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Thursday, June 6, 2013 - 1 p.m. EDT
The past few months have seen a surge in A&D activity in the upstream oil and gas markets. Weak natural gas prices and
a relatively stable oil price are acting as catalysts for increased deal activity. Whether it's to raise capital to strengthen balance sheets, develop existing
assets or acquire new assets that better fit their longer term strategic goals, oil and gas corporations are focused on shedding their non-core assets.
What's the likely trajectory of this trend and what factors will continue to drive it? Which buyers are demonstrating the most interest and muscle? Which asset classes will see
the most divestiture activity, and what opportunities does it present you and your organization? How will valuations be impacted and how can you be sure to get the best price? Above all,
how should you adapt your A&D strategy in light of these market conditions and position your firm to benefit from them?
On June 6th, make plans to listen in to Claire Poole's conversation with leading market experts where we'll aim to answer these and other critical questions facing oil and gas
dealmakers as they fine-tune their strategies for 2013. After just 30 minutes, listeners will have a refreshed perspective on the likely opportunities presenting themselves in
the coming months.
Moderator:
Claire Poole
Senior Writer, Energy
The Deal
Claire Poole is a senior writer based in Houston covering energy and utilities. Throughout her time at The Deal, Claire has written many stories analyzing the how
and why of energy deals and speculating on
upcoming activity. She has also conducted insightful interviews with leading energy dealmakers and is often the first to reveal groundbreaking energy news.
Before joining The Deal in 2000, Claire worked as a staff writer at Forbes and was an editor of Worth, El Financiero International and Mexico Business. During her
stint at Mexico Business, she was a finalist for the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists.Claire has also had articles published in Money, Texas Monthly, Businessweek and Latin Trade.
Expert Panel:
Christine B. LaFollette
Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Christine B. LaFollette is the partner in charge of the Houston office and a member of the firm's management committee and the Houston office's
diversity committee. Ms. LaFollette has more than 30 years of experience representing issuers and underwriters in public offerings and private placements of equity
and debt securities, restructurings and financings, including master limited partnerships, as well as federal and state securities laws matters. Ms. LaFollette also
represents clients in public and private M&A and disposition transactions, particularly in the energy industry.
Ms. LaFollette received her B.S. from the University of Texas in 1974 and her J.D. from Loyola University in Los Angeles in 1980. She is a member of
the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association, as well as a sustaining fellow of the Houston Bar Association and a past chair of its Corporate Counsel Section.
She is also a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a former director of the Houston Bar Foundation and a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas.
Ms. LaFollette serves as a director of the Houston World Affairs Council and serves as a director for the National Association of Corporate Directors - Houston Chapter
and the Texas General Counsel Forum. She is a speaker and moderator at various seminars, including those sponsored by the American Corporate Counsel Association, the
Texas Corporate Counsel Institute, Rocky Mountain Securities Conference, the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) and the Houston Bar Association.
Sam Oh
Senior Partner
Apollo
Mr. Oh joined Apollo Management in 2008. He is a Senior Partner and one of the original founding members of the Firm's Natural Resources Group. Prior to that time, Mr. Oh was
with Morgan Stanley's Commodities Department where he led principal investments for the group. While at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Oh led many of the group's principal investment activities
in oil and gas, electricity generation and transmission, agriculture, dry freight, alternative energy, refineries, and carbon. In addition, Mr. Oh helped launch an oil and gas fund,
Helios Energy/Royalty Partners, and sat on the board of several portfolio companies. Mr. Oh has 17 years of experience, including 12 years of principal investing. He also has a broad
range of experience in the commodities markets including risk management and structured products.
Since joining Apollo Management, Mr. Oh has been actively involved in the Firm's E&P investments, including leading the Parallel Petroleum acquisition in
2009. Mr. Oh serves as Chairman of the Board of Parallel Petroleum and is a Director of Athlon Energy. Mr. Oh received a BS from the University of Pennsylvania's
Wharton School of Business and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.
