As part of the conference, representatives from a cross-section of the industry took part in lively and informative panel discussions on a diverse array of key issues affecting the broader industry.
Panels addressed a number of topics including: key regulatory developments, litigation trends, inventory monetization for commodities, handling industrial accidents and losses, development and finance for renewable energy, practical Blockchain applications in energy transactions, ethics, and more.
Several common themes emerged from the panel discussions. These included: geopolitical volatility and its impact on the energy and commodities markets; the emergence of new technology that is both improving and disrupting the industry; the world’s transition towards a decarbonized future; the rise of alternative finance models for energy transactions; the reputational impact of industrial accidents, and an expanding U.S. national regulatory framework for energy and commodities markets.
Prajakt Samant, chair of Reed Smith’s global Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group, said: “Decarbonization, geopolitical volatility, the rise of new technology and the development of the related legal frameworks are some of the key drivers forcing change in the global energy and commodities industry today. Organizations that can successfully navigate this volatility and take advantage the new technology, while complying with the current and developing legal frameworks, will be best prepared for the increasingly decarbonized future the industry is facing.”
Reed Smith partner and conference co-chair Stefanie Burt, added: “We are incredibly grateful for the exceptional institutional knowledge, focus on the future, and commitment to excellence shown by all of the panelists that joined us for the conference.”
Fellow Reed Smith partner and conference co-chair Craig Enochs, said: “Our annual private energy and commodities conference in Houston is developed for our clients, who are the primary driver of everything we do. A special thank you goes to all of our excellent presenters and support staff for organizing what is evolving as one of the most informative and concisely presented events in the industry.”
The conference panelists included:
Keynote address
- R.J. Johnston, managing director of Global Energy and Natural Resources, of the Eurasia Group
Panel one: Federal and state energy regulatory roundup
- Former commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and co-chair of Reed Smith’s FERC and energy regulatory team, Colette D. Honorable
Panel two: Current and anticipated litigation trends and risks for the oil and gas industry
- Assistant general counsel for Total, Paige Goodwin
- Associate general counsel with ConocoPhillips, Suzana Blades
- Reed Smith partner and conference co-chair Stefanie Burt
- Reed Smith partners Julie A. Hardin and Lucas Liben
Panel three: Inventory monetization: everything you need to know but were/are afraid to ask about alternative finance structures
- Head of Metals Origination & Structuring - EMEA at ICBC Standard Bank Plc, Mitch Fowler
- Founder of Republic Square, LLC, Eric Kaufman
- Senior legal counsel and assistant corporate secretary of Parkland Fuel Corporation, Tariq Remtulla
- Reed Smith partner Kirsten Polyansky
Panel four: Balancing the practical and reputational aspects of responding to industrial accidents and losses
- Senior legal counsel of the Hess Corporation, Laura Schut
- Reed Smith partners Kevin Dreher and Ben Patton
Panel five: Development and finance issues in renewable energy
- CFO and head of strategy for ConnectGen LLC, David Berry
- Vice president of North American Development for Pattern Energy, Cary Kottler
- Reed Smith partner Brendan McNallen
Panel six: Blockchain in energy
- Senior manager of advisory resources and industries at Deloitte & Touche LLP, Kate Shirey
- Reed Smith partner Christine Trent Parker
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