Energy Digital Magazine April 2024 | Page 24

LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT

Plenty of companies are taking an abundance of measures to ensure they are being more conscious and kinder to the planet . But one company , and its CEO , come up head and shoulders above the rest .

Cue Sam Laidlaw , Founder and Executive Chairman of Neptune Energy . Since it was established in 2015 , Neptune Energy has worked its way up to take what is now a leading position in gas with material improvements on greenhouse gas reduction under Laidlaw ’ s leadership . Its stance when it comes to environmental responsibility is solidified by its joining of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative ’ s ( OGCI ) Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative and its own target for zero methane emissions by 2030 . OGCI ’ s initiative , with supporters such as bp , Shell and QatarEnergy and supporters among the likes of Accenture , SLB and Society of Petroleum Engineers ( SPE ), establishes an all-in approach that treats methane emissions as seriously as the industry already treats key issues like safety .
Neptune Energy is also noted as one of the UK ’ s lowest carbon producers in their operations , with their transition objectives also complemented by exceptionally strong financial performance .
Sam Laidlaw : An extensive energy career The son of the late Sir Christophor Laidlaw , a manager at bp who rose through the ranks to be Deputy Chairman before becoming Chairman of computer maker ICL , Laidlaw ’ s early career kickstarted with his stint at Eton followed by reading Law at Gonville and Caius College , Cambridge , gaining an MA in 1977 . Two years later , he qualified as a solicitor and then obtained an MBA another two years later from the INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau , France .
Starting his foray in the energy sector at US oil company Amerada Hess in that same year , 1981 , Laidlaw played an integral part in building the business ’ North Sea arm , then holding other executive roles such as President and COO from 1995 until his resignation in 2001 .
“ Sam Laidlaw has made many valuable contributions to the growth and success of Amerada Hess Corporation over the course of his twenty year career with the company ,” said John B . Hess , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at the time .
Among his other career highlights are EVP of Global Business Development

“This transaction offers a new and exciting phase for Neptune ”

24 April 2022