Steven Otillar, Partner, White & Case
For nearly three decades, Steven Otillar has been a trusted advisor to clients seeking to develop, finance and execute acquisitions and divestitures of US and emerging markets oil & gas projects, both onshore and offshore. He has an outstanding track record of handling high-profile and complex projects and transactions worldwide under Texas and English law. In the United States, his work includes asset-based acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures for private equity-backed and publicly traded E&P companies and oil field services companies. Internationally, he has focused on asset-based projects, representing IOCs and NOCs with upstream, midstream and downstream projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, including LNG-to-power, cross-border unitization, host government concessions and PSCs, petrochemical and refining matters. Additionally, his hydrocarbon experience has led him to be heavily involved in energy transition work, helping traditional E&P companies expand into low carbon ventures, including carbon sequestration, waste-to-power and advanced biofuels.
Steven, a frequent lecturer and author on energy-related topics, is the former President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (formerly AIPN) and currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Institute for Energy Law in the Center for American and International Law.
Karolyn Gillespie, Associate General Counsel, Verdun Oil Company
Karolyn King Gillespie has over 35 years of work experience in various legal roles. Karolyn King is currently employed at Verdun Oil Company as an Associate General Counsel since April 2022. Previously, they worked at EP Energy for 10 years as an Associate General Counsel from August 2012 to March 2022. Prior to that, they were a Senior Counsel at Locke Lord LLP from August 2007 to August 2012. Karolyn King also served as Of Counsel at Beck Redden LLP from June 2004 to August 2007, and as an In-House Counsel at ExxonMobil from June 2000 to June 2004. Before transitioning to private legal practice, they worked as an Associate at Hinkle Shanor LLP from August 1994 to December 1999. Additionally, they have military experience, having served as a Platoon Leader in the United States Army from July 1988 to August 1990 and as a Petroleum Officer at MFO - Multinational Force & Observers from July 1987 to July 1988. Karolyn King began their professional career as a Commissioned Officer after completing Officer Candidate School in July 1986.
Karolyn King Gillespie has an extensive education history. Karolyn King began their academic journey at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1982, where they were part of the Cadet Class of 1986. After completing their time there in 1983, they pursued further studies at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor from 1983 to 1985. During this period, they achieved a cum laude Bachelor of Arts degree, although their field of study is unspecified.
In 1989, Karolyn enrolled at The University of Texas at El Paso, where they focused on acquiring knowledge in Acquisitions/Contracts Management and International Administration and Transboundary Analysis. Karolyn King successfully completed their Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in 1991.
To further enhance their educational qualifications, Karolyn pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of San Francisco from 1991 to 1994. Karolyn King excelled in their legal studies and graduated cum laude.
Through their diverse educational experiences, Karolyn King Gillespie has acquired a strong foundation in various fields, including law, public administration, and management.
Ruaraidh Montgomery, Director, Global Head of Research, Welligence Energy Analytics
Ruaraidh joined Welligence Energy Analytics in 2018, where he oversees all global upstream research. Prior to Welligence, he spent 13 years at Wood Mackenzie, covering Latin America’s upstream and corporate sectors, as well as the US Gulf of Mexico. He also worked for Hess in its UK North Sea business unit, gaining experience in well and facilities engineering.
Ruaraidh holds a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.