Osterwald Rathbone & Partners frequently work with governments on key issues affecting the energy sector.
As examples, we have:

• Created energy master plans for governments in developing countries, which have been used to help ensure maximum value was created for the nation
• Have become very experienced in all aspects of privatisation, ranging from helping host governments successfully restructure enterprises, to preparing privatisation strategy and providing negotiation support

All of these steps are useful in making the successful transition from a state-owned entity to the private sector. We have also generated company strategies, representative examples being:

• Advised a chemical company in the Middle East entering the market for advanced fibres and composites
• Developed policies to help the Canadian Province of Alberta add value to its economy by diversifying from bitumen production by adding to the range of chemicals it could produce

We also have extensive expertise advising on the policy and commercial aspects of oil and gas pipeline developments, examining the economic impact of proposed government sponsorship for energy investments and helping develop government policies to encourage private sector participation.

A privately-owned petrochemical company in the GCC was conducting and overall strategic review of its various business units. As part of this process, the client asked for our help in examining whether to enter manufacturing of advanced fibres and/or composites.

A privately-owned petrochemical company in the GCC was conducting and overall strategic review of its various business units. As part of this process, the client asked for our help in examining whether to enter manufacturing of advanced fibres and/or composites.

The brief:

Overall strategic review of a GCC petrochemical company’s various business units

Industry review

Conduct a detailed review of the entire fibre and composite industries

Matching capabilities

Identify if such new businesses would match the client’s capabilities

Impact analysis

Analyse its impact on its operational & financial success over the next decade

In the initial phase of the project, the composite material markets and their associated manufacturing processes were considered on a global basis. This included all intermediate and product categories in the composite industry.

Six fibres and resins were shortlisted for further consideration.