IAN GLEN THOMSON
Little Stantons, 4 Meadway
Berkhamsted, England HP4 2PL
Tel./ fax: +44 1442 871885
UK Mobile phone: +44 777 589 2166
E-mail: iant@mailbox.co.uk
Key Qualifications:
Dr Ian Thomson specialises in strategic, commercial, market and transmission aspects of energy, oil
and gas and has a detailed understanding of regulatory and institutional arrangements.
Since becoming a consultant in 1992, Ian has advised a number of European, US, Asian and
Australian oil and gas companies, gas and LNG buyers, utilities and banks on commercial and
contractual aspects of oil and gas projects. He has been involved in many projects and high level
plans related to LNG, oil and gas storage and transmission, and sales. Has advised 20 governments
(Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Viet Nam, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, China,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Ecuador, India, Thailand, South Africa, Kenya, Romania, Serbia, Mozambique,
UNMIK in Kosovo and Rwanda) on gas, downstream oil and LPG, industry structure, development
policy, concession terms, energy export options, contractual matters and financial claims; and
worked for many developers worldwide.
An engineer by training, Ian Thomson worked for BP for 17 years, latterly in positions of increasing
responsibility managing a number of large oil and gas transportation, storage and supply projects
from concept through to operation.
1993 – 2009 Selected projects as a consultant include:
General Gas and Oil Consultancy, including Expert Witness Services, Market Analysis,
Gas Contracts and Transportation
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Advice to Rwanda government on downstream petroleum sector (2008/9 ongoing)
Advice to DPE (government) in South Africa on major multi-products pipeline project (2008).
Serbia (2004 /6): Key Gas Expert on EU project Creation and Operation of the Serbian Energy
Agency (with KEMA) Europe Aid 114376/D/SV/YU. Key Expert on gas market liberalisation
for Romanian Government - EuropAid. Review of gas sources, interoperability, scheduling and
balancing of selected European gas markets as possible models for Romania, demand and
capacity planning and network codes. Blueprint for structure of Romanian gas industry.
Appointed Senior Manager, Deloitte Petroleum Services May 2005 (part time - ongoing): Advice
to Reliance Industries in India on gas pipeline hydrocarbon accounting systems. Support to
Cairn India on gas development options. Strategy for securing LNG for Hong Kong and
Macau, European gas liberalisation (Norwegian client), LNG arbitrage potential US versus UK
(UK client), LNG options into Rotterdam, gas storage screening study, Ukrainian gas, advice
to various European gas buyers, privatisation information memoranda and other confidential
assignments. Work on RWE/ Excelerate merger. UK Gas pricing – work with Energy Institute.
Polish gas and LNG. Central European gas storage project advice and also in Bulgaria.
Assistance to Belgian Regulator on structure and functioning of gas market in Belgium,
including LNG imports (2007)
Russia – gas and oil supply security for EU/ Russia policy dialogue: specific areas include an
assessment of critical areas on Russian gas and oil pipelines and upstream gas reserves, and a
review of harmonisation issues between Russian and European gas markets. (Europaid project)
World Bank 2007/8: LNG supply to SE Europe.
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Support to strategic gas storage operator in Hungary including pricing and market structure
(2008)
Training on LNG and gas for Qatar Petroleum (since 2003 – 2009 ongoing). Developing and
running a training course for Deloitte on LNG, gas contracts and markets (ongoing).
Work on LNG export options for a project developer in Myanmar (2006) and gas pipeline
exports to India.
Expert witness for UK Transco in a High Court case involving forecasting and planning of
transmission capacity to accept the Britannia gas field, UK supply and demand forecasts,
summer and winter system capacities, gas pricing, new gas trading arrangements and interface
between onshore and offshore systems (Linklaters)
Expert for ICC on a major dispute concerning the pipeline system in Greece.
Senior Industry Advisor – Gas at PEL Market Services (KBC) since 2002: India, Thailand, US
and Europe (2004). India –Reliance Industries (2003). Reviews of LNG markets, costs and
pricing structures for EIA/ CIA (US), PTT (Thailand) and Gujurat Gas (India) (2004). UK
interconnector for a potential purchaser in Canada, value of gas flexibility in Europe (Norwegian
client). SASOL – Gas To Liquids and LNG. Presentations to PTT Board on LNG and Gas trends
in 2004 and 2005.
Due diligence reviews of Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline for prospective purchaser
(principally operational, regulatory and commercial aspects) then sale of Belfast Gas
Transmission (2004 and 2007)
Assistance to Korean National Oil Corporation in Vietnam (gas, gas transportation and PSC
agreements) – 2003 – with Genesis.
Turkmenistan - Leading the $1.3 million World Bank Energy Exports Prospects study for
Padeco in Turkmenistan (oil products, crude oil, gas and power exports): reserves/ supply,
markets, transportation options and constraints, refinery margins, development costs, economics,
institutional arrangements to introduce competition; regulatory principles, financing options
(1998-2000)
Assisted the Shetland Islands Council at Sullom Voe on a dispute with the operator, BP.
Advising the President’s office of Côte d’Ivoire on a major claim under the concession for a gas
field and associated power project (with Arthur Andersen and Stone & Webster).
Review for IFC of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline HSE, plus strategic assessment of need (2002)
Assistance to a group of German (Bavarian) gas companies setting up a trading function (2002)
Review of worldwide LNG shipping and regasification costs (JNOC 2000)
1995-2001: Assisting Texaco Global Gas and Power on trading, infrastructure and LNG
developments in Poland, Denmark, Czech and Slovak Republics, Kazakstan, Azerbaijan,
India, Viet Nam and (Oct 2000 – Feb 2001) Syria/ Levant gas and power markets. For three
years, deputy commercial lead on the UK Aurora gas infrastructure project (West of Shetlands)
including: commercial conceptual design for LNG, GTL and gas options, company structure
options, review of gas and oil tariff approaches on Norwegian, UK and European pipelines,
capacity rights and mechanisms for equity partners and third parties, outline transportation
terms, evaluation of regulatory risks for imposed TPA rather than negotiated access, rights to
capacity for future gas or oil, mechanisms for additional investment, gas and oil quality issues,
entry specifications, currency conversion, indexation options, send-or-pay, allowances for
downtime, risks and property issues, liability structure etc. Worked alongside Genesis. Other
work for Texaco included:
- commercial feasibility of several major oil and gas infrastructure and gas storage projects,
- gas and oil market evaluation and development of trading activities
- power (cogeneration and two Independent Power Projects),
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commercialisation of infrastructure/ tariffing, economic modelling, gas and gas
transportation contractual terms, and engineering strategy, costing and implementation.
- Gas to liquids technology, economics and use.
- IPP opportunities in Kazakstan, Middle East. Qatar to Pakistan pipeline (UOG).
- Advice on Spanish gas market and terms for LNG tender to Cartagena (1999).
- Operational aspects of the Henry Hub/ Bridgeline storage system in the US (Texaco 1996/7);
financing and environmental/safety risks of investing in DANGAS’s proposed new gas
storage site in Denmark (Texaco 1997)
Assisting Irish Energy Regulator CER on gas aspects of Best New Entrant gas fired power
projects to Ireland
Angolan Gas Masterplan (2002) including infrastructure, power, LNG, methanol and LPG
market evaluation (with IHS Energy). This followed earlier work for a Japanese client on LNG
costs with IHS.
Pipeline tariffing options and transportation contract options for SASOL, South Africa (2001/
late 2002) and advice on South African Gas Bill. Gas contract and technical/ commercial
assistance on NGL pipelines for Turkish developer - Middle East, including valuation and
environmental/ safety issues of LNG into Cyprus (2001 – for Government). Reviews of EU gas
and electricity policies and reports on specialised fuel markets. Gas investment in Portugal.
Review of UK gas prices – for several clients and also for the CER, the Irish electricity
regulator. Reviews of European gas price drivers and “spark spreads”. Development of
downstream gas markets. Review of European bitumen markets. Danish gas producer –
renegotiation of sales to power and UK comparators. Downstream gas marketing in Denmark.
LNG into Cyprus (for EAC, Cyprus) (2001). General Infrastructure: Assisted clients (both users
and owners) with the general commercial planning of oil and gas transportation systems and the
setting of tariffs/ take-or-pay, transit fee and regulatory aspects. E.g. of the IKL crude oil
pipeline (Europe), the new offshore gas pipeline system from the Lan Tay field in Vietnam, the
gas pipeline from Ping Hu in China, CATS (UK), general gas and oil transportation tariff policy
in Kazakstan, gas, NGL and oil concessions (Ecuador).
Worked for the European Investment Bank (EIB) (1995-7 and 2001-2) on:
- post project appraisal of all EIB’s non-EC energy projects in Poland, Lithuania and
Slovakia (2001/2)
- gas storage and infrastructure in Slovakia (Lab IV project)
- PSC/ risk sharing concession terms for a combined gas and power project (Prime Minister’s
office, Côte d’Ivoire)
- take-or-pay and financing risks on the IKL crude oil pipeline from Germany to the Czech
Republic (now in operation) and
- gas pricing and tariffing terms for the Ping Hu project to supply offshore gas to Shanghai,
China, for co-financing with the Asian Development Bank. Also market assessment and
evaluation of the need for LNG peak shaving storage.
India: participated in ADB’s Indian Gas Masterplan (1997) on gas sector reform and evaluating
some specialised areas (peak gas demand needs). Previously advised Command Petroleum (now
Cairn) on Raava gas sales.
Viet Nam - In the core team on the Vietnamese Gas Master Plan (1995/6 UK ODA funded),
providing independent advice to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Office of
Government and PetroVietnam on natural gas development, including regulation, optimum gas
industry structure, market development (particularly related to electricity), pricing, legal and
institutional reviews, financing issues, tariffing, tax and leading the module on environmental
policy. Responsible for the legal and institutional review and advice on the Production Sharing
Contract (PSC)/ fiscal regime. UNIDO: Vietnamese gas and LPG markets (1993/4).
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World Bank gas and LNG studies for India and China (LNG imports for power generation), S.
Africa and Mozambique (1995-1999) – all related to gas transmission projects.
EC TACIS programme: assistance to European Commission DG XVII on evaluation of the
tenders for Project EAZ 9803 (Azerbaijan - Gas Transport Management Systems) (1999)
Participated in the Russian unified gas pipeline project for Gazprom (for EBRD) (1994).
Strategic review of Flotta, one of the three major UK crude oil terminals, for Elf (1993/4)
Gas and Oil Sector Reform and Regulation
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Kenya – adviser to Government on white oils, LPG regulations and market development
(2002/3)
Kyrgyzstan - Co-ordinator of a World Bank/ UNDP project on the privatisation of the gas
industry and development of gas regulation in Kyrgyzstan, including design of industry structure
options, working with the Government on a Resolution for the restructuring and privatisation
programme (adopted in April 2000), assistance with the Technical Assistance programme
requirements, assessing priority investment items including metering, co-ordinating the
development of a financial model of Kyrgyzgas; working on gas transmission concession
options, outright sale options for gas distribution and development of a competitive gas market.
Also advice on gas regulation. Lead energy consultant July 2001 – mid 2002.
Kosovo – Project Manager on downstream oil regulation for Fuel Supervisory Board, UN MIK
(the interim government): August 2001 – February 2002.
South Africa – regulation of local distribution company in Johannesburg.
Kazakstan - Gas Regulatory adviser (World Bank) to the Kazak government and contributor to
the World Bank’s Gas Investment Strategy for Kazakstan (1997).
Thailand, Croatia - Advising the Thai and Croatian governments on changes to gas industry
structure to introduce an optimal degree of competition and how to set up a comprehensive gas
regulatory system.
Chief Technical Adviser (“CTA”) on the UNDP/ Chinese government LPG gas project in Tarim,
China, transferring natural gas liquids technology from Canada & related institutional
strengthening in Lanzhou. Also CTA on UNIDO LPG/ gas planning projects for the Ecuadorian
authorities.
Experience with BP (1976-1992):
1989 - 1992
Southern North Sea (SNS) Gas Transportation Co-ordinator and Senior
Gas Negotiator. Responsible for determining and implementing BP’s gas
transportation, storage and processing requirements. Led negotiations on
three major transportation and gas purchase projects and co-ordinated all
engineering (Anglia, Ann, Alison Fields). Developed and set tariffs on a
number of infrastructure projects. Joint Venture Agreements. Feasibility
studies for gas infrastructure projects in Portugal, Norway, Middle East and
Poland. Contract advice on several LNG projects (including Qatar).
Evaluation of gas storage projects including conversion of depleted SNS
Viking fields, additional storage for the new downstream BP Gas Marketing
company and investment in storage in Czech Republic. Co-chairman of 1992
Langhams Oil and Gas Transportation and Tariffing Workshop.
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1987 - 1989
Manager, Engineering Development, BP Engineering. Managing the $15
million technology development programme for BP Senior Management at
Research establishments around Europe and in the USA.
1985 - 1987
Development/ Commercial Superintendent BP Exploration, Aberdeen.
Managing all new third party transportation and processing activities on the
Forties Oil Pipeline System (now worth more than the Forties Field),
implementing new process facilities and introducing improved oil allocation
and value adjustment systems. Negotiated several unit agreements. Also
responsible for co-ordinating all engineering inputs to the business unit.
1976 - 1985
Held a series of technical management positions, including responsibility at
the British Pipeline Agency for all new engineering on 2,500 km of
strategic government oil product and condensate pipelines. Project Manager
for the classified “Boxer” military telecommunications project for the
Ministry of Defence. Also technology development, planning and costs risk
analysis, project engineering on the Magnus oilfield project and computer
based control systems world-wide. Scientific Secretary at 1983 World
Petroleum Congress.
Education:
1969 - 1972
1972 - 1975
1980
1989
1992/3
Languages:
French
Portuguese
Russian
First Class Honours With Distinction in Electrical Sciences,
Cambridge University. (M.A. degree)
Foundation Scholar, Pembroke College. Ronald Wynn Prizeman
Ph.D. in Optimal Control Theory, Cambridge University.
Chartered Engineer (M.I.E.E.)
Fellow of Institution of Electrical Engineers (F.I.E.E.)
Accredited Mediator, Centre for Dispute Resolution, London (CEDR).
Associate - British Academy of Experts (1992 –1999)
Speaking
Fairly good
Moderate
Poor
Reading
Good
Good
Moderate
Writing
Fairly good
Fairly good
Poor
Papers include:
“Cleaner and More Efficient Use of Low-Grade Coal”, Energy World No. 213, November 1993, pp 10-13,
published by the Institute of Energy (jointly with H.B. Locke). Written for UNIDO, Vienna.
“Monopolies and Mergers Commission Report into Supply and Transportation of Gas”, Petroleum Review
January 1994, pp. 42-44, published by the Institute of Petroleum. “The British Gas Industry in the Light of the
Government's Response to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission Enquiry”, Petroleum Review Feb. 1994,
for the Institute of Petroleum.
“Gas - The Basics”. European Gas Processors Association Meeting on 21st January, 1994.
“Regulation of Gas in the UK”. Paper given on 15th June, 1994, at the International Utilities Regulation Course
run by the Adam Smith Institute.
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“Commercial Developments in Underground Gas Storage” Paper given jointly with the Commercial Director of
Nafta (the Slovak oil and gas company) at the November 1994 Vienna conference on Transmission and
Distribution of Gas in Central Europe.
“Gas and Gas Transportation Contracts; Gas Pricing Principles”
Given to Office of Government, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Economy, PetroVietnam and
buyers in Hanoi, Viet Nam, November 1995.
“UK Network Code”. European Gas Processors Association, May 96. Prize for best paper in 1996. “UK Gas” Seminar at the Institute of Petroleum, 24th September 1996
Workshops on Utility Regulation in Zagreb, Croatia, for Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Monopoly
Commission, General Directors of electricity, gas, airports, telecommunications, railways and other utilities.
14th to 18th January 1997, with Adam Smith Institute.
Workshops in India (ADB), Turkmenistan and Kazakstan (for World Bank) and Denmark (private sponsor) on
industry structure, regulation and energy exports strategies (1997/9).
“UK Gas” - Seminar at the Institute of Petroleum, 9th March 1999
Co-Chairman and speaker at Conference in Budapest on Natural Gas Transmission and Storage, June 1999.
Workshop on “Gas Transmission Concessions, Gas Industry Structure Options and Lessons from Other
Countries”, for Kyrgyz Government, World Bank, UNDP. IMF etc Bishkek, November 1999.
“Overcoming the Challenges of Supplying Gas from Central Asia on a Competitive Basis”, Flame 2000 Gas
Conference, Amsterdam, March 2000.
Chairman and organiser of Adam Smith International Workshop on gas and oil regulation, February 2001.
Panel chairman of CEEPIF forum, Budapest March 2002.
Lead speaker on gas and LNG markets at PTT Executive Forum. Thailand April 2004 and 5.
Presentations and advice to EIA and CIA on gas pricing, Central Asian gas exports and LNG in 2004.
Presentations on harmonisation issues between Europe and Russia to Gazprom and Russian government 2006/7.
“What’s In Store” – Deloitte thoughtpiece and similar article in Petroleum Review (2007) on UK gas storage
Lead speaker on gas pricing at Institute of Energy Nov 2007.
Courses in Qatar and London on gas and LNG from 2004 -2009
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