Chad Barrel
Technology and Business Strategy
Midstream, Clean Tech, UpstreamUnited States, Europe, South America
1. What is your profession? Or if you are retired, what was your profession?
Technology & Strategy - Conventional Oil & Gas technology, to emerging technologies enabling the Energy Transition
2. What are your areas of expertise?
Midstream: Engineering Operations, Technology, Projects, Corporate Development
Upstream: Technology, General Management, Corporate Development, Operations, Facilities Management, Mechanical Eng., Completions, Project Management, Supply Chain, Marketing, Executive
Upstream Areas: Onshore, Offshore
Clean Tech List: Technology, Commercial, Engineering, Project Management, Corporate Development, Executive, Supply Chain, I.T/Digital
Types of Clean Tech: CO2 capture, Wind, Hydrogen
3. Current Employer:
Top secret information
4. Previous Employers:
Top secret information
5. How did you end up in the Energy Industry?
After completing my engineering degree at university, there were several companies from a number of industries at the recruitment day. At that time, Oil & Gas companies offered the top graduate rotation programs with opportunities to work in every department, and the industry offered incredible prospects to travel the world while getting your hands dirty. Even with the highs and lows of the energy market, it is a decision I would make over again.
6. Why do you like working with Start-Ups?
It is the chance to help out those who need support and truly value your input. There is a higher level of achievement when working with passionate individuals who are chasing their dreams. Any way in which I can help contribute to that journey using the experience and network I have is extremely rewarding.
Okay, now for some fun things about Mr. Barrel
7. What are three of your interests outside of work?
I am a very keen cyclist, who loves to travel and spend time with my family. I am probably at my happiest when I get to combine all 3. It is a great way to decompress and see the world with those most important to me.
8. What are your top 3 accomplishments (personal or professional)? Don’t be shy! Give ‘em to us.
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Successfully leading the integration of a $15B merger and delivering the required cost synergy targets was very rewarding given the hours invested.
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Secondly, covering 800miles by bike from London to France for charity was a top physical and personal achievement.
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My proudest achievement, however, is starting an acquisition and consulting firm for private companies who are seeking owner transition and legacy preservation. It is an opportunity to work with the founders of start-ups after decades of success, and ensure their company has a successful and sustainable future. The knowledge of both stages of a company maturity life-cycle is invaluable.
9. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be .
Teleportation I think. If I could see the sun rise in Hawaii, climb the Grand Canyon in the morning, visit my family in London for lunch, before skiing a few runs in Japan during the afternoon, and then be home in time for dinner, it wouldn’t be too bad.
10. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a when I grew up.
From the day I discovered Lego I knew I wanted to be an engineer. My grandad was a successful engineer, so following in his footsteps was my sole ambition. It also meant we got to spend hours building projects in his garage from casting aluminum wheels for a tennis ball serving machine to developing a coin mechanism for a golf ball vending machine. I know he was very proud to see me reach our dreams.
11. If I weren't so damn good at what I do now, I'd probably be .
During university I did spark an interest in becoming a pilot, and still wonder what would have been. Being a pilot in the Royal Air Force would have been a phenomenal experience not easily replicated in corporate America.
12. My favorite song is by .
Probably "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor. His relaxing tones became the soundtrack to our family holidays in the south of France. Just hearing those first few chords take me back to some of the earliest and fondest memories as a family.
13. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd .
I would most likely start an angel investment firm with my newfound wealth. It means I can continue to do what I love, but have the financial means to help even more.
14. The best piece of advice I've ever been given is .
I don’t know if I was ever told this, or if it was born out of too many long days in the office, but remembering “life is a journey, and not a destination”, is something that I remind myself constantly to make sure I stay in the moment and focus on the now.