Mike Backus

CEO, Outwest Energy Inc.

Mike Backus is the current CEO of Outwest Energy Inc., a new Western Canadian based energy company. He has over 25 years of experience in a variety of engineering, operational, finance and executive roles. Prior to founding Outwest, Mike was a member of the executive teams at Kiwetinohk Energy Corp and Painted Pony Energy where he was the Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the Development and Operations prior to the corporate sale of both companies. Most of his career was spent with Nexen Inc. (now CNOOC International) where he was most recently the VP of Operations for Canada and the UK North Sea businesses. Mike has held various positions during his career, including working both conventional and unconventional Canadian gas and power assets, oilsands, offshore North Sea, Middle East and West Africa. His career has spanned drilling and completions engineering, reservoir engineering and development, project management and planning, investor relations, corporate finance/treasury, operations, Health, Safety and Environment, and executive leadership. Mike holds both a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, both from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Alberta (P.Eng) and holds his Corporate Director designation (ICD.D). Mike has also held various industry association roles in both Canada and the UK. Aside from his industry career, Mike currently holds director positions with one public and two private companies.