United Kingdom
35+ years oil industry experience with Shell in Upstream and Downstream businesses. The last 20 years have been in the Upstream sector with commercial positions primarily involved with new business opportunities and development projects. A graduate in Mathematics, initial roles were in operational research, business consultancy and IT. Charles holds an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK and has experience in the technical and commercial maturation of projects to Final Investment Decision, particularly covering aspects such as investment economics; Joint Venture management and petroleum agreements. His experience also covers new business opportunities in countries with major hydrocarbon resources again with a focus on the commercial aspects ( Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Russia). Recent roles have broadened to involve business planning and high level commercial negotiation support for major investments. This covered both specific projects investments and analysis in support of negotiations on fiscal terms. In his most recent role he was responsible for the assurance of valuations of investments and Business Plans for Shell in Russia as well as being a member of the Global Economics discipline leadership team. Charles has in-depth knowledge of business and project economic modelling with a flair for getting to the essence of a problem by exploring and understanding the details of the situation. He has excellent communication skills and can deliver high quality fit-for purpose solutions. He has a natural unforced style of leadership underpinned by respect for his team members’ abilities and aspirations. He is interested in both project and full-time roles in either the UK or International arenas.
Experienced ex-oil industry consultant in economics and planning
• 4 direct reports running economics in support of all investment proposals, strategic studies and asset decisions. • Projects range from brownfield onshore oil in Western Siberia to Integrated LNG ventures, coping with varied and dynamic business environment ( commercial terms/ fiscal changes / political situations) • New business opportunities assessing major new technical and commercial challenges (Offshore Arctic and Unconventional) • Staff development for new entrants (to the Company and discipline) are a major priority • Global Economics discipline team member - steering the techniques, standards, competences of the economics community and throughout the business to manage Shell’s value from existing and new ventures
• Responsible for economic analysis for business opportunities/ issues outside normal day-to-day business ( 2 direct reports). • Managing bespoke economic models covering novel commercial arrangements, eg carry agreements, and analysis of the proposed changes in the fiscal / contracts terms covering projects in Deepwater, Shallow water and Land, oil, gas and midstream. Fiscal regimes covered both Tax/ Royalty and PSC regimes • Managing the interface with external consultants ( eg WoodMackenzie, McKinsey) for business modelling in support of lobbying of Government. • Involved in mentoring and developing the talent pipeline for Economists in Nigeria. • A member of the Shell Upstream global working group on Economics Standards and Guidelines.
Managing a small team running the economics and preparing the investment proposals for developments in Kazakhstan. The team also prepared the Annual Business Plans and other corporate information requirements eg Reserves reporting.
Economist/ Commercial advisor for New Business Opportunities in North Africa