1. The Top 5 Most SignificantThe Top 5 Most Significant
Leadership ChangesLeadership Changes in the O&G Industry in
2014in the O&G Industry in 2014
2. In 2014 we witnessed some of the most controversial,
surprising and tragic leadership changes to the energy industry in
years. Europe in particular witnessed some seismic shifts, further
highlighting the lack of veteran heavyweights now in circulation
among the continents leading energy players. In this slideshow, we
highlight five international leaders who have come and gone, and
briefly examine the effects these changes could have on their
respective companies and on the wider energy community as a
whole.
3. Paolo Scaroni, former Chief Executive of ENIPaolo Scaroni,
former Chief Executive of ENI One of the most recognisable veterans
of the international energy industry, Scaroni was ousted as chief
executive in June of 2014 during sweeping reforms pushed by Matteo
Renzi, the new Italian prime minister. He was replaced by Claudio
Descalzi, who had run the companys exploration and production
operations. Scaronis exit was seen by some as an attempt by the new
government to clean up key state-controlled industries in Italy,
after Scaroni was sentenced in March 2014 to three years in prison
for environmental crimes at an Enel-owned (part of ENI), power
station. He denies any wrongdoing and is presently free pending the
outcome of his appeal. At present, he holds the position of Deputy
Chairman at Rothschild.
4. Helge Lund, new Chief Executive of BG GroupHelge Lund, new
Chief Executive of BG Group Lund is one of the most recognisable
faces in the international energy industry, having led state-owned
Norwegian company Statoil for more than 10 years in a stellar rise
to the top, until his move to BG Group was announced in October
last year filling a leadership void left by the departing Chris
Finlayson, that had dragged on for six months. Lunds sparkling
reputation and relative youth saw him secure an unprecedented pay
package from BG Group worth up to 25 million a package that was
later scuppered by threats of shareholder revolt for breaching the
companys remuneration policy. High hopes are now pinned on Lunds
shoulders and many keenly anticipate he can take BG Group into
exciting new prospects of exploration & production
opportunity.
5. Christophe de Margerie, former CEO of TotalChristophe de
Margerie, former CEO of Total One of the most tragic moments of
2014, the untimely death of the charismatic and incredibly
well-connected French industry chief in a Moscow air crash left
Total reeling, and an entire industry in shock. His replacement,
Patrick Pouyanne (aged 51 the same age as Helge Lund), was seen as
a natural successor but not as early by 2014 and certainly not
under such momentous and forced circumstances. Pouyanne will now be
under intense pressure to keep costs down and then revive the
stuttering fortunes of the supergiant oil producer, who has been
particularly affected by economic sanctions placed on Russia where
Total has many huge investment interests and projects under
development.
6. Jiang Jiemin, former Chairman of CNPCJiang Jiemin, former
Chairman of CNPC The scandalous and ongoing case against a dozen
CNPC senior executives came to a head in March last year with the
arrest of Mr Jiang and the removal of him from his position as
chief of one of the worlds largest and most important oil
companies. His initial fall from grace came in September 2013 when
allegations of corruption and cliques for preferred executives came
to light, but his final humiliation came with his expulsion from
the Communist Party in June of 2014. The investigation into
corruption at CNPC was followed by a series of arrests involving
past and present high-ranking CNPC officials, including Wang
Yongchun, vice president of CNPC-owned PetroChina, Li Hualin, the
former CNPC general manager, and Wang Daofu, PetroChina's former
chief geologist.
7. Jean-Francois Cirelli, former Deputy CEO of GDF
SUEZJean-Francois Cirelli, former Deputy CEO of GDF SUEZ The sudden
and surprising announcement that Isabelle Kochar one of the new
young female superstars of French industry would be inheriting the
Chief Executives mantle from the soon-to-be- retiring Grard
Mestrallet, was enough for Cirelli to quit the global utility giant
with immediate effect in November 2014. Kochar, just 48 years old
and only in a board-level role as Chief Financial Officer at GDF
since 2010, is now active in Cirellis former position and will take
on the top job in early 2016, when age will force the retirement of
Mestrallet from the incumbency.
8. Who might be the next industry leaderWho might be the next
industry leader to be replaced or leave, and why?to be replaced or
leave, and why? Join in the discussions atJoin in the discussions
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