Managing Director, PGNiG Pakistan

EVOLVE: Please share a prelude to your professional career? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: I can call myself an expert in geological exploration. I started my career as a Geologist in the year 1997, upon excelling in a master's degree program in Geology from the University of Warsaw. While continuing my academic period at the Department of Geology till 2003, the Upper Cretaceous bio - and eco-stratigraphy of Central Europe remained my main subject of extensive study. It led me to my Ph.D. degree in Geology, in the year 2002. In 2003 I joined the oil & gas industry and started working as a Geologist in the Exploration Department of the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG). This state-owned company is the leader of the Polish oil and gas sector. From 2007 onwards, under the head of PGNiG, I was focused on exploration activities on projects outside of Poland. I got the opportunity to work in different countries such as Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Denmark. From 2010 onwards, I was also engaged in a “Shale Gas” project in Poland.

In 2010 I was initially assigned an exploration project as a Warsaw-based exploration specialist in Pakistan; but due to the requirement and my management skills along with my geological expertise, I was appointed as Managing Director of the POGC (PGNiG) Pakistan Branch. I currently live in Islamabad, Pakistan and serve the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG) Pakistan Branch as Managing Director.

EVOLVE: Please tell us something about PGNiG services and solutions? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: The Company’s core business includes exploration and production of natural gas and oil and their import, storage, sale and distribution as well as generation of electricity and concentrated on exploration projects carried out in Poland and abroad.

EVOLVE: How do you elaborate your personal leadership secrets for leading a team? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: Leader must know when to be decisive, and when to take a step back. I am confident that I can navigate my team abilities through establishing trust within them. I always give my team stretched targets to enable them to perform out of their comfort zones. I believe a true leader is visible and approachable to his team and brings the best out of their teams.

EVOLVE: How about the oil market? Where exactly does Pakistan need PGNiG? Any new trends in the oil sector you can see? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: Oil market is gaining its momentum back after witnessing a dip in its cycle. This feel-good factor seems to have returned and is bringing a lot of competition as well, globally. Particularly, talking about Pakistan, we are looking forward to playing our role towards major contributions in the energy sector. Recent speedy developments in CPEC are opening new avenues for investment. We are constantly keeping an eye on these shifting trends and will shape our organizational strategy for widening our portfolio accordingly.

EVOLVE: How strictly do you manage risk management and especially how do you prepare your team for this crucial task? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: Organizations are operating in the VUCA world nowadays and we are fully aware of this phenomenon. We consider all risk factors internally and externally while devising our business plan or strategy. Furthermore, we maintain our risk registry as well with methodologies to mitigate these risks. Risk management is part of project management in PGNiG and our team identifies, quantifies and has control of the risks.

EVOLVE: Please enlighten our readers about PGNiG Research & Development initiatives? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: As part of PGNiG Group 2017-2022 strategy; company will spend significant amounts on research, development and innovation. Some of those projects are already under way with main focus on building an efficient organizational and management model across the highly complex structure of the PGNiG Group. These projects will include optimization of the Group’s operating model and roll-out of an efficient management system.

EVOLVE: How do you forecast PGNiG business growth in the emerging market of Pakistan? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: In line with Group strategy, PGNiG Pakistan strives to operate as a project-oriented entity aiming at becoming progressive organization while keeping control of the volatile situation in Pakistan. In the near future our focus in upstream business is to increase hydrocarbon reserves in Pakistan. To achieve this, we will be devising a very aggressive strategy of acquiring new blocks and licenses in Pakistan. We are looking for opportunities on Government to Government basis as PGNiG is a state-owned company and Government of Pakistan does offer potential blocks for exploration on G to G basis. PGNiG Pakistan is also looking for growth opportunities to farm with Pakistani state owned companies. 

EVOLVE: In your view, what are the key elements needed to make a successful organization? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: Strategic planning is the most important element of making a successful organization and this strategic planning should be holistic including all the aspects from people to processes and to product. However, speaking honestly, culture is more important than strategy. Because if organizational culture is not driven by organization values, all strategies would fail. As they say – culture eats strategy for breakfast. 

EVOLVE: How do you face the challenges and transform them into opportunities? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: As I already mentioned, we operate in an uncertain world and challenges are not a new thing for companies. I personally take challenges as motivation, since these give us a chance to reflect upon whether we need to stick to our basics or need to strategize. We periodically run SWOT and PEST analysis to assess internal and external environments. I believe that a great leader faces challenges and navigates the ship, even when the skies darken. 

EVOLVE: Any message for the readers of EVOLVE magazine? 

Mr. Andrzej Kaczorowski: My message for the readers of EVOLVE magazine would be that you should take obstacles as opportunities, embrace changes and always challenge yourself. We all have so much potential in ourselves; we just need to capitalize our strengths and this is possible if we think positive and act accordingly. All the best!