Welcome to the First Edition of The Surge for 2026!
A new year is always full of promise, and when there’s as much in the pipeline as we’ve got going on, you’ll understand why we’re straight out of the starting blocks with some major announcements and the beginning of a full calendar of events – all tailored to our global upstream leadership network and all with that distinctly “Frontier” factor.
Get Ready for the First Global Upstream Leaders Forum
This is big… the inaugural event in our flagship Global Upstream Leaders Series takes place NEXT WEEK, in Luanda.
Angola is frequently credited nowadays with creating the blueprint when it comes to encouraging international upstream investment, so it’s fitting that this is the setting as we bring together senior government officials, national oil companies, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of Africa’s upstream sector.
Access is restricted to Frontier Energy Network Members and invited senior industry guests only – creating an environment where genuine connections, collaboration and deal making are facilitated.
Speakers include:
David Hajovsky, Executive Vice President, Multi-Client, TGS
Brian Unietis, President & General Manager - ExxonMobil Angola
Alcides Andrade, Executive Board Member, ANPG Angola
Miguel Baptista, Managing Director, Central, East & Southern Africa, SLB
Nina Birgitte Koch, Senior Vice President, Equinor
Simon Cheesley, Director of Sub-Saharan Africa, EDA, Viridien
Nahed Kahloul, Vice President Offshore Atlantic East, SLB
Franklin Vasco, Deputy Managing Director - Operations & Sales, TECSEP - A Task Synergy Group Company
Shakwa Nyambe, Managing Partner & FEN Regional Leader, SNC Incorporated
Gayle Meikle, Founder & CEO, Frontier
Daniel Davidson, COO, Frontier
Need to be a part of this conversation? Secure your place in the room by requesting a copy of the Luanda agenda. If you’re not already a member of the Frontier Energy Network Membership, find out more here.
Already confirmed are CEOs, Presidents, SVPs, Managing Directors, Country Heads, Exploration Directors, Commercial & M&A leads from across the value chain, including leadership from:
ANPG Angola (𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑮𝑰𝑪 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑵𝑬𝑹), Chevron, ExxonMobil (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), Shell (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), Equinor (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), PETRONAS, Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation, TotalEnergies, SLB (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), Halliburton, Weatherford, Saipem, Oceaneering, TGS (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), Viridien (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), Geoenergies, Core Laboratories, TECSEP - A Task Synergy Group Company (𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑶𝑹), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Standard Bank Group
Global Upstream Leaders Forum - dates for 2026:
Luanda, 26th January
London, 18th March
Aberdeen, 9th June
Rio De Janeiro, 9th September
Houston, 18th November
Thank you to our Global Upstream Leaders – Luanda Sponsors & Partners: ANPG Angola, ExxonMobil, TGS, Viridien, SLB, Equinor and TECSEP - A Task Synergy Group Company.
Sponsorship Opportunities for 2026
Elevate your brand where upstream decisions are made. Sponsorship of our Global Summits and Global Upstream Leaders Forum Series, give your company unmatched exposure, face-to-face access to senior industry leaders, and entry into an exclusive circle of global decision-makers.
Request a copy of our Sponsorship Prospectus or contact our team:
Roxy Ali
Director of Sales & Events
Neil Borthwick
Director of Sales & Events
Liam Clancy-Murphy
Sales Director
Join us for the 9th Africa Energies Summit
Attending the Africa Energies Summit® | Africa’s Premier Global Upstream Conference | 11th - 14th May 2026 is not just about being present, it’s about positioning yourself at the dynamic centre of Africa’s evolving energy future.
Access Senior Decision-Makers: Connect directly with ministers, regulators, national oil company executives, and other influential leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape.
Exclusive Insights: Gain forward-looking, practical, and thought-provoking content that goes beyond theory to inform strategies, investment decisions, and policy planning.
Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful, high-level relationships with key industry players, investors, and partners in a confidential, intimate setting.
Emerging Opportunities: Discover new investment prospects, partnerships, and market trends before they hit the mainstream.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: Understand the latest innovations, policy developments, and sustainable growth strategies driving Africa’s energy sector forward.
Check out the links below for the latest information on...
Confirmed Speakers - the major names contributing their knowledge and expertise to the agenda
Request Agenda - the topics, the regional and technical focuses
Become a Sponsor - position your company at the heart of the African upstream industry
Confirmed Sponsors and Partners for Africa Energies Summit 2026
Celebrate Leadership. Elevate Your Profile. Enter the 30th Big Five Board Awards!
Marking three decades of excellence in Africa’s upstream sector, the 30th Anniversary Big Five Board Awards are the ultimate recognition for leadership, innovation, and impact in the continent’s energy industry.
Sponsored this year by Rhino Resources, we’re so proud to host this landmark edition of the Big Five as a fitting finale to the 9th Africa Energies Summit, as we celebrate today’s industry trailblazers across our range of categories designed to showcase the most impactful organisations and individuals active across the continent.
Why enter?
Gain prestigious recognition among Africa’s most influential energy leaders.
Showcase your achievements in strategy, governance, and innovation.
Strengthen credibility with investors, partners, and stakeholders.
Join an elite network of pioneers shaping the future of African energy.
Position your company at the forefront of Africa’s energy transformation, submit your entry here and be part of a legacy of excellence.
World Energies Summit - Turns Insight into Opportunity
The SLB Regional Showcase Theatre at the World Energies Summit | The World’s Premier Global Upstream Conference | 14th - 15th October 2025 combines targeted content, visibility, and engagement in a single, focused platform.
Highlighting the unique energy landscapes, investment prospects, and policy developments of specific regions, we bring together local and international stakeholders in a curated environment, opening the investment discussions and encouraging collaboration.
In this clip, Alexander Zaslavsky of Horizon Engage gives you a flavour of the discussion held during the Capsian and Central Asia panel session.
Registration is now open for 2026 – take advantage of our Super Early Bird Rates
NEW FOR 2026: Frontier Upstream Insights
Frontier Upstream Insights takes you behind the scenes of the global upstream energy sector. Through in-depth conversations with industry leaders and experts, we explore the trends, challenges, and breakthroughs that are shaping the future of oil, gas, and new energy opportunities. Each episode delivers practical insights and thought-provoking perspectives, helping our audience stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Join us:
25th March 2026 - New Frontiers: The Next Guyana - 10 Basins Poised for the Next Big Discovery & More…
17th June 2026 - Designing the Perfect Bid Round: What Governments Must Do to Attract Capital in 2026+
7th October 2026 - Sanctions, Conflicts & Energy Security: How Geopolitics is Redrawing the Global Upstream Map
Welcome to our new members this month
Scott Parker, Business Development Manager, International Joint Industry Studies, Core Laboratories
Joe Ramoin, Vice President Strategic Services, Core Laboratories
Karyna Rodriguez , Vice President Global New Ventures, Searcher
Babis kalenderidis, Senior Sales Leader, Searcher
Adelino Pereira, Operations & Technical Director, TECSEP - A Task Synergy Group Company
Noa Paulo, Director, TECSEP - A Task Synergy Group Company
Franklin Vasco, Director, Operations, Sales, TECSEP - A Task Synergy Group Company
Alex Gall, Advisory Consultant, Xodus
Travis Smithard , Chief Executive Officer, Rhino Resources
Nicola Hutton, Financial Director, Rhino Resources
Michellevan Tonder, Executive Assistant to CEO, Rhino Resources
Dates For Your Diary
Global Upstream Leaders’ Forum
📌 28th January 2026, Luanda, Angola
Global Upstream Leaders’ Forum
📌 18th March 2026, London, UK
Frontier Upstream Insights: New Frontiers: The Next Guyana - 10 Basins Poised for the Next Big Discovery & More…
📌 25th March 2026 – LinkedIn Live
📌 12th – 14th May 2026, London, UK
Global Upstream Leaders’ Forum
📌 9th June, Aberdeen, UK
Frontier Upstream Insights: Designing the Perfect Bid Round: What Governments Must Do to Attract Capital in 2026+
📌 17th June 2026 – LinkedIn Live
Global Upstream Leaders’ Forum
📌 9th September, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
📌 29th – 30th September 2026, London, UK
Frontier Upstream Insights: Sanctions, Conflicts & Energy Security: How Geopolitics is Redrawing the Global Upstream Map
📌 7th October 2026 - LinkedIn Live
Global Upstream Leaders’ Forum
📌 18th November, Houston, USA
Interested in Sponsoring with our Global Upstream Leaders Series? Request Our Sponsorship Prospectus!
We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Surge. If you’re not already a Member we hope this has given you an insight into the Frontier Energy Network, and shown you how we connect energy people around the world to make real progress happen.
Join us - the global energy community!
