⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

The most effective leaders in extractives treat informal signals—regulatory nuance, shifting political tone—as critical data. Their advantage lies in systematizing how this intelligence shapes commercial strategy long before a tender is drafted.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Ukraine's $486bn reconstruction and critical mineral reserves are drawing early capital. Yet, the ultimate advantage will lie with investors who are currently focused on building the foundational relationships and local consensus required for durable entry.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 2 Minute Read

China's new mineral law creates a strategic three-layered defense system, challenging Western nations to develop equally sophisticated resource security partnerships and leadership.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

For CEOs of major mining firms, strategic materials producers, and EPC companies, the key constraint on project delivery is human expertise. The ‘Critical Minerals Diplomat’ translates strategy into execution, aligns stakeholders, de-risks projects, and secures the early-stage partnerships essential to the energy transition.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 2 Minute Read

The structural shift in the Baker Hughes rig count from oil to gas is a clear signal: BD leaders must now align their strategies and key relationships with the decade-long gas investment cycle now taking shape.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Ukraine's mineral wealth is assured. Its development, however, hinges on a scarcer resource: the relationship brokers and agreement architects who build the necessary bridges of trust and structure.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Sanctions have rerouted Russian crude, not eliminated it. This creates a complex market defined by new intermediaries and payment systems. For strategic deal-makers, the critical task is mapping this opaque landscape to identify both risk and opportunity.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Yergin’s framework shows that victory in major oil and gas projects is not won on technical merit alone. It is secured by leaders who can architect stakeholder alignment and navigate geopolitical risk with the same precision they bring to a commercial negotiation.

⌝ Andriy Shevchenko | 5 Minute Read

Ukraine is ready for investment on new terms. The government has significantly improved and liberalised the system for issuing mineral extraction permits, with over 140 sites planned for electronic auctions.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Nigeria's upstream potential is ultimately a question of alignment. Its development hinges on pairing international capital with in-country partners who can navigate the complex stakeholder landscape to structure durable joint ventures and secure decisive pre-tender positioning.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

The LetterOne-Harbour Energy stake illustrates how sophisticated energy investments are ultimately enabled by trusted relationships between operators and capital partners - alliances that can structure arrangements to meet both commercial objectives and regulatory requirements.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

How business development leaders and country managers can position an OFS firm as a trusted partner in the operator’s boardroom before the technical evaluation even begins.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Navigating energy sector deals with a blended strategy. We examine the Strategic Collaboration Model—how industry leaders balance competitive positioning with high-stakes partnerships.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

As lenders decarbonise, E&P operators face a new financial reality. The OFS sales leaders who will win are commercial strategists who can speak the language of both operational performance and emissions reduction.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Oil prices are softening, supply is rising, and demand growth is slowing. In 2025 tenders, operators will reward OFS companies that prove resilience, integration mastery, and leadership under pressure.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is reshaping its global energy role, driving investor confidence, clean tech innovation, and strategic partnerships—positioning the Kingdom as a key player in energy transition.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

Nigeria targets revenue growth through strategic upstream investments, infrastructure expansion, and fiscal incentives—positioning its energy sector for increased production and long-term profitability by 2026.

⌝ Arno Saffran | 5 Minute Read

In Iraq's crucial energy zones, foreign companies seeking lucrative deals must navigate a complex tapestry of tribal loyalties, political influence, and financial labyrinths that defy standard business playbooks.