Jean-Luc Vermeulen, a graduate of the École Polytechnique in Paris holding a Ph.D. in theoretical physics has worked in exploration and production for Elf Aquitaine and for Total for 33 years. He was President of Exploration-Production and a member of the Executive Committee of Elf Aquitaine and held the same positions with Total following the merger of the two companies.

He began his career with Elf Aquitaine in the Research division. He held a number of different positions in the Exploration-Production division and in the Natural Gas division, overseas (in the Middle East and in Africa) and in France including VP E&P Business Development, Senior Vice President Mergers and Acquisitions and Senior Vice President for Africa.

Mr. Vermeulen retired from Total at the end of 2003. He sat on the Board of Directors of the Russian oil company TNK-BP from 2003 until 2008. He is also co-founder and Chairman of Majus Ltd., a UK company, which develops innovative thermal technologies to enhance the production and recovery rates of heavy or waxy oilfields.