Day 1 - Monday 2 June
Opening Session | 16:00 - 18:15
Leadership Interview
In 2024, TotalEnergies celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Company is an international organization that is actively involved in addressing the global energy challenges of the 21st century. Kevin McLachlan, SVP Exploration of TotalEnergies, will discuss the Company’s ambition to be a major player in the energy transition and the ways in which they are leveraging their pioneering spirit and technological capabilities to meet the ever-evolving energy challenges.
Moderator:

Speaker:

Navigating change: Geosciences shaping a sustainable future
Over the next decade, the energy market is expected to shift significantly toward renewable sources, driven by global climate ambitions, societal shifts and technological advancements. Despite the decline of oil and gas in the energy mix, geoscientists are still expected to have a crucial role in shaping the future of energy through their understanding of the earth and efficient utilisation of its resources. Our panel of energy experts will explore the future energy landscape addressing the economics, technology, geopolitics and societal attitudes which will dominate the next decade.
- Emmanuelle Garinet, VP Exploration Africa, TotalEnergies
- Sophie Zurquiyah, CEO, Viridien
- Marie-Line Vaiani, Secretary General, French Energy Council
- Ariel Flores, SVP Subsurface, bp
- Bob Fryklund, Chief Upstream Strategist, S&P Global Commodity Insights
- Nikki Martin, President and CEO, ENERGEO (Moderator)
A New Energy Path for the 21st Century
To lift all humans into energy and economic prosperity by 2075 will involve tripling today’s global energy consumption. This will accelerate economic expansion, which, counterintuitively allows for increased investment in environmental protection. Although all forms of primary energy will grow, nuclear and natural gas will begin to replace coal and oil as the dominant foundational energies. Opportunities exist for deep engagement of students and professionals.
Scott Tinker
Chairman, Switch Energy Alliance
Chief Executive Officer Tinker Energy Associates
Day 2 - Tuesday 3 June
(Room Strauss 2-3)
Role of technologies to accelerate project turn-around
Investment in oil and gas technology has decreased over the past decade. Despite this downward trend we now see a high demand for technological solutions to achieve innovation gains and reduce turnaround time for renewables and exploration projects. We all now recognise the potential of AI to drive step changes in operations and workflows while improving cost and sustainability. What are other current and emerging technologies that can create opportunities for game-changing innovation? We will also discuss current approaches to R&D investment and the innovations needed to support the technology required to meet increased energy demand.
- Bruno Michel, Vice President Geoscience & Reservoir, TotalEnergies
- Irene Waage Basili, CEO, Shearwater
- Trygve Randen, SVP Digital Products & Solutions, SLB
- Wadii El Karkouri, EVP of Imaging and Technology, TGS
- Arnd Wilhelms, SVP Subsurface, Equinor
- Rachael Moreland, Vice President, Energy Software & Advanced Analytics, S&P Global Commodity Insights (Moderator)
Responsible exploration - Faster, cleaner, cheaper
The energy transition is set to influence approaches to exploration and production in the coming decades. Oil and gas companies are increasingly adapting their strategies to prioritise faster and more cost-effective field development in the coming decades. This panel will focus on the new ways in which these companies are approaching exploration and development projects to accelerate time-to-market and develop low-cost and low emission oil projects. Progress will depend to some extent on collaboration with service sectors such as seismic which has its own challenges, an important issue in the discussion.
- Andrew Latham, SVP Energy Research, Wood Mackenzie (Moderator)
- Kevin McLachlan, SVP Exploration, TotalEnergies
- Eugene Okpere, EVP Exploration Strategy & Portfolio, Shell
- Aldo Napolitano, Exploration Director, ENI
- John Ardill, VP Global Exploration, ExxonMobil
- Kristian Johansen, CEO, TGS
Senior Executive Manager’s Lunch (Invitation Only)
Are geosciences equipped for the energy transition?
The energy industry faces ambitious timelines in reducing emissions and decarbonizing energy systems to limit global warming and meet the targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement. Geosciences have the potential to play a critical role in the energy transition but risk lagging behind other faster-evolving renewable technologies as capital is deployed to scale solutions quickly. Can geoscience disciplines remain relevant and what role will they play in shaping future energy systems? How can we transform the image of geosciences to attract the talent needed and are we aiming high enough?
- Chris Page, EVP New Business Development, Viridien
- Will Ashby, EVP New Energy Solutions, TGS
- Gautier Baudot, VP Exploration Excellence & Transformation, TotalEnergies
- Frederique Fournier, Director of Georesources and Energy Center, IFP Energies nouvelles
- Karen Foster, VP Geoscience, Shell
- Ian Conway, Executive Director, Upstream Research & Analysis, S&P Global Commodity Insights (Moderator)
Day 3 - Wednesday 4 June
Plenary Room
Redefining Collaboration: The Future of Technology Partnerships in E&P (SENIOR EXECUTIVE MANAGERS’ BREAKFAST)
Overview: As the E&P industry navigates increasing digital demands and evolving energy dynamics, technology partnerships are emerging as critical levers for success. This dialog will convene industry experts to evaluate the definition of ideal partnerships, explore emerging risks and opportunities, and shape a forward-looking blueprint for technology collaboration and innovation.
Objective: Facilitate an executive-level exchange on the changing landscape of technology partnerships in E&P, culminating in actionable frameworks for successful collaboration models.
- Rachael Moreland , Vice President, Energy Software & Advanced Analytics, S&P Global Commodity Insights (Moderator)
Justifying technology investments
Justifying technology investments is increasingly difficult in the high value environment of today’s energy landscape. Risk aversion often clashes with the need for rapid deployment, innovation, and large-scale projects to drive real value. The traditional conservative mindset, coupled with an emphasis on HSE compliance, can slow adoption of potentially transformative technologies. Despite rising demands, investment in research and development (R&D) has declined, pushing companies to evaluate smaller projects critically. Balancing the “fail fast” approach with high-value returns requires strategic R&D approaches and a re-evaluation of what defines a “good” investment in this evolving landscape.
- Paulo Johann, Senior Advisor, Petrobras
- Andrea Lovatini, Director Western Geco, SLB
- Catherine Javaux, VP R&D, TotalEnergies
- Herlinde Mannaerts-Drew, SVP Oil and Gas Technology, BP
- Carel Hooijkaas, EVP Operations, TGS
- Oscar Abbink, Director of Energy Technology and Innovation, S&P Global Commodity Insights (Moderator)
The future of energy - Where are we heading?
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast oil demand will peak around 2030. However, analysts expect hydrocarbons to play a part in the future energy mix for decades to come, especially in those industry sectors where as yet there is no obvious alternative to fossil fuel utilisation. Just how rapidly developing countries where basic electrification still remains problematic can transition from oil, gas and coal is another major issue in future energy scenarios. How companies will adapt to the changing energy landscape, i.e., meeting unspecified future demand for oil and gas and energy security while making the pivot to low-carbon energy solutions. Will new business models evolve, will incremental change be sufficient, will stakeholders support change, how far will governments intervene. These are the questions to be discussed by our panel.
- Philippe Dewimille, Head of Strategic Analysis & Markets, TotalEnergies
- Ahmad Faisal Bakar, VP Exploration, Petronas
- Simen Moxnes, Senior Advisor New Energy Systems, Equinor
- Graeme Bagley, Head of Global E&A, Westwood
- Bob Fryklund, Chief Upstream Strategist, S&P Global Commodity Insights (Moderator)
Day 4 - Thursday 5 June
Plenary Room
Fueling energy innovation through diverse perspectives (organised by EAGE Women in Geosciences community)
The oil and gas industry faces significant challenges in rethinking traditional business models to meet the demands of the energy transition. By involving voices from different backgrounds, including gender, culture, and expertise, the industry can approach problems with fresh insights, identify overlooked opportunities, and design solutions that are inclusive and more adaptable. Our panellists will explore the value of diversity beyond aspects of social equality. Can diversity truly increase creativity and resilience, leading to stronger business outcomes and technological breakthroughs? And how can more inclusive approaches help us in tackling complex energy challenges and accelerating the transition.
- Marie Planckaert, VP Exploration Carbon Storage, TotalEnergies
- Laura Valentina Socco, EAGE President 2024-25
- Severine Pannetier-Lescoffit, Chief Engineer Geophysics, Equinor
- Sidsel Lindsø, CEO, ExploCrowd
- Habib Al Khatib, CEO, SpotLight
- Azin Karimzadanzabi, Ph.D. Candidate, TU Delft, Chair of the WGE Committee and Women (Moderator)
Geoscience skills shortage - a threat for energy transition? (organised by EAGE Young Professional’s community)
Geoscience professionals support subsurface exploration and management, vital for clean energy initiatives. However, some western countries are experiencing a workforce gap as fewer young professionals enter the field, posing risks to long-term energy transition goals. Addressing this requires targeted investment in education and training to sustain the expertise needed for a resilient net-zero strategy. We also need to address the image of the industry and its attractiveness to a new generation who are concerned with climate change.
- Carrie Holloway, Senior CCS Geologist, SLB , YPs Committee Member (Moderator)
- Tiexing Wang , Project Research Geophysicist, Shearwater, YPs Committee Member (Moderator)
- Elena Dudchenko, Manager of TTS (Transformation Training and School relationships), Total Energies
- Claude Cavelius, CEO, Deeplime
- Natalie Wynne, Partnership and Business Growth Manager, Viridien
Impact of AI on future ways of working
AI has reshaped decision-making in the oil and gas industry, making it faster, more connected, and data-driven than ever before. Beyond technology, though, the real transformation lies in adapting business models to align with the energy transition and evolving leadership styles that leverage diverse data streams and citizenship development. These shifts require new, forward-thinking approaches to how companies operate, pushing for agility in an industry known for its conservative pace. Embracing this digital shift not only demands innovation in technology but also bold ideas in how businesses redefine value and leadership for a sustainable future.
- Harsha Tharkabushanam, Head of Data Science, BP
- Chandra Yeleshwarapu, Senior Director – Products, Halliburton-Landmark
- Sara Amar, Chief Digital and AI Officer, Aker Solutions
- Song Hou, Head of AI Lab, Viridien
- Rachael Moreland, Head of Energy Software & Advanced Analytics, S&P Global Commodity Insights
Strategic Programme Sponsor

