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Control Risks launches the Top Risks for Business in 2023

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Control Risks pointed to a combination of fractious geopolitics, armed conflict, disrupted energy systems, economic strife, and disarray in digital networks during the coming year

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 15, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Businesses will face a historically broad and deep set of risks in 2023, posing interconnected and existential threats across geographies and sectors, says specialist risk consultancy, Control Risks (www.ControlRisks.com). Launching its annual RiskMap forecast featuring the Top Risks for business, Control Risks pointed to a combination of fractious geopolitics, armed conflict, disrupted energy systems, economic strife, and disarray in digital networks during the coming year.

The Top Risks for business in 2023 are:

  • Defiance, decoupling and deconfliction in the US China relationship
  • War, and all that goes with it
  • Managing while adapting – surviving the energy disruption
  • The end of global networks is coming
  • Economic headwinds bring regulatory turbulence

Control Risks CEO, Nick Allan warned: “2023 will see more geopolitical and economic volatility accompanied by operational challenges in energy and digital networks. The increasingly apparent effects of a changing climate will add additional stresses and strains. Resilience, insight, and courage will be the watchwords for business in the year ahead.”

Supporting the Top Risks for 2023 is a new map, the Global Risk Forecast, showing a holistic business risk rating for the countries of the world that draws on a selection of risks. The composite score includes Control Risks’ political, security, operational, regulatory, cyber and integrity risks and includes a range of ESG-related risks. Each rating reflects Control Risks’ outlook for overall risks to business to the end of 2023, taking into account known or anticipated trends and developments that could impact the business environment.

The Top Risks for business in 2023

2023 will see more geopolitical and economic volatility accompanied by operational challenges in energy and digital networks

Geopolitical Risk – Defiance, decoupling and deconfliction in the US China relationship

The US-China relationship is the greatest geopolitical risk for businesses in 2023. Armed conflict between the US and China remains very unlikely in 2023, but competition and confrontation are moving from the trade and technology realms into the military domain. Companies in 2023 must be alert to the prospect of an accident or miscalculation involving US and Chinese military vessels operating in Asia. Businesses must monitor efforts to decouple critical supply chains. Rising bilateral tensions will not affect all companies equally. Strategic and high-tech sectors in both countries will face rising political risks; many in less sensitive industries will continue to experience business-as-usual conditions.

Security Risk – War, and all that goes with it 

In 2023 war, or the prospect of war on several timelines and triggers should be high on everyone’s risk register. There will be continuing risk of escalation and overspill from the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The complex commercial, operational, reputational, supply chain and sanctions risks from this war means many are considering what these would look like in the event of a conflict in East Asia. The likelihood of such an event in 2023 is very low, but certainly significant enough to warrant the planning that many firms are now engaged in. Beyond these spheres, proxy conflicts and perennial flashpoints could disrupt trade and energy security.

Operational Risk – Managing while adapting: surviving the energy disruption 

Managing energy disruption while pursuing adaptation, will be the main operational risk to business in 2023. Energy has returned as the main driver of global disruption, and this will be a permanent, systemic change.  There will be no return to a pre-2022 stability and businesses should plan not only to survive the short-term price and supply shock, but how to thrive in a new, comprehensively re-wired, global energy system. Companies will need a strategic approach to three key drivers of disruption that will shape business operations in 2023 and beyond: the weaponisation of energy; technological advances accelerating the energy transition and unavoidable decarbonisation targets.

Cyber Risk – The end of global networks is coming 

In 2023, expect the emergence of a fundamental breakdown of global networks into distinct regional, or even national architectures, caused by the weaponisation of cyberspace and a clash of national interests. The ambition of operating a single, global network will be significantly challenged. Enabled by an expanded attack surface and a significant increase in automation across the entire spectrum of cyber threats, the cyber arms race will accelerate in 2023. In parallel to this weaponisation, states are looking to exert more control over what some have already defined as their national cyberspace. Network and system resilience will be tested like never before in 2023.

Regulatory Risk – Economic headwinds bring regulatory turbulence 

Our top regulatory risk for the year is the turbulence caused by government responses to tougher economic conditions and fiscal fragility. Governments will be targeting revenue and striving to steady state finances. Wherever they turn, the corporate world will feel the heat one way or another.  Whether through windfall taxes, trade restrictions or protectionist supply-chain mandates, corporates will be targeted when governments need to shore up their finances and bolster populist credentials. In some cases, regulatory changes will constitute a short-term pain, but governments may also seize the moment to make structural and long-term changes – to taxation, to investment rules, to trading restrictions.

RiskMap 2023 will be live from 16 November 2022. It will feature multimedia content on the Top Risks, and the new interactive Global Risk Forecast map https://bit.ly/3EbCXvl

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Control Risks Group Holdings Ltd.

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Premier Invest Highlights Milestone Oil & Gas Financing Partnership with Shell at Invest in African Energy Reception in London

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As an African-owned investment banking and advisory firm, Premier Invest is aiming to bridge Africa’s oil and gas financing gap through strategic partnerships in the sector

LONDON, The United Kingdom, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Rene Awambeng, Managing Partner at investment banking and advisory firm Premier Invest, outlined Africa’s current oil and gas financing gap and strategies for unlocking global capital at the Invest in African Energy reception -organized by the African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) – in London on Thursday. Last month, Premier Invest signed a milestone agreement with Shell to enable access to financing for oil and gas projects across the continent.

The agreement to co-finance and originate oil and gas agreements in Africa aims to drive growth in the oil and gas sector across the continent

Under the strategic partnership, the two companies will collaborate to identify and co-finance oil and gas transactions in Africa that have the potential to generate significant returns, while creating value for local communities and economies.

“The agreement to co-finance and originate oil and gas agreements in Africa aims to drive growth in the oil and gas sector across the continent. We will work together to identify and evaluate potential opportunities in the oil and gas market and leverage our respective expertise to fund projects that have the potential for significant returns. This is a significant step forward in our commitment to support the growth of the sector,” said Awambeng.

The partnership serves to address the persistent lack of FDI on the continent – in which Africa receives only five percent of global investment – placing African countries at a disadvantage when it comes to establishing requisite infrastructure to produce refined petroleum products and increase power generation and distribution capacities. According to Awambeng, 50% of oil product consumption in Africa is met through imports, despite Africa being a net crude oil producer.

“To address these finance challenges, we have put together an African-owned and managed investment banking firm to offer a range of financial advisory services supporting clients across industry to invest in small, medium and large-sized projects… The continent lacks funds to finance its oil and gas projects, as well as needs technology to manage its oil and gas industry,” said Awambeng.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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Top 5 Reasons to Attend Angola Oil & Gas 2024

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AOG 2024 serves as Angola’s premier energy event, providing unparalleled opportunities for international investors and stakeholders to gain access to the oil and gas market

LUANDA, Angola, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s oil and gas industry is growing rapidly, with a $60 billion investment pipeline planned for the next five years, a 2025 limited tender on the cards and industry reforms offering improved fiscal and contractual terms. The county’s premier industry event Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) connects international stakeholders to the market, serving as a bridge between foreign players and Angolan projects.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Strong International Focus

In recent months, Angola has been strengthening cooperation with various global partners to support oil and gas development. Recent deals include with Italy, the UAE, South Korea, Ivory Coast and many more. These deals and future collaborations are expected to drive project development and innovation in Angola while supporting global demand through Angolan exports.

The 2024 edition of the conference builds on this to bring new players to the market while promoting projects, partnerships and potential investment opportunities. In addition to local and regional delegates, AOG 2024 will feature the participation of delegations from China, the UK, the UAE, Germany, Portugal, Brazil and many more. International companies are invited to participate in the event and seize new opportunities in Angolan oil and gas.

Access Upcoming Projects

Last month, Angola’s national concessionaire for the oil and gas industry the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) announced a series of measures that aim to support crude oil production in Angola. This comes as the country recently awarded oil and gas companies Etu Energias, Effimax Energy and Grupo Simples Oil a new concession for Block CON 8, stipulating an exploration phase lasting five years from the signing of the contract.

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Angola is enhancing cooperation with global players, including IOCs such as Chevron, TotalEnergies, Azule Energy and ExxonMobil, to bring new projects online and maintain hydrocarbon production above 1.1 million barrels per day through 2027. A key component of AOG 2024 is unparalleled access to upcoming projects. Attendees will be given exclusive access to the latest requests for proposals, tenders, market trends, policies and regulations shaping the sector.

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Drive Real Investment

Each year, AOG cements itself as the platform of choice for partnerships, collaborations and multi-billion-dollar deal signings. In 2023, seven industry-advancing deals were signed, laying the foundation for collaboration, market growth and future prosperity. In 2024, this trend is expected to continue as foreign companies travel to Luanda to engage with Angolan companies. The conference’s multi-track program covers the entire oil and gas value chain, providing insight into investment opportunities and strategic projects.

Participate in Exclusive Networking

The AOG 2024 conference serves as an opportunity for local, regional and international delegates to collaborate and discover new avenues for investment. Delegates can connect with top energy investors and executives – from operators, IOCs, NOCs and independents – as well as government officials, industry innovators and financiers to expand their professional network.

The event offers extensive opportunities to network and build meaningful business relationships, including exclusive networking breaks and lunches, the closing Networking Cocktail as well as the Gala Dinner and Awards which recognizes the companies pioneering the oil and gas industry in Angola.

Help Fuel Development

With the recent commencement of construction at Angola’s first integrated economic zone as well as its first aluminum industrial park, the country is on track to accelerate economic diversification and sustainable development. Apart from oil and gas, AOG 2024 is poised to set the benchmark for development in Angola while facilitating a strategic investment hub for various sectors in the country’s public and private sectors.

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Angola continues to provide great opportunities for international investors to develop energy projects that serve local and international energy demand. AOG 2024 targets key initiatives in the country including a heightened exploration drive, gas monetization, local content development and renewable energy and will clearly show Angola’s ambition and future plans for development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Liberia Showcases Upstream Investment Opportunities at Invest in African Energy Reception in London

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Ahead of a new licensing round, Liberia is offering incentives for early investors, coupled with extensive 2D and 3D seismic data in its Liberia and Harper basins and a working petroleum system previously established by global majors

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Kicking off the Invest in African Energy (IAE) reception in London on Thursday, Marilyn Logan, Director General of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), showcased Liberia’s available oil and gas blocks and upstream investment opportunities. The reception served to connect major technical and financial partners to Africa’s energy sector ahead of the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy conference in Cape Town this November, organized by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org).  

Global investors have been clamoring to Africa’s frontier markets in recent months, with countries like Namibia, Mauritania and Mozambique attracting sizable oil and gas CapEx spending, coupled with a renewed exploration focus in West Africa. Liberia represents a proven petroleum system supported by extensive reprocessed 2D and 3D multi-client seismic data in its Liberia and Harper basins.

“Liberia stands out as a new and exciting destination for oil and gas exploration. Positioned strategically on the West Africa Transform Margin, Liberia shares geological similarities with the Jubilee field in Ghana and [discoveries] in Guyana. We are on the verge of a new decade realizing untapped potential in West Africa, and Liberia is ready to play a pivotal role.” 

Our round is expected to attract serious investors, with Liberia offering incentives for early investment and ensuring the yield of substantial returns

“Many years ago, many thought Namibia was an oil man’s graveyard…Today, there are even more prospects in countries like Liberia. The belief coming out of [London] drove exploration in places like Namibia – Liberia could be a replica of that,” added NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Logan highlighted the role of majors ExxonMobil and Chevron in confirming the presence of a working hydrocarbon system, which has been supported by recent seismic surveys and data reprocessing that show promise of significant reserves. In 2021, the country opened a direct negotiation process for 33 offshore blocks in the Harper and Liberia basins, with plans to launch a new round later this year. 

“Liberia’s upcoming 2024 licensing round provides the opportunity to secure prime exploration blocks. Our round is expected to attract serious investors, with Liberia offering incentives for early investment and ensuring the yield of substantial returns,” said Logan.

In addition to its prospective hydrocarbon resources, Liberia offers a competitive fiscal regime, stable governance and a conducive operating environment. According to Logan, the country has established a fee structure that incentivizes and rewards oil and gas investors with appropriate returns, while still ensuring Liberia retains social and economic benefits from oil and gas extraction activities.  

“On the policy side, the Liberian government has implemented a robust oil and gas program to ensure a conducive environment for oil and gas investments, including a streamlined regulatory process and stable and democratic political environment,” she said. 

“We have to keep an enabling environment – when we enable you to put in money and finance projects, then we both win. The idea of resource nationalism has to go, and also the demonization of the energy industry,” stated Ayuk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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