• CERAWEEK
  • March 10 - 14, 2025

Sam Laidlaw

Neptune Energy

Chairman

Sam Laidlaw, Chairman Neptune Energy Group. He is an experienced energy industry executive, with an international operational track record of over thirty years in the oil and gas sector. Most recently, Sam was CEO of Centrica plc (2006 to 2014). Centrica is a FTSE 100 integrated energy company engaged in sourcing, producing, trading and supplying energy and a range of related services, with annual revenues of over £29Bn. Centrica’s activities include the production of 210,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Prior to joining Centrica, Sam was EVP of Global Business Development of Chevron Corporation (2003 to 2006), CEO of Enterprise Oil and he built the International Exploration and Production business of U.S. oil company Amerada Hess (1981-2001), before becoming Group President and COO (1995-2001). Sam is a Non-executive Director of Rio Tinto plc and Chairman of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB). Previously Sam has also been a member of UK Government’s Energy Advisory Panel, President of the UK Offshore Operators Association, a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group, the Senior Director for the Department of Transport and a Non-Executive Director of both HSBC Holdings Plc and Hanson Plc.

Sessions With Sam Laidlaw

Monday, 11 March

  • 07:30pm - 09:00pm (CST) / -

    North Sea: The revival continues

    Panel Oil

    After a record-breaking year for M&A in the North Sea in 2017, and 2018 not far behind on value and with a larger number of deals, 2019 has arrived with no let-up in activity, with a plethora of assets up for grabs and, seemingly, no shortage of interest from buyers. Why invest in this middle-aged arena? Has age diminished its charm, or made it more alluring? Private equity–backed companies have been keen buyers; Have they grown value, and how and when will they exit? Technical and commercial innovation are driving value; How have the “specialists” transformed the landscape? Are we kicking the decommissioning issue down the road?