July 2017
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How did you come to be in the oil and gas industry? |
I have spent my whole career in the gas and energy services industry, my first job position being in the gas transmission sector.
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Aside from low commodity prices what do you believe is the greatest challenge to our industry’s future growth? |
Ability to face with agility the tripe request of decarbonization – decentralization and digitalization of our stakeholders.
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Where do you see the greatest opportunity in today’s global oil and gas markets and how are you positioned to capture this opportunity? |
Combine energy and digital to maintain and possibly expand our current position in the energy value chain.
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If you could wave a magic wand over our industry, what would you change and why? |
Get the benefit of fossil fuels without the negative impacts on climate.
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What are the strategic priorities for your company in the next 12 months? |
Succeed in building the facilities we committed to in China and develop new businesses, so as to be a recognized player of the Chinese energy transition.
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What differentiates your company from similar companies working in Asia-Pacific? |
A global utility able to integrate complex and various energy systems.
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How would you describe your company in one sentence to a new client/partner/investor? |
A global energy leader deeply engaged in the world energy transition.
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What is your proudest work-related achievement to date? |
Setting up a company, ENGIE China, where diversity is a reality (6 nationalities, 45% women).
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What was the wisest advice you received from a mentor? |
To be ready to take any opportunity when arriving.
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What advice would you pass onto a recent graduate wishing to work in oil & gas? |
Fasten your seatbelt! Disturbances to come.
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Name one interesting fact about you that no one would suspect? |
I love British humour.
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How do you prefer to spend your spare time? |
Sport.
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What’s your favorite holiday destination? |
Any open country.
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All-time favorite book? |
Midi Olympique (French rugby newspaper).
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All-time favorite film? |
The Mummy with Brendan Frazer.
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What three items would you take with you to a desert island? (NB: you may not choose a boat, raft, satellite phone or a book on ‘Practical raft-building for Dummies’) |
Never want to go to a desert island.
About
Nobuyuki Higashi is Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Planning Division in INPEX Corporation. His previous role is General Manager in Asia, Oceania and Offshore Japan Project Division.
He joined INPEX Corporation in 2013 after his 31 years’ career as a banker in Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC). In his responsibility as Executive Officer in JBIC, he led both of sovereign and project finance in oil & gas sector as well as infrastructure sector in Asia and Pacific region. He is also former Board Member and the Representative of Japan in the Credit Guarantee Investment Fund (CGIF) established by ASEAN+3 member countries and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He has a lot of experiences for LNG project financing such as Australian NWS, Indonesian Bongtang and Tangguh, Malaysia Tiga, Qatar Gas, and Russian Sakhalin II project. He used to work as a gas analyst of the International Energy Agency (IEA) since 2008 to 2009, and published the official working paper entitled “Natural Gas in China” in 2009. He also issued several reports and studies including a joint study book entitled “The Governing Ability of China, Economics Chapter IX; Energy” published in 2006.
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