Meet The Team
The SubTerra Team
Dustin Kinch
P.Eng - President, Chief Executive Officer
Dustin is a Professional Engineer with 19 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. His experience in Drilling, Completions and Project Management has contributed to countless projects in Canada, the Middle East, Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.
Widely considered the leading authority in Canada on salt cavern drilling, he currently sits on two CSA committees and is active in the academic progress of salt cavern operations.
Dustin holds a B.Sc in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Tech and is registered with APEGA.
Peter Christensen
P.Eng - Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Peter is a Professional Engineer with 16 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. His expertise in Drilling, Completions and Project Management has taken him to various companies in the office and field with roles ranging from Senior Engineer to Drilling Superintendent.
He has experience designing and executing projects both in North America and Africa.
Peter holds a B.Sc in Oil and Gas Engineering from the University of Calgary and is registered with APEGA.
Chad Huffman
Vice President, Corporate Development
Chad brings 17 years of experience in the Oil & Gas Industry. His experience in Management, Operations, Business Development, and Strategy Development has contributed to consistent and sustainable business growth throughout his career.
His vast network, and results oriented approach allows for diverse internal and external company development, as well as strong working relationships with current, and prospective clients.
Chad is a member of the Canadian Energy Executives Association, and regularly donates his time to multiple charitable organizations in the Calgary Oil & Gas community.
Piotr Kukialka
P.Geo, M.Sc - Senior Solution Mining Specialist
Piotr is a world-renowned solution mining expert and author of several published white papers including: “Lotsberg Salt Formation - Solution-mined Cavern for SAGD Solid Waste Disposal, Cold Lake, Alberta”. With 25+ years of oil and gas experience in Engineering, Mining and Geology, his areas of expertise include Canada (Fort Saskatchewan, Kerrobert, Cold Lake, Kirby North & South, Wolf Lake, Ontario), Netherlands, England (Gas Storage), Austria, France, Germany.
He holds a Master’s Degree from AGH University of Science and Technology and has continued the relationship with the University for testing core samples and studying salt creep & mineralogy (services now offered by SubTerra Engineering).
Piotr is affiliated with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, and Member in Good Standing with the Solution Mining Research Institute (SMRI).
Jug Manocha
P.Eng - Sr. Engineer, Special Projects
Jug is a Professional Engineer with more than 40 years experience specifically related to Cavern Storage Planning, Development, Construction and Engineering. Jug’s skill set is also complimented with a wide range of experience in solution mining, natural gas storage and oilfield brine disposal.
He has several published white papers and spent more than 30 years with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Jug is affiliated with Professional Engineers of Ontario, APENG – Newfoundland and is a member of the Ontario Association of Emergency Mangers. He is also an active Technical Committee Member with the Canadian Standards Associated (CSA).
David Crane
P. Eng - Project Manager
David is a Professional Engineer with 17 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. Since 2004 he has had the opportunity to work on various projects throughout Western Canada, United States and the East Coast in both field supervisory and project management positions. David has extensive operational and project management experience and held positions as Senior Drilling Engineer and Drilling Superintendent with Canada’s most active operator.
David holds a B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University and is registered with APEGA
Brandt Tracey
P. Eng - Project Manager
Brandt is a Professional Engineer with 17 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. His domestic and international experience gives him the ability to bring different perspectives to whichever project he is working on. Brandt has both operations and engineering experience in drilling, completions, reservoir evaluation, and project management. He has held roles as Senior Drilling Engineer, Team Lead, and Drilling Superintendent with varied experience across Western Canada and Saudi Arabia.
Brandt holds a B.Sc in Oil and Gas Engineering from University of Calgary and is registered with APEGA
Holly Beiko
E.I.T. - Operations Engineer
Holly is an Engineer in Training with 4 years experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. With a strong technical mindset and clear business acumen, Holly is a major asset on many of our client’s projects.
She holds a B.Sc in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wyoming and is registered with APEGA.
Nathan Christensen
P.Eng. - Operations Engineer
Nathan brings 13 years Industry experience focused on Completions & Production Enhancement in Operations and Project Management roles.
His Canadian experience stems across Western Canada in all basins, executing on some of the most challenging projects. Nathan brings a great deal of experience in safety, service quality, and execution from his experience working for a Global Leader in Oilfield Services.
Nathan holds a B.Sc in Computer Engineering with a minor in Biomedical engineering from the University of Calgary and is registered with APEGA.
James Doyle
Procurement Supervisor
James brings more than 9 years of experience in numerous roles related to project controls and supply chain with both field and office experience. With strong attentional to detail and clear business acumen, James is critical in ensuring capital accountability on our projects.
James holds a BASc in Business & Managerial Economics from Queens University Belfast.
Drake Ottacher
Operations Engineer
Drake is an Engineer in Training with over three years experience in commercial and industrial construction, primarily in operational positions. Strong organizational and problem solving skills combined with a results oriented approach allow Drake to be instrumental on a multitude of projects.
Drake holds a BSc in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta and is registered as an EIT with APEGA.
Dallas Longshore
Operations Engineer
Dallas is a Professional Technologist with 18 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry. His expertise in Cavern Storage/Disposal Operations, Conventional Oil and Gas Production, Carbon Sequestration Development and Project Management has contributed to multiple active operations In Western Canada, the United States and Mexico.
With experience gained working as both an operator and an engineering consultant, Dallas has a unique skill set that can be applied to projects across multiple areas and project types within the industry.
Dallas is active within the industry to develop new ideas that can be applied to active projects. He is currently sitting as Chair for CSA on the Z341 committee to facilitate and ensure the standards used in the industry are relevant and up to date for the scope of work. Additionally, he works with other associations to ensure that knowledge is gained and shared among all stakeholders working on active projects.
Dallas holds a diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Petroleum Engineering and is a registered Professional Technologist with The Association of Science & Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET).
Field Supervisors
We have a diverse workforce of field supervisors available for any project type, location and duration. With a wide range of experience in Canada and Internationally, we carefully select, and place our supervisors strategically to be aligned with our customers expectations. At SubTerra we pride ourselves on the competency of our supervisors, and their ability to deliver results.