have consistently delivered results that transcend borders and conventional limitations. 
Brings an exceptional proficiency in geologic Risk and Resource Assessment, providing actionable insights to empower strategic decision making and drive sustainable growth.

Engineering Advisory Board Member

Chinedu Ezenwukwa

A seasoned oil & gas professional with over 30 years experience in oil and gas business working with Total Energies, Shell E&P and a small independent operator – Heritage Energy. Have worked and successfully delivered all phases of oil and gas development all the way from feasibility studies, field appraisal, concept identification/selection to development planning & economic evaluation, front end engineering design, detail design, procurement, fabrication & construction, installation, commissioning and startup of multi-billion dollar oil and gas processing facilities and pipelines in onshore, shallow water, and deepwater environments across multiple continents.

Led Strategy development and Business Planning for a major IOC overseeing multiple business entities which strengthened my ability in creating business strategies, obtaining alignment with Joint Venture Partners, making quality decisions and driving business performance for value creation to the shareholders.

I have a strong passion for Environment, Social and Governance aspects of business and have consistently  demonstrated businesses accountability in ensuring environmental sustainability and making positive social impact to the community in which we operate.

BD Advisor

Herve Plick

Herve Plick is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience facilitating and integrating partnerships between American and Canadian companies into the African continent. His expertise lies in leadership, team management, business development, and operational strategies.

Herve has served as an advisor on multiple projects, providing support to project managers in decision-making strategies.

VP Geosciences

Bill Sharp

With over three decades of dedicated Exploration and Development expertise, Bill’s geologic career embodies a comprehensive journey through every phase of the Full Life Cycle Management. From pioneering play opening exploration ventures to orchestrating initial field developments and adeptly navigating late-stage reservoir management, he has honed a holistic approach in the pursuit of value creating opportunities.

A track record that speaks volumes as a seasoned oil-finder, having left a mark across the globe in over 20 countries spanning 6 continents. Whether tackling challenges onshore or offshore, conventional, or unconventional, his adaptability and strategic prowess have consistently delivered results that transcend borders and conventional limitations. 
Brings an exceptional proficiency in geologic Risk and Resource Assessment, providing actionable insights to empower strategic decision making and drive sustainable growth.

Geoscience Director

Jim Bucci

Over 37 years of experience in US and International exploration with diverse technical skills in prospect generation, seismic interpretation, aeromagnetic/gravity   and petrophysics.

Ten years of experience in over 15 countries with a wide diversity of play types.
Twenty-seven years  exploration/development experience throughout the US, including, Anadarko, Arkoma, East Texas, Fort Worth, Permian, Gulf of Mexico, San Juan, Green River, and Appalachian Basins.

Advanced skills in Source Rocks and resource shales including geochemistry, thermal maturation, petrophysics, rock mechanics, target zone recognition/navigation, and well planning and implementation

Geoscience Manager

Henry Badra

Geoscientist with over 17 years experience primarily in unconventional exploration and well planning, operations, and geosteering of horizontal wells. 

Experience in multiple unconventional plays in the U.S. including the Wolfcamp, Barnett, Haynesville, Woodford, Niobara, and Eagleford. 

Oversaw Geosteering in over 500 horizontal well operations in tight sand and shale plays throughout North America. International conventional experience in West Africa, Europe, and Australia.

Geoscience Manager

Dr John Coates

Geoscientist with 15 years experience, focused on conventional / unconventional exploration and basin / source rock evaluations. 
Extensive experience in the Niobara, Mowry, Bakken, Permian, Wilcox, Frio, Yegua and Mancos plays. 
Ten years experience in international offshore exploration including West Africa, China, Latin America and the Caribbean.  

Strong analytical skills in integrating large geological and production data into geological models.  
PhD in Geoscience from University of Kentucky.

Sr Geoscience Advisor

Alex Clarke

Geoscientist with 7 years’ experience in international hydrocarbon exploration and appraisal operations.
Worked on assets in West Africa, Latin America, and the UK North Sea, and has been involved in a wide variety of projects at various stages of the exploration life-cycle.

Experienced seismic interpreter and integrator of a wide variety of geological and geophysical data to build a holistic understanding of the subsurface.
Alex holds a BSc in Geology from the University of Liverpool and an MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geosciences from the University of Aberdeen.

Production Manager

Dr. Kelechi Ojukwu

Dr. Kelechi Isaac Ojukwu is a licensed Petroleum Engineer with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, spanning multinational operators and service companies. He holds a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, and a PhD in Petroleum Economics. Dr. Kelechi is recognized for his expertise in various areas including Asset Management, Produced Water Management, Corporate Restructuring, Acquisitions & Divestiture, New Technology, and Petroleum Asset Valuation.

During his tenure at Schlumberger spanning 10 years, Dr. Kelechi worked in 10 different countries across Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America, progressing from Field Engineer to Principal Reservoir Engineer – Africa. Subsequently, he joined Shell International E&P in 2000 for another decade, serving as the Global Technology Deployment Coordinator with assignments in the Netherlands, PDO Oman, and Shell UK, where he held the position of Senior Production Technologist and Field Development Manager at the Pierce-North Field.

In 2010, Dr. Kelechi became Afren’s inaugural Asset Manager, overseeing the establishment and operations of its indigenous subsidiary, First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN), as the company’s first Chief Operating Officer (COO). He has also held roles as a management consultant for NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation), managing the 2016-2017 restructuring program, and served as Project Executive for Commercial Acquisitions at Oando. Additionally, he was appointed COO & Country Manager at Hallwood Oil & Gas US Inc., a new startup venture.

More recently before joining Unite Oil & Gas in January 2024, Dr. Kelechi led Research & Development at Western Petroleum Management in Alberta and served as a corporate advisor to the CEO of Al Dhafra Petroleum (an ADNOC subsidiary in Abu Dhabi, UAE) on Well, Reservoir & Facility Management (WRFM) strategies.

Reservoir Engineering Manager

Emem Udoh

Emem Udoh is an experienced Reservoir Engineering Consultant.  Thirty-five (35) after graduation, Emem has worked for major oil and gas companies globally, which include Halliburton, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and ExxonMobil Upstream Production and Research Companies.

Emem recently retired from ExxonMobil Upstream Company, after twenty-seven (27) years of working on different international oil and gas fields development projects, such as Guyana Basin, Russia’s Sakhalin fields, Canada’s Hebron, Nigeria’s JV and Deep-water fields. He worked in ExxonMobil roles such as Global Reservoir Engineering Senior Technical Professional Advisor (STPA), Reservoir Simulation Subject Matter Expert (SME), Nigeria Reserves Manager, and Reservoir Technology Supervisor.

Emem holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Port-Harcourt in Nigeria and has technical and leadership training certifications from several international institutions.

Development Manager

Dr. Solomon Inikori

Solomon Inikori holds a PhD degree in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Benin, Nigeria, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

He has over 30 years oil and gas experience working with both small independent and Multinational oil and gas companies. About 20 years of his experience was with Shell Oil Company both in Nigeria and The United States. He was a senior oil and gas reserves auditor where he audited Shell oil and gas reserves across the group over a period of five years. Prior to that assignment, he was head of studies for Shell Project and Technology in Houston overseeing multibillion dollars Deepwater Nigerian projects including joint venture Deepwater projects with ExxonMobil.

Since his retirement from Shell Oil in December 2018, Solomon has managed an oil and gas field development consulting business (Integrated Field Development Consultants, IFDC) with offices in Houston Energy corridor and Lekki, Lagos Nigeria where he has led major oil and gas field studies for the eight of the top independent oil and gas companies in Nigeria.

Solomon is proud member of the Unite Oil and Gas International (UOGI) Consulting group.

Drilling and Completions Project Manager

Mark Ratchinsky

Project Management professional adept at leading multi-disciplinary teams and achieving project goals in remote environments. Proficient in complex well engineering projects, emphasizing performance, cost efficiency, HSE compliance and managing project budgets effectively. 

With over three decades of experience in the petroleum industry, Mark is a highly skilled Project Management professional delivering successful and complex engineering projects in remote and challenging environments. His expertise in planning, executing, and managing intricate well engineering projects ensures optimal performance, cost containment, and efficiency.

Having held pivotal roles at esteemed companies like, Shell International E&P, Maersk Oil, Sonangol and Heritage Energy, Mark has honed his skills in project management, team integration, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, Mark has maintained a strong commitment to Health, Safety, and Environment standards, prioritizing the safety and well-being of project personnel, assets, environment and operator reputation.

Drilling and Stimulation SME

Scott Hoskins

A drilling and technology innovation lead as well as front end planning and design for Unite Oil & Gas International. 
Over thirty years of international and domestic experience. 
Previous experience summary with Heritage Energy (Nigeria – Well Delivery Manager), Shell International E&P (Global Drilling), Hess (Central Drilling Technology Team), Schlumberger (ML Completions), he has managed well delivery projects and focused on performance enhancement on 5 continents and in over 26 different operating entities.
He currently serves as the Technology Lead and interface between the operating customers and the execution of projects and is accountable for Technology Innovation and Business Development.

Well Engineering Project Manager

Rafael Bermudez Martinez

With over 24 years of dynamic leadership in the international energy sector, I excel in managing Onshore and Offshore well projects with a steadfast focus on operational excellence, business growth, and HSE standards. Throughout my career, I have overseen the design and execution of over 800 wells globally, spanning diverse geographies including Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the United States of America, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Nigeria, Iraq, and the Republic of Congo.

My technical expertise encompasses Well Engineering & Operation On-Offshore, specializing in HP-HT environments, Completion technologies, MPD, UBD, UBDCT, Wellbore Stability, Well Intervention, Well Integrity, Maximum Reservoir Contact Wells, and Exploratory Projects. As well as being appointed services as Well Drilling technical authority, Drilling Expert, and Research and Development Lead for ADNOC Onshore, I have effectively led operations, ensured standards compliance, and fostered innovation in drilling technologies.

In addition to my technical proficiency, I bring over 10 years of strategic commercial experience,  successfully negotiated multiple drilling services contracts, managed well’s projects, led strategic initiatives toward technology innovation, while cultivated client relationships across international markets. My track record includes driving profitability, spearheading business development efforts, and navigating regulatory landscapes to ensure operational and business success.

I have held pivotal executive roles and board memberships in esteemed industry organizations such as SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers), and IADD (International Association of Directional Drilling), also contribute as a board member of Drillinktech and SEDMECA International enterprises. Currently working as Project Manager for UNITE OGI continuing driving excellence, fostering innovation in the energy sector.

Communications Director

 Sonia Alleyne

Sonia Alleyne is a communications, career and business strategist who has developed effective messaging, programs, systems, and content franchises for a broad range of organizations.

She is the co-founder of Storytellers Magic, a company that helps professionals and business owners craft and develop effective narratives to advance their business goals.

In her previous position, as Press Secretary and Director of Public Information for the New York City Department of Finance, she oversaw communications strategies and branding for the $33 billion agency, also the nation’s largest and most complex municipal tax administration, delivering unprecedented news and media coverage that enhanced compliance and helped introduce protective city-wide policies.

Before joining the Department of Finance, Sonia was editorial director at Black Enterprise, responsible for content direction across multiple platforms including television, print, events and digital, breaking editorial exclusives with top business talent, including Oprah Winfrey and Ursula Burns.

In addition, Sonia served as television correspondent for the Black Enterprise Business Report and Our World with Black Enterprise, syndicated TV programs focusing on financial and professional development. She is the founding editorial director of the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, the premier annual corporate leadership conference for professional women of color.

She is the author of three business books, including The Storytelling Business Journal and Good is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Literary Award.

Sonia is a graduate of Emerson College and holds a BA in Communications Studies.

Executive Administrative Assistant

Sharion Melton

With over 25 years of experience in managing and supporting complex projects to successful completion, Sharion holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is a seasoned administrative professional recognized for her unwavering commitment to excellence. She excels in creating synergies within diverse teams ensuring projects are executed with efficiency.

Her career is marked by a results-oriented approach, where she consistently delivers on objectives while balancing independence with strong collaborative skills. Her ability to navigate complex organizational structures and adapt to international environments has made her a trusted partner to executives and diplomats alike.

VP, Business & Legal Affairs

William E. Lewis, Esq.

Bill Lewis is a licensed attorney with more than forty years of extensive experience in constructing deals, creating strategies and providing critical solutions for corporate executives, senior level government officials, federal, state and local government boards and bodies, administrative agencies and public office holders.

His legal skills include complex litigation, commercial transactions, governmental affairs, and certified bond counsel. He served as an affiliate member of the distinguished national bond lawyers’ firm, Lewis, White & Clay and Affiliates (renamed Lewis & Munday) in Detroit, MI and as lead bond counsel for the first African American law firm to serve as co-bond counsel to the Bond Commission for the state of Louisiana. Bill has also served as senior campaign advisor to several political candidates, creating successful platforms through position papers, opinion pieces, and by collaborating with political, civic and community organizations. He has served as a registered legislative lobbyist in multiple states and federal jurisdictions.

As a consultant and legal advisor, Bill has organized fact-finding missions to West Africa exploring business development opportunities and continues to design economic strategies related to energy, information technology and telecommunications.

Bill served as executive vice president/general counsel for Compact Manifolds International, Inc. (CMII),overseeing efforts to develop domestic and international business for CMII’s facilities’ business and its line of oil & gas drilling equipment and oilfield services. During this time, he co-authored the white paper Breaking the Oil Syndrome: Responsible Hydrocarbon Development in West Africa, which focused on the concept of “local content” to provide self-sustaining opportunities for African economies directly impacted by foreign oil exploration.Commissioned, published, and released by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., in July 2005, it was heralded as a critical analysis of the state of West African hydrocarbon development.

Bill received his BA in political science from Hampton University and his JD from Southern University Law Center, where he graduated with honors, served as case note editor and editor-in-chief of the Southern University Law Review. He is also a contributing writer to the school’s legal journal, The Public Defender. He has published several articles throughout his college, law school and professional career.