Laurance Narbut, Acceleration Resources

May 2018

Where do you see the opportunities for growth within the industry in the next 5 years, how are you positioned to support this?

There continue to be improvements in completion technologies that continue to improve unconventional well productivity, in some cases with significantly lower cost. New technologies are also making it possible to more precisely target and develop conventional projects. We position ourselves to be a partner of choice for upstream operators in the low-/midmarket, which tends to be underserved by the larger private equity players.

What question or industry issue are you looking forward to hearing about at Canada Assembly 2018?

How is industry going to address takeaway constraints in natural gas and heavy oil?

In what ways can the local industry be encouraged and promoted by the government and by the private sector?

A streamlined regulatory approval process for pipeline projects.

What are some of the factors for potential investors to consider when looking at Canada?

Positives: Royalty regime, ease of title, quality of management teams.

Negatives: Transportation/differentials, the variability of governmental regulation.

What have been the evolutions in your business in the region/country over recent years?

Given the positives associated with Canada outlined herein, we have set up a Canadian office in 2016 and have completed five local investments. We continue to see strong deal flow in a market underserved by capital providers.

About Laurance Narbut

Laurance Narbut is the Founder and Managing Partner of Acceleration Resources. Mr. Narbut brings a combination of private and public equity investing (Passport Capital, Richmond Financial, SUN Capital Partners), investment banking (Credit Suisse First Boston), and consulting (Parthenon Group) experience to Acceleration Resources. At Passport Capital, at its peak a $5 billion investment firm, Mr. Narbut was a portfolio manager for the energy strategy, investing across multiple funds and focused on upstream oil & gas and energy service investments. During his nine years at Passport, he led investments in the US, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, the UK North Sea, Kazakhstan, Russia and Africa.

His investment approach combines rigorous company and sector analysis paired with a focus on downside risk-mitigation. Mr. Narbut attended Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania (dual degree from Wharton and the College of Arts and Sciences). Mr. Narbut has served as President of the Phillips Exeter Academy Association of Northern California and supports multiple non-profits in the Bay Area providing scholarships to economically disadvantaged children.