Fiona C. Laird

A Note from Reese Energy Consulting It’s impossible to unsee what we saw last Saturday. Impossible to hopscotch over a horrible event with a backward wave that reads, “nothing to see here, move along.” And so, we won’t today. Years ago, Reese Energy Consulting decided at the very outset of our LI content strategy to eschew engagement with political matters. We chose instead to share the latest oil and gas news our readers would find useful, even valuable, using a distinctive voice. Our ethos hasn’t changed, nor will it. But then there are seismic events we can’t ignore. The kind that wreaks havoc to a level that not only rocks our nation but the world. REC gives pause this Tuesday to send our prayers to all those impacted by last weekend’s tragedy whose lives have been forever changed. #GodBlessAmerica ---Steve Learn more about Reese Energy Consulting at https://lnkd.in/ebXT2mS. For more information about our online natural gas training courses, visit us at https://lnkd.in/g_jDyx_Y.

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Check out our latest webcast where we reflect on the progress in LGBTQ+ rights and recognize the challenges that remain. We share personal insights on fostering an inclusive environment through open dialogue, diversity training, and supportive policies. Let's ensure our efforts extend beyond Pride Month, driving meaningful change year-round. Additionally, we'll share personal stories—JoLynn's rejuvenating vacation in Europe and Anthony's journey after losing his mother-in-law, highlighting the importance of mental health and compassionate support in our workplaces. Let's keep the conversation going -- How can we keep the support and conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion ongoing?

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Navigating through Storms In times of #crisis, ingenious #leadership is put under the microscope, revealing the true caliber of those at the forefront. Crises demand more than reactive measures; they require leaders to take swift, strategic actions while communicating transparently and effectively. #Compassion is equally crucial, as understanding and addressing the concerns of all parties involved fosters trust and unity. It is crucial for every leader to reflect and be prepared for any eventuality. Failing to prepare is tantamount to preparing to fail. Read my insights in my recent article published on #Naukri.com’sAllThingsTalent. The Leadership Compass: Ashish Pradhan, President, Siegwerk Asia on Navigating through Storms (allthingstalent.org)

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NYS energy policy continues to be discussed by policymakers in Albany. Let your elected officials know how you feel about limiting the use of natural gas. #betterplannobans #energychoice #useyourvoice

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A good read on the power sector in the US, illustrating how innovation, culture and change management must go hand in hand. #Innovation #Culture #ChangeManagement #EnergyTransition #EnergyEcosystem

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Wendel’s VP of Energy, Jason Denue, PE sat down with Jim Schafer to discuss building energy efficiency and decarbonization on his podcast. Check out the episode below.🎙️

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The rise of AI in selection appears to have gamified the process. Job seekers either alone or with the support of numerous companies that are springing up, optimise their LinkedIn or CV to get picked by the algorthums. So, is AI finding the best candidates or those with the best optimisation?

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Tim Harford who I’m proud to say is a veteran of the Shell scenarios team from before my time makes a very important point. Indeed, the current solar driven clean energy revolution could and should have happened a decades ago. Even in communist Eastern Europe I remember my kid’s science magazines were full of solar power, geothermal heating, hydrogen and even concentrated solar for melting steel. Later during my IEA tenure I looked into the Governing Board documents from the 1970s/80s golden age, the sense of urgency about transforming the energy system and also the mood of optimism about technology was striking. The very first time the mainstream media in the 70s widely quoted IEA analysis was not about oil markets, it was a critique US energy efficiency policy that was deemed to be “inconsistently designed and inadequately funded’. It is sobering to realize that the same age is still regarded as the high point of US energy efficiency efforts. The reason for urgency was very simple: oil was about to run out with shortages of oil undermining industrial civilization. The optimism was underpinned by the belief in the power of big government R&D working hand in hand with big business. That was still the generation of the Apollo Program and the Bell Labs (pioneering among others the first functioning solar panels) and they just delivered a transformative change in the energy system in the form of the scale up of nuclear. Hydrogen would transform the energy system by 1990 since oil is running out anyway and the primary energy source for hydrogen production, nuclear will be too cheap to meter. Instead, new discoveries and production methods triggered an abundance of oil and two decades of low prices after the 1986 price collapse. The build up of nuclear was in retrospect the last hurrah of the big government – big business nexus: with project problems and cost overruns, it was already in trouble before Chernobyl. Nuclear is coming out of its downcycle with new nuclear innovation only these days. With both the sense of urgency and the technological optimism gone, the energy system went into hibernation, with the share of fossil fuels today hardly different from 40 years ago. The drivers today are the same: running out, just this time from a carbon budget, not oil. Geophysics refuted the peak oil hypothesis, I don’t think anything will refute climate science. While the politics of Chinese supply chains is to be watched, it is hard to see what could lead to a disappointment about solar technology, the sense of technological optimism is back. One thing is still missing: Today, political decision makers like to say that climate change is an existential threat, those days they were actually acting as one facing it. 

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Not all philanthropy is nice, or even benign. Sometimes, it is completely sociopathic and leads to insanely bad outcomes, like enhancing the ways people hate each other. Enter the Ford Foundation... "It’s April 2023, and, a world away, the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), a think tank set up and directed by the Chinese state, is hosting a conference in Beijing to discuss how to “promote the formation of an internationally accepted ESG system with Chinese characteristics,” including through China’s globe-spanning influence and infrastructure plan, the Belt and Road Initiative. But this effort by America’s top geopolitical adversary isn’t too far afield for the Ford Foundation to fund; it has given CDRF $600,000 to help realize its ambitions." "What the Ford Foundation has always most abhorred is the democratic will of the common man. As early as 1949, the authors of a key report setting the foundation’s core priorities were openly disdainful of democratic self-government, dismissing the “grotesque” “myth” that “any citizen of reasonable character” was qualified to make important decisions. Instead, they insisted that “at every level of government,” leadership must be placed “in the hands of those best fitted to serve.” Only “sensitive and intellectually gifted men and women” were fit to make decisions as the “competent technicians and administrators” of the country and ensure “the welfare of the general public.”" If you hate technocrats, you probably don't hate them enough. There is work to do to build constructive institutions that create good outcomes in society. That work probably necessarily involves working to undermine organizations that undermine society. This is a serious war of ideas with real consequences for human welfare and society at large. If you haven't run across N.S. Lyons on Substack, I would highly recommend following.

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Natural gas plays a crucial role in the energy transition, yet it is often misunderstood and misrepresented, hindering progress. The U.S. has paused new LNG export project approvals despite the significant CO2 emission reductions enabled by shale gas in the past decade. Similarly, energy producers in Australia are facing challenges in communicating the importance of natural gas. In a recent video, Jane Norman and Cooper Energy effectively highlight how natural gas aligns with the energy transition. They skillfully navigate the complexities of natural gas's impact on society, industry, trade, energy transition, and emissions in a clear and thoughtful manner. This approach stands out by avoiding oversimplification, ensuring a more nuanced understanding for all stakeholders. #gas #naturalgas #LNG #energytransition #emissions #co2 #trade #renewables #power

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Tellurian Inc. trims workforce amid strategic shifts: As the company explores options to sell its Haynesville shale gas business, capitalizing on potential buyers, key decisions loom in the coming weeks. Analysts estimate the business value at up to $365 million, but weakened natural gas prices pose challenges. Another dynamic move in the LNG landscape. Truly, CC #lng #energy #whywedowhatwedo #emergingmarkets #future #upstream #midstream #news

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🛢️ Cenovus Energy to Invest $1.5 Billion in Ohio Refineries Over Next 5 Years Exciting news from Cenovus Energy!🚀🚀🚀 The company announced its plans to invest $1.5 billion in its Ohio refineries over the next five years, focusing on facilities in Lima and Oregon.🛢️👷‍♂️📈 🚀 This significant investment will cover maintenance, reliability measures, and market access projects, highlighting Cenovus Energy's commitment to enhancing its refining capabilities in the region. 🌐 Cenovus Energy, a leading producer of oil and natural gas with operations across Canada, the United States, and the Asia Pacific region, is poised to bolster its position as the largest refiner in Ohio. 👥 With nearly 1,200 employees in the state, Cenovus Energy's investment underscores its dedication to supporting local economies and driving growth in the region. Exciting developments ahead for Cenovus Energy's refining operations in Ohio! . . . 📈 Ready to Transform? Contact Olufola Wusu today to secure your consultation, to assist with streamlined market entry into Nigeria, Africa's prime market with over 200 million people.🚀💹 🌐 Opportunity Awaits: Tap into unparalleled success with Olufola Wusu, a recognized market entry authority in Nigeria and with oil and gas experience in six other African nations. 🚀 Ready to Propel Your Success? Don't let opportunity slip away! Take charge of your growth journey now by scheduling your consultation with us. Send a message to Olufola Wusu and ignite your path to success today! 🌟 #marketentry #Nigeria #Lagos #lawyers #Nigeriaisopenforbusiness #RegulatoryImpact #oilandgas #LNG #Gas #NigeriaGasInvestment #NigeriaInvestment #GasInfrastructure #DecadeOfGas #InvestmentOpportunities #OilandGasReforms #InvestmentIncentives #OilandGas #InvestmentOpportunities 🌟 #EnergyInvestment #RefineryExpansion #EconomicGrowth Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Finpro Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Polish Agency for Enterprise Development Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) QatarEnergy LNG ADNOC Group SLNG - Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd American Bar Association Gasum International Bar Association Canadian Gas Association Southern Gas Association Colorado Oil & Gas Association  Louisiana Oil & Gas Association South Hook LNG Terminal Company Ltd.  American Gas Association Natural Gas Supply Association Ohio Oil and Gas Association Society of Petroleum Engineers - Oklahoma City Section The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma

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Great podcast for my early morning dog walk. Be sure to listen to it. Jackie Forrest asks Peter Tertzakian if peak ESG is behind us? Let's first clarify that ESG and corporate sustainability are not the same: they are distinct in their focus and objectives. ESG is primarily about corporate disclosure and performance against specific data points and metrics. Corporate sustainability is about long-term strategy and risk management around a company's most pressing ESG-related issues. Given this distinction, perhaps a more relevant question might be: If ESG has peaked, will a commitment(s) to corporate sustainability follow, or will it only become more pronounced, urgent, and even regulated?" A prime example is Canada's new Modern Slavery Act, which is indicative of how regulations are becoming more stringent, especially on issues that fall under the "S" (social) component of ESG. The legal and reputational risks this law establishes certainly are not going anywhere, have anything but peaked and will certainly grow as a cause of concern for investors. #humanrightsarethenewGHGs #socialissuesaremorethanDEI https://lnkd.in/gHH-5n82

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🌍🛢️ Noting ExxonMobil’s Legal Response to Climate Activist Groups! Today’s news about ExxonMobil taking legal action against climate activist groups caught my attention. This issue is more than just a legal dispute; it addresses significant questions about shareholder rights and corporate governance. 📌 Key Points: ExxonMobil Lawsuit: ExxonMobil claims that climate action groups are interfering with its oil and gas business by repeatedly proposing shareholder resolutions, leading to the lawsuit. 📈 Investor Reaction: Institutional investors, like CalPERS, have expressed concern that ExxonMobil’s lawsuit might hinder legitimate shareholder rights. 🏛 Political Involvement: The issue has escalated to political circles. Republican state governments are urging asset managers not to oppose ExxonMobil’s board, while Democratic officials are asking the opposite. 👨🏻‍💼 Legal Proceedings: A federal judge in Texas has ruled that ExxonMobil’s lawsuit is valid, accepting the company’s argument that repeated shareholder proposals can disrupt normal business operations. In relation to this, climate activist investor Arjuna Capital has promised not to file any similar proposals in the future, aiming to persuade ExxonMobil to drop its ongoing lawsuit. However, ExxonMobil has not yet committed to withdrawing the lawsuit. Additionally, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods has expressed frustration over opposition to the company's lawsuit, particularly from CalPERS. Woods argues that the lawsuit is necessary to clarify if such proposals can be reintroduced in the future and to protect long-term shareholder value. This situation highlights ExxonMobil’s efforts to prevent the misuse of the shareholder proposal system and to ensure SEC rules are clearly interpreted and enforced. This case deals with important issues of #shareholder rights and #corporate governance. It is a significant example of how companies and shareholders can collaborate and respond to crucial issues like #climate change. I am watching closely to see the long-term impact of ExxonMobil’s legal response and hope that these discussions move towards a more constructive and transparent direction. #ExxonMobil #ClimateAction #ShareholderRights #CorporateGovernance #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/gQmw8edj

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Change is inevitable, don’t fight it, embrace it and make the most out of it. Always see the positives. Here are 5 ways to help you do it successfully

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🎉 What an incredible SIOP 2024 in Chicago! 🎉 It was so fun to learn from and connect with colleagues new and old 🤓 Per usual, I took roughly 20 pages of notes. But I won't bore you with all that. Here are the two key ideas stuck out to me: 1️⃣ Leaders don't need to know everything The leadership evolution continues with a shift from expertise to a demand for more collaboration, facilitation, and coaching. This is often a relief to many of my leadership coaching clients who feel like they need to be experts on everything (including their directs development) to be a good leader. It's less about telling employees what to do and more about facilitating them to discover their own answers. 💡 Bottom-line: Less advice, more asking your team to bring you their solution ideas (not problems). 2️⃣ Coaching and I/O Psychology are taking their relationship to the next level I was *delighted* to see many more sessions devoted to coaching at SIOP this year (and have the opportunity to speak in one of them)! While as coaches, we need to leave our expertise at the door when working with clients, our training allows us to keep our "instrument" (our coaching skills) sharp. Having a research mindset allows us to be good consumers of ever-evolving research and bring evidence-based tools into our practice. 💡 Bottom-line: Coaching continues to be a strategic development tool for practitioners and leaders alike. 👇 If you attended: What was your top SIOP takeaway?

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9 Consequential Energy Predictions - Midyear Review As has been my habit for a dozen years as a contributor at Forbes, it is time to conduct a midyear review of the annual energy predictions I made at the first of the current year in a piece titled “9 Consequential Energy Predictions For 2024.” It’s a little past time, actually, but a series of life events intervened. Better late than never. So, let’s just review those 9 predictions in the order they were made and see how we’re doing so far: Non-Tesla automakers will be pressured by investors to scale back #EV plans further. This certainly has happened so far in 2024, with the most consequential shifts coming at Ford Motor Company. After suffering massive losses in the first quarter of 2024, Ford management announced it would delay billions of dollars in EV-related investments, along with plans to scale back plans to introduce new battery electric car models in favor of introducing a set of hybrid cars instead. General Motors has also moved to scale back and revise its own EV planning and production, and announced last month it was scaling back even more in response to slowing consumer demand for electric cars. For its own part, Stellantis announced layoffs of 400 workers in March as part of a cost-cutting program in its EV division and rolled out further cost-cutting measures last month. With consumer demand for EVs continuing to soften, we can expect these and other automakers to continue scaling down their plans and goals across the remainder of 2024. Renewable energy sources will keep growing, but growth will be tilted to solar more than wind. This headline is self-explanatory, and again, there is no doubt it has been accurate thus far in 2024. The #EIA reported in June that new additions of solar generation have not only outpaced wind growth in the first half of the current year, but solar has also grown faster than all other power generation sources. No surprises here. The world will again use record volumes of coal. Despite the spending of trillions of dollars by #OECD governments on subsidies for alternative generation sources over the last 30 years, the world used a record amount of coal during 2023. My prediction in January was that, despite predictions by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy Agency and others that coal usage would reach a “peak” in 2024, global coal consumption would reach a new record high this year, driven mainly by demand growth in non-OECD nations like China, India, Indonesia and other developing nations. The jury remains out on this one, but stories about plans in both #China and #India for massive increases in their coal production, imports, and usage, along with rapidly rising global electricity needs due to AI and other factors indicates no such “peak” will be achieved anytime soon. Read the rest at the link below. Enjoy! https://lnkd.in/gSfqJX8p

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Great leadership insights from Tom Lubnau on the lessons we can learn from the Fetterman battle. These universal principles apply not only to Wyoming but also in every new leadership position. I suspect Crazy Horse and Red Cloud understood them better than Captain Fetterman and would have had a lot to share with Sun Xzu. Check out the article to gain valuable leadership insights. #LeadershipLessons #FettermanBattle #UniversalPrinciples

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