Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Nigeria bullish about oil recovery
Efforts to restructure and boost investment appear to be working, but doubts remain about the plan to almost double crude production by 2030
Power play signals change in Nigeria
With a new board appointed to lead NNPC and moves by President Tinubu to exert control in the Delta region, there is renewed hope the country will be able to turn the corner and rebuild production to former peaks
Dangote must face energy security home truths
Nigeria’s mega-refinery is traversing the world in search of crude for the majority of its needs and may well export large swathes of its products
West Africa’s rising star
Cote d’Ivoire’s ambitions to become a major regional producer have gained renewed momentum, with established players and new entrants striking upstream deals and committing to long-term investment
Hydrocarbon Processing Refining Databook 2025: Middle East & Africa
The Middle East is focusing on modernisation and expansion projects, while Africa is seeking to reduce its imports of refined products
Thinking small helps African LNG prospects
While large-scale planned LNG schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have faced fresh problems, FLNG projects are stepping into that space
Africa’s new breed of buyers eye production ramp-ups
Domestic companies in Nigeria and other African jurisdictions are buying assets from existing majors they view as more likely to deliver production upside under their stewardship
Untangling Dangote’s supply
The Nigerian mega-refinery has yet to reach its full product-producing potential
Nigeria’s first FLNG project faces supply problem
The lack of a gas supply contract means the development is likely to face further delays
African divestment deals are back in the frame
After some delay, the much-heralded sale of oil and gas companies’ mature upstream assets in sub-Saharan Africa has gained fresh momentum, with a clutch of deals reaching completion
CEO of Afentra Paul McDade
Tullow Oil Cote d'Ivoire Ghana Nigeria
Simon Ferrie
18 May 2021
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

Ex-Tullow CEO sees fresh African opportunities

Paul McDade sees big opportunities among stranded assets in West Africa for his new company

Former Tullow Oil CEO Paul McDade recently led a buyout of management and significant shareholders at UK upstream independent Sterling Energy, which has since been renamed Afentra. McDade spoke to Petroleum Economist about the relaunched company’s priorities, its African ambitions and the takeaways from his time as Tullow CEO. Afentra—short for African Energy Transition—will employ an acquire and build model focused on producing assets and discovered resources rather than greenfield developments, he explains. The firm will look at asset quality and potential, for instance whether a field’s productive life could be extended in a cost-effective manner, and is “agnostic” about whether particula

Also in this section
Trump’s energy report card
11 August 2025
The administration is pushing for deregulation and streamline permitting for natural gas, while tightening requirements and stripping away subsidies from renewables
OPEC+ off-target in July
8 August 2025
The producers’ group missed its output increase target for the month and may soon face a critical test of its strategy
The great OPEC+ reset
7 August 2025
The quick, unified and decisive strategy to return all the barrels from the hefty tranche of cuts from the eight producers involved in voluntary curbs signals a shift and sets the tone for the path ahead
Latest EU sanctions largely toothless
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search