HUGO LAWRENCE Consultancy Services - ‘Spotlight On’: Executive Advisor in Subsurface SPOTLIGHT SERIES: HUGO LAWRENCE Hugo’s career at a glance. 1.Extensive Subsurface & Geoscience Expertise: Hugo has a career spanning almost 40 years in the energy sector, specialising in Exploration & Production (E&P), geoscience and subsurface management. His experience ranges from hands-on geological roles to leadership positions overseeing subsurface excellence and strategy. 2. Leadership in Harbour Energy and Chrysaor: Served as Vice President of Subsurface Excellence at Harbour Energy (2021-2024) and Chrysaor (2020-2021). In these roles, Hugo played a critical part in driving operational excellence and optimising subsurface activities. 3. Senior Roles at ConocoPhillips: Hugo’s 15+ years at ConocoPhillips included several leadership roles in the UK, such as Subsurface Manager and Subsurface Supervisor for key areas like the J-Area and Central North Sea. 4. Broad Global Experience: Having worked in a plethora of diverse locations like the United Kingdom, Norway, and the U.S., Hugo brings a global perspective to geological exploration and asset management. 5. Proven Track Record in Subsurface Strategy: In each of his roles, Hugo has demonstrated an ability to enhance exploration strategies, improve asset development, and lead teams in achieving operational success in complex subsurface environments. Can you provide an overview of your career in the energy sector? SPOTLIGHT SERIES: HUGO LAWRENCE I have 34 years of experience working with Phillips Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Chrysaor, and Harbour Energy. During this time, I was part of teams responsible for portfolio generation, business development, new field and infrastructure-led exploration, field development and production optimisation projects, cessation of production, and carbon capture and storage. My management experience includes roles in E&P Strategy, Subsurface Exploration, Appraisal and Development Management, Subsurface Excellence, and Subsurface Advisory and Technical Assurance. I have established standards and procedures for various aspects of the subsurface workflow, including play fairway mapping, license applications, well design and delivery, and cessation of production and decommissioning. In 2019, I established the Harbour Energy Subsurface Excellence function, where I developed in-house standards and best practices for the new global Subsurface organisation. This role involved providing technical advice and assurance, aligned with the in-house capital projects management and stage gate standard. I was also responsible for career development and discipline health within the Subsurface community, as well as overseeing recruitment, including for the Graduate Programme. Additionally, I was a member of both the Harbour Subsurface Leadership Team and the Harbour Leadership Group. I have global experience as a geoscientist and team leader in various regions, including Europe (UKCS North Sea, West of Shetland, Norway’s Haltenbanken, and Central Graben), the Middle East and North Africa (covering regional studies across the Arabian Plate and business development activities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Morocco), and exploration drilling in Oman. I have also engaged in business development activities on the Atlantic Margins, including the US Eastern Seaboard, offshore Canada (Newfoundland and Nova Scotia), as well as advisory and assurance work in Mexico, Indonesia (Natuna and Andaman seas), Vietnam, and the Falkland Islands. What unique value do you bring to companies, particularly in a consultancy role? I am focused on technical quality and ensuring that the correct level of technical work is conducted in generating value-adding opportunities. To achieve this, it is essential to equip teams with the right tools, skills, support, and environment to work to their full potential. I am skilled in building and leading teams that deliver effective outcomes and am also an experienced advisor, capable of identifying key deliverables required for stage gate requirements and ensuring the work conducted meets those deliverables. What is your vision for the future of the energy sector, and how do you plan to contribute to its evolution? This is a critical time for the oil and gas industry as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition. While energy from oil and gas will be needed for years to come, the approval of new projects will continue to face scrutiny. I believe my skills can be utilised to ensure the selection, promotion, and approval of the right projects and the efficient delivery of those projects. O N : Can you share an example of a project where your leadership significantly impacted the outcome? For ConocoPhillips UK, I led a team that rebuilt the portfolio of drilling opportunities in the UK Central Graben Quad 30 J-Area. This was part of a broader J-Area Hub Strategy, which included facility upgrades and the evaluation of third-party business. Ultimately, this resulted in the approval and execution of a two-rig, twelve-well development and exploration drilling campaign, which delivered close to a P50 (a 50% probability) outcome in terms of additional production for the J-Area Hub. Please reach out to Peter Bottomley to discuss your Consultancy & Advisory requirements across the energy sector. Upstream Corporate Low Carbon & Renewables weconnectenergy.com How can Hugo support you? P e t e r B o t t o m l e y C h i e f O p e r a t i n g O f f i c e r p . b o t t o m l e y @ w e c o n n e c t e n e r g y . c o m Discuss your needs with W e r e c o g n i s e t h e p o w e r o f e x p e r t g u i d a n c e w i t h i n t r u s t e d n e t w o r k s . C a n o u r A d v i s o r s s u p p o r t y o u ?