Monzer Makhous holds several doctorate degrees and a Habilitation for Research Direction in Earth Sciences, specializing in oit and gas exploration and production. He worked for some twenty years in the fields of petroleum exploration and production. His academic and research activity is heavily associated with universities in Paris and Strasbourg.Yurii Galushkin holds a doctorate degree in mathematics and physics from the Moscow PhysicalTechnical Institute. He is currently working in the geodynamic section of the Museum of Earth Sciences of Moscow State University.