Do you believe in coincidences?

[Paciottiman]

Shell is buying BG for $70,000,000,000. Read part of  Chris Finlayson's bio below. He is Chairman of Interoil.

Chris Finlayson

Chairman

Chris Finlayson is a geologist, physicist and petroleum engineer by training with more than 37 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Chris joined BG Group on 1 August 2010 after a 33-year career with Royal Dutch Shell plc. He led BG Group’s operations in Europe and Central Asia until November 2011 when he became Managing Director of BG Advance. In this role he was responsible for BG Group’s world-class exploration team, major capital projects programme, technology, contracts and procurement and information technology.

He was appointed to the BG Group board on 15 November 2011 and was Chief Executive from 2013 to 2014. He focussed on improving operational performance of the existing asset base and on the timely execution of the group’s major investments in Australia and Brazil.

Chris has a track record of delivering large-scale capital projects and improving operational management in challenging circumstances, having led major ventures for Shell in Russia, Nigeria, Brunei and the UK North Sea. He also has more than 15 years’ experience at senior level in the LNG industry, covering upstream development through to LNG shipping and marketing. Chris has worked successfully with joint venture partners, national oil companies, and governments at the highest levels.

[ArtM72]

If Chris can gin up another $70 billion deal, this time for IOC, I'd be inclined to go along with it. ;-)

[wapitidropiti]

Shell is buying BG for $70,000,000,000. Read part of  Chris Finlayson's bio below. He is Chairman of Interoil.

Chris Finlayson

Chairman

Chris Finlayson is a geologist, physicist and petroleum engineer by training with more than 37 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Chris joined BG Group on 1 August 2010 after a 33-year career with Royal Dutch Shell plc. He led BG Group’s operations in Europe and Central Asia until November 2011 when he became Managing Director of BG Advance. In this role he was responsible for BG Group’s world-class exploration team, major capital projects programme, technology, contracts and procurement and information technology.

He was appointed to the BG Group board on 15 November 2011 and was Chief Executive from 2013 to 2014. He focussed on improving operational performance of the existing asset base and on the timely execution of the group’s major investments in Australia and Brazil.

Chris has a track record of delivering large-scale capital projects and improving operational management in challenging circumstances, having led major ventures for Shell in Russia, Nigeria, Brunei and the UK North Sea. He also has more than 15 years’ experience at senior level in the LNG industry, covering upstream development through to LNG shipping and marketing. Chris has worked successfully with joint venture partners, national oil companies, and governments at the highest levels.

Being a holder of a boatload of IOC shares, I guess I am a believer in coincidences. Gullible? Probably

[Thylacine-2]

I remember reading, most likely here, that the reason he left BG was because he differed with the board of the company. He wanted to build the company and they wanted to put it on the market. At the time I thought his attitude fit what most of us want for IOC.

[Relker]

It is clear that Shell with a debt to equity ratio amounting to 0.26 and cash on hand 22 B at year ultimo is looking for cheap assets. Of course, they can drill in the Arctic. This is an expensive enterprise and meets a lot of criticism from the environmental lobbyists. Buying the BG group leads to direct extra cash flow amounting to 2B apart from the synergies in coming years. With Shell's financial ratios it can borrow very cheap, say 2%. Leaving the money in the bank leads to negative interest. So, this acquisition is not a coincidence but shrewd calculation.

[Li'loilady]

Well spoken, Netherlander.