CEOs Robert Johnston and Al Walker to Deliver Keynote Addresses at 2017 IPS

HOUSTON, Texas (Feb. 27,  2017) – The Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) has secured two high-profile oil and gas industry leaders as keynote speakers for its Second Annual AIPN International Petroleum Summit (IPS):  Robert Johnston, chief executive officer of Eurasia Group, will  speak in Houston on May 16, and  Al Walker, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Anadarko Petroleum, will speak on May 17.

For Johnston’s biographical profile, please visit www.eurasiagroup.net/people/RJohnston. For Walker’s biographical profile, please visit www.anadarko.com/About/Executive-Officers/.

The 2017 International Petroleum Summit will be held in Houston May 15-17 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel located at 2222 West Loop South in Houston.  AIPN introduced the International Petroleum Summit in 2016. The International Petroleum Summit represents the combination of AIPN’s Annual Spring Conference and International Conferences into a single premier event.  This year, the event will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Journal of World Energy Law and Business, which is AIPN’s official journal, published by Oxford University Press.

With more than 4,300 members in more than 110 countries, AIPN expects to attract hundreds of attendees from the United States and many other countries to this year’s event.  International Petroleum Summit delegates represent numerous international oil and gas companies, host governments, law firms, academic institutions, and media outlets. The 2017 International Petroleum Summit will address topics relevant to the oil and gas industry including foreign investment; mitigating commercial and legal above ground risks; technology advancements and their impact on the oil and gas sector; security issues; and identifying upstream opportunities. The event also offers highly focused and extremely popular business networking sessions; career enhancement opportunities; presentations on global and regional industry developments; sessions designed to strengthen negotiation and other business skills; and access to deal makers, “in country” legal and regulatory experts, sponsors, speakers, panelists, and exhibitors.

On May 15, the International Petroleum Summit will feature pre-conference workshops aimed at providing essential insights into negotiation skills, oil and gas asset valuation, and key negotiating strategies to utilize the AIPN’s model form Dispute Resolution Agreement; a speed networking event open to all registered attendees; and a welcome reception.

On May 16, David Davies will deliver opening remarks in his role as outgoing AIPN president.  Tim Martin, chair of The Journal of World Energy Law and Business Executive Committee, and Peter Roberts, general editor, will explain the history of the publication and its impact on the petroleum industry over the past 10 years.  Conference sessions will be held throughout the day, with a Gala and Awards Dinner that night.  A keynote presentation and conference sessions will continue May 17, with a wrap up hosted by outgoing AIPN President David Davies and closing remarks delivered by AIPN Incoming President Steve Otillar.

“AIPN established an excellent foundation with our inaugural International Petroleum Summit in May of last year.   We attracted almost 300 registered attendees for our first Summit, and we fully expect to see an even greater level of participation in our second year,” commented Davies. Based in London, Davies is vice president for business development with Sterling Resources.  “The speed networking sessions hosted at the beginning of our Summit are truly some of the best organized and most effective in the oil and gas industry.  Our formal workshops, presentations, and panel discussions provide extra value to our delegates who find that the Summit is just the right size for fostering dialog and building relationships that will endure long beyond the end of our three-day event.”

Attendees have the option to register for all or some of the AIPN International Petroleum Summit events.  Fees range from $100 to $1,495 for members and non-members and are based on the level of participation an attendee prefers.  Group rates are available for 3 or more full delegates. Registration for the International Petroleum Summit for members of the working media is complimentary.  (Please visit www.internationalpetroleumsummit.org for details.)

Co-chairing the 2017 event are Tony Cioni, an energy attorney who focuses on domestic and international exploration, production, and construction development, and Cyril Vock, upstream negotiator and attorney with Total E&P. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Cioni was a co-chair of the inaugural AIPN International Petroleum Summit held in The Woodlands in May 2016. Vock is based in Paris, France.

Current sponsors include Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Tauil & Chequer Advogados; Holland & Knight; King & Spalding; K&L Gates; and Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from $1,500 to the $20,000 Platinum Sponsor level.   See www.internationalpetroleumsummit.org for information on sponsorship opportunities and benefits.

“The mission of AIPN, as an independent not-for-profit professional industry association, is to bring together upstream energy professionals from around the world to help build relationships, provide a forum for discussion and to enhance their effectiveness in negotiating deals.  Our events are tailored for commercial negotiators, as well as legal and technical professionals.  We pride ourselves in developing and sharing model contracts that are widely accepted throughout the world, and AIPN members are well versed on how to use them” commented Otillar.  “Our delegates who attended the Summit last year were impressed that they had direct, personal access to decision makers and upstream opportunities around the globe.  When delegates leave the Summit, they take with them information, contacts and knowledge that they can apply the next day when returning to work.”

“Our 2018 International Petroleum Summit will be held in London, and we are anticipating that a large contingent of delegates will attend from the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East as well as the U.S.,” Otillar added.  Based in Houston, Otillar is a partner with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.