Protekz-Led Strategic Recovery: Restoring Gas Production and Rebuilding Stakeholder Trust at KNOC

Client: Far East Offshore Pte Ltd (for Korean National Oil Corporation – KNOC)

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Duration: July – November 2009

Sector: Energy & Natural Resources

Executive Challenge

The Korean National Oil Corporation (KNOC) experienced a critical production outage, losing more than nine months of gas output (52 MMscfd). This disruption significantly impacted top-line revenue, raised concerns about operational integrity, and risked eroding stakeholder trust at national and regional levels.

To restore both operational performance and reputational standing, KNOC required an immediate yet strategically anchored solution—focused not only on recovery but also on long-term resilience.

Strategic Leadership Approach

Far East Offshore engaged Protekz Inc., with Mike Etuhoko leading the diagnostic and restoration mandate. The advisory strategy combined technical rigor, operational redesign, and organizational capability building through four pillars:

1. Comprehensive Root-Cause Analysis

   • Diagnosed both technical and organizational failure points.

   • Ensured systemic weaknesses were fully identified and addressed.

2. Strategic Restoration Roadmap

   • Co-created with KNOC executives a tailored recovery plan.

   • Integrated rapid response protocols, optimized workflows, and risk-controlled practices.

3. Executive Alignment & Cultural Reset

   • Facilitated cross-functional leadership alignment to ensure ownership at every level.

   • Embedded resilience into organizational culture, not just into systems.

4. Capability Transfer & Mentorship

   • Delivered on-the-ground mentorship for KNOC’s teams.

   • Equipped local leaders with strategic tools, frameworks, and a resilience mindset for sustaining performance beyond recovery.

Results & Business Impact

• Full Production Restored
  Successfully reinstated 52 MMscfd within the projected timeline, stabilizing KNOC’s output and financial performance.

• $120M Annual Revenue Recovery
  Restoration efforts delivered an estimated $120M in annual revenue impact, based on 2009 natural gas market prices ($5.82/MMBtu).

• Operational Resilience Strengthened
  Enhanced KNOC’s risk preparedness, collaboration, and agility, reducing vulnerability to future disruptions.

• Stakeholder Confidence Rebuilt
  Rapid, strategic execution restored trust among regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders, safeguarding KNOC’s long-term positioning.

Protekz Core Values in Action

• Empowerment – Strengthened operational leadership through mentorship, capability building, and knowledge transfer.

• Impact – Delivered significant financial recovery, operational transformation, and risk mitigation.

• Fulfillment – Helped KNOC evolve into a more agile, resilient, and high-performing organization, aligned with Protekz’s commitment to global impact.

Client Testimonials

“Mike, I appreciate your hard work on this project and recognize your significant contribution in identifying and resolving the issues out client faced. I am pleased with how successfully the project
was completed.”

— Simon Jang, General Manager, Far East Offshore (Email dated November 8, 2009)

“Mike, KNOC successfully completed its workover project safely and efficiently with your cooperation. Thank you for your dedicated support and efforts throughout the process.”

— Jeongyong Roh, Ph.D., Engineering Manager, KNOC (Email dated November 6, 2009)