In 1984 he joined Eni’s geophysics division, working first as a researcher in the development of 3D seismic prospecting technology and subsequently as a manager of 3D seismic prospecting  programmes, specialising in  seismic-stratigraphy. In 1994 he was appointed manager of seismic-stratigraphy applications and in 1999 he increased the technical-managerial scope of his activities becoming manager of geological and geophysical services in Eni.

At the end of 2001, his career took a new international turn holding positions of increasing managerial complexity over a period of eight years, starting in Norway where he was Technical Director and Deputy Managing Director at Norsk Agip in Norway. In 2003 he was appointed Managing Director of Eni Indonesia and in 2006 he moved to Egypt as General Manager and Managing Director, a position he also held at Eni Angola in 2007. In 2009 he returned to Eni’s headquarters as Senior Vice Chairman of Global Exploration.

He graduated with honours in geology in 1983 from the University of Florence.