Petralon Energy, an emerging independent company in the African oil and gas sector, has recently announced the appointment of Philip Clarke as its Technical Director. With over 35 years of extensive experience in upstream operations, Clarke is expected to lead the organization’s technical endeavors, further reinforcing Petralon’s dedication to achieving strategic value and operational excellence in the region’s energy landscape. His seasoned background and proven track record in prior roles make him a promising asset for the company’s future.
Before joining Petralon Energy, Clarke had a distinguished career that includes a 20-year tenure at BP, where he played significant roles in major international development and exploration projects. His extensive array of technical and managerial experiences has not only shaped strategic business operations but has also facilitated new ventures across various global markets. In addition to his experience with BP, Clarke founded consultancy firms such as Novas Consulting Ltd and Santa Clara Energy Ltd, where he provided expert technical and strategic guidance to a diverse range of upstream clients—a testament to his proficiency in the field.
From 2015 to 2020, Clarke served as the Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and New Ventures at Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V., a key role in which he oversaw significant divestments, including the shedding of a 50% stake in the company. Furthermore, he managed new ventures and non-operated interests in three deepwater production fields in Nigeria while working with Prime Oil and Gas in Rotterdam. This combination of leadership roles in major organizations highlights his competency in steering companies through global energy challenges and enhancing their operational viability.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Petralon Energy, Ahonsi Unuigbe, expressed enthusiasm regarding Clarke’s appointment, stating that it complements the company’s corporate objectives and long-term vision aimed at increasing production by 600% by 2030—from their current net production level of 2,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Unuigbe noted that Clarke has already added considerable value to Petralon in an advisory capacity over the past year, and they anticipate his contributions will expand significantly as he transitions to this strategic position.
In his remarks about this new role, Clarke conveyed his excitement about collaborating with Unuigbe and the rest of the team to elevate Petralon Energy’s business operations to meet their ambitious strategic goals. He acknowledged that the company has established a clear and robust long-term strategy and emphasized his commitment to ensuring technical delivery in all dimensions of the organization’s operations. This includes optimizing their owned and operated assets while seeking opportunities for growth aligned with the company’s strategic development goals.
Overall, Philip Clarke’s extensive background and leadership experience present a significant opportunity for Petralon Energy as they pursue their ambitious targets in the competitive African energy market. His proven expertise in managing technical operations and strategic ventures will be instrumental in elevating the company’s performance and contributing to its substantial growth objectives, as both Clarke and Petralon aim to realize their shared vision for the future.
