H.E. Eric Williams, former Minister of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago, has confirmed his participation at Africa's premier energy event, African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, which will take place on the 9-12th of November in Cape Town, South Africa. He has extensive experience in Trinidad and Tobago and several African energy markets and has committed to coming to Cape Town to promote strategies for oil and gas project development and management, financing for initiatives in the full value chain, and natural gas monetization. Additionally, with a focus on advising policymakers on regulatory frameworks and local content initiatives, Williams will emphasize the role of oil and gas in national and regional development throughout the African continent.
H.E. Williams has over 38-years of experience in the petroleum and minerals exploration industries. Having started his career as a geoscientist at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries in Trinidad and Tobago, Williams then worked at the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago where he was involved in prospect generation, regional velocity, geophysical studies, and technical support. He then worked as Processing Center Manager for the then Western Geophysical Division of Baker Hughes, Trinidad Office. H.E. Williams was appointed Minister in 2001 and served until 2006. As minister of the then-largest oil and gas producing country in the Caribbean – with proven reserves estimated at 728 million barrels of oil and 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas – Williams was instrumental in driving oil and gas exploration and production and ensuring that the local community benefited from resource extraction. While minister, he was active in the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
In addition to his ministerial and public sector roles, H.E. Williams has experience in the private sector. When he ventured into the international energy sector, Williams focused on Africa and was a significant contributor within key energy markets. Specifically, Williams served as COO of Afren Energy Resources Limited in Nigeria and was President for Africa of Prospectiuni S.A based in Senegal. He has provided advisory services to several governments including Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and South Sudan. Williams heads Royal Triangle Energy Solutions (St. Lucia) Limited as President and Principal Consultant. He is currently on assignment as Senior LNG Consultant to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy in Mozambique. With significant experience across Africa and internationally, Williams will offer unique insights into resource development and monetization, engaging with stakeholders at AEW 2021 on the role of hydrocarbons and promoting LNG as a key driver in Africa's economic growth.
“H.E. Williams will lead strong and collaborative discussions at AEW 2021 on multiple topics. Having worked directly in public and private sectors, he offers alternative insights, innovative solutions, and key strategies to resource exploitation and monetization in Africa. At AEW 2021, Williams will enhance the discussion on oil and gas, as well as engage with stakeholders on topics including local content, regulatory affairs, LNG development and management, and public-private sector cooperation,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC).
Having served in governmental positions and private sector executive roles, Williams has a broad understanding of the entire energy sector value chain in regional and international markets making him a unique and valuable participant at AEW 2021. He understands that market-driven strategies should work in correlation with the socio-economic development agenda of host countries and will offer new insights into critical topics.
AEW 2021, in partnership with South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), is the AEC's annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2021 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
For more information about Africa's premier energy event, please visit www.AEW2021.com or www.EnergyChamber.org and/or reach out directly to Amina Williams at amina.williams@energychamber.org
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