Stanbic hosts Oil and Gas conference
Staff Writer | Monday April 27, 2015 17:33
The primary objective of the conference was to create a foundation for industry stakeholders, across the upstream, midstream and downstream sub-sectors. It was also to network and share industry views, experiences and best practice, prepare for the future of the growing industry in Botswana and to be well positioned to unlock its full potential.
The conference touched on the African sub region Oil & Gas industry and later focused on the Botswana context highlighting its potential on energy as a whole and how to monetise the resources. Sheperd Aisam, Head of Client Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking, Stanbic Bank Botswana pointed out that “the Oil & Gas sector is an important subset of the key strategic focus areas in Corporate and Investment Banking globally.
“We are a bank firmly rooted in the African continent and our opinion is that economies require sufficient energy to create sustainable growth. Through Standard Bank Group, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in advising and arranging capital for projects in the energy sector. This event was to position our thinking around the industry in Botswana and it was exciting to see that other stakeholders share the same passion and are determined to see success. It is a journey and we need to be courageous about the decisions we take today that will empower the economy into the future.” Speakers included Paul Eardley-Taylor and Nicholas Green Standard Bank, Mahube Mpugwa, CEO of Puma Energy Botswana, and Mosetlho Kenamile, General Manager Operations at Botswana Oil Ltd. Paul focussed on key themes such as the impact of falling crude oil prices, the upstream and downstream developments, the case of coal bed methane, shale gas and coal-to-liquids. “Botswana has the potential to reduce its energy dependence on neighbouring countries by exploiting its own domestic Oil & Gas potential.” Mpugwa shared on industry perspective and touched on the regulatory framework while Kenamile talked about the role of Botswana Oil in the market as well as their vision and mandate.