Arjan van Vliet

Energy Transition & Circularity Advisor | Circular Plastics | Chemical Recycling | Policy & Stakeholder Engagement | (views are my own)

The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands

About

Experienced energy professional who has moved from leading complex international exploration ventures to helping shape the industrial energy transition, with a focus on circularity, chemical recycling, policy frameworks and stakeholder collaboration. I bring 25+ years of international experience in the energy sector, combining a strong technical foundation with strategic, commercial and stakeholder-facing leadership. In my current role at Shell Nederland, I work on energy transition, circularity, circular plastics and chemical recycling — at the interface of industry, policy, investment conditions and value-chain collaboration. My background includes senior exploration leadership roles across Europe, Africa and Australia, where I led complex multidisciplinary teams, managed high-value opportunities, and integrated technical, commercial and strategic perspectives in uncertain and often challenging environments. I am driven by complex transition challenges: how to move from ambition to implementation, how to create investable value chains, and how to connect policy, markets and industry capabilities to scale lower-carbon and circular solutions. Core strengths include strategic framing, TECOP risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, venture leadership, multidisciplinary integration, authentic collaboration and clear communication.

Experience

  • Shell (23 yrs 11 mos)
    • Energy Transition & Circularity Advisor Shell Nederland
      Dec 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

      • Energy transition and circularity strategy for Shell Nederland • Focus on circular plastics, chemical recycling and industrial transformation • Connecting policy, industry collaboration and investment conditions • Supporting market creation and scale-up of circular value chains

    • Exploration Manager South Africa & Namibia
      May 2021 - Dec 2022 · 1 yr 8 mos

      • Led Shell exploration ventures in South Africa and Namibia • Responsible for venture strategy, work programme delivery and portfolio framing • Integrated technical, commercial and strategic perspectives across multidisciplinary teams • Managed opportunities and risks in complex frontier exploration settings

    • Venture Lead East Africa & Exploration Team Lead
      Feb 2016 - May 2021 · 5 yrs 4 mos

      • Venture management East Africa and work program execution • Integration of assets, data, staff and knowledge into Shell organisation • Venture Setup and Exit; implement organisational structure for East Africa • Team Lead Nigeria Shallow Water regional project, evaluation and portfolio rejuvenation.

  • Geologist at PanTerra Geoconsultants BV
    Mar 2001 - Aug 2002 · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Technical Data management Shell China team • Providing technical computing support as IT focal point. • Regional study for identification and ranking of prospects and leads in Western China