Expertise

Unconventional natural gas — most notably that found in shale rock — is transforming the gas industry. It will be transformational for major international oil companies, too. But that won’t happen right away, according to an analysis by consultant Wood Mackenzie.

Give countries with natural gas shale deposits some expertise, and they too could tap into the energy bonanza that has transformed North American gas markets, State Department officials said last week.

BP plc has chosen a new chairman whose expertise is in technology — as opposed to someone schooled in oil and natural gas — to take the helm when Peter Sutherland steps down at the end of this year. Carl-Henric Svanberg, now chairman and CEO of Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson, will join the BP board as chairman-designate and become a nonexecutive director on Sept. 1. He officially will step down at year-end from Ericsson and succeed Sutherland as chairman of BP on Jan. 1. Based in London, Svanberg, 57, is expected to devote most of his time to BP business. “Following such a distinguished predecessor is quite a challenge but I’m hugely excited about joining the energy industry, which is so much at the heart of the global economy. I look forward to it with relish,” Svanberg said. Sutherland, 63, has been chairman of BP since 1997. He was scheduled to step down in April, but earlier this year he agreed to remain in his post because of the difficult market conditions that had delayed the search for a replacement. BP CEO Tony Hayward said Sutherland “will be a hard act to follow. But I am sure Carl-Henric will be a worthy successor. He is a businessman of international stature who is recognized for his transformation of Ericsson. Our shared views on many aspects of global business give me great confidence that we will work very effectively together on the next phase of BP’s progress.”

BP plc has chosen a new chairman whose expertise is in technology — as opposed to someone schooled in oil and natural gas — to take the helm when Peter Sutherland steps down, the London-based energy giant said Thursday.

With its expertise in selling and trading all types of commodities all over the world for more than 150 years, Louis Dreyfus’ success in marketing natural gas in North America should come as no surprise. What may have surprised industry watchers is the speed at which its physical gas sales have grown.

With its expertise in selling and trading all types of commodities all over the world for more than 150 years, Louis Dreyfus’ success in marketing natural gas in North America should come as no surprise. What may have surprised industry watchers is the speed at which its physical gas sales have grown.

Tidelands Oil & Gas Corp. has signed a consulting services agreement with CenterPoint Energy Pipeline Services, which will provide expertise in the design and development of Tideland’s ambitious gas infrastructure project in Northeastern Mexico. The project, which will be the first of its kind in the country, will involve construction of two large diameter border crossing pipelines, a gas storage and pipeline hub, another pipeline to industrial customers in Monterrey and an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal.

Looking to add a little more exploration and production (E&P) expertise to its oversight level, Calgary-based Canadian Superior Energy Inc. said it has appointed former El Paso E&P head Rodney D. Erskine to its board of directors.

Looking to add a little more exploration and production (E&P) expertise to its oversight level, Calgary-based Canadian Superior Energy Inc. said it has appointed former El Paso E&P head Rodney D. Erskine to its board of directors.