Dr. W.G. (Bill) Ayrton has been involved in exploration in Western Canada for over 40 years. As an independent geologist, he is retained by oil and gas companies primarily in evaluating oil and gas prospects and investment opportunities. Bill has founded two private oil and gas companies, Ayrton Exploration Consulting Ltd. and Flame Resources Ltd. of which he is still president.

More recently, he has focused his interest on presenting courses, mentoring, leading field trips, developing and facilitating corporate training programs and corporate games.

Dr. Ayrton was elected President of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists in 1976, received the Society’s Best Oral Presentation of a Paper Award in 1973, and in 1975 was Co-Chairman of the joint CSPG-CSEG Convention in “Advances in Exploration Technology”. He was awarded the Calgary Convention Center North American Award in 1981. In 1996, Bill was awarded the APEGGA Frank Spragins Technical Summit Award for technical expertise and professional contribution to the industry, and Honorary Membership in the CSPG in 1999.

Bill Ayrton received his B.Sc.(Hons.) in Geology from McGill University and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Geology from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. His professional experience also includes positions with the Quebec Department of Mines in the Gaspe Peninsula; Amoco Canada in Calgary where he was Chief Geologist for 5 years, and District Superintendent for 2 years; Petromark Minerals and Bluesky Oil & Gas Ltd. in Calgary where he was Vice-President of Exploration, and Canadian Westgrowth where he was Chief Operating Officer.