Forum Oil & Gas 2016 - Booklet

THE OIL & GAS FORUM:
LEBANON O&G POSITION
IN THE ACTUAL GEOPOLITICAL DEVELOPMENT SCENE
THURSDAY MAY 26, 2016
ESA, VILLA ROSE, CLEMENCEAU
What are the main lessons that Lebanon could draw on while taking
into account the recent geopolitical and economic developments
locally, regionally and internationally?

About Lebanon's National Wealth Initiative
Recent discoveries of Oil & Gas in the
Eastern Mediterranean region have the
potential to transform the economies
of three neighboring countries, namely
Lebanon, Israel and Cyprus. Our Country
is in the early stages of building an Oil &
Gas sector and is still far from drilling the
first exploration wells.
Although many reliable studies proved
that trillions of cubic feet of gas amount
to the wealth which our seawater hides
underneath, Lebanon has so far been
officially unable to estimate how much
Oil & Gas this country might have.
With no border agreement so far with
Israel, and with the political deadlock
situation that is prevailing in our country
and is preventing the government from
launching its first offshore Oil & Gas
licensing round, our rights as a future
oil-producing country are not respected
or are ill-managed.
Lebanese citizens have to protect their
rights to benefit from the prospective
WELCOME NOTE
Dear Friends,
On behalf of Front Page communication,
I am delighted to welcome you to the 3rd
edition of the Oil & Gas Forum.
Three years ago, through various
initiatives, the Lebanese general public
was exposed to the realities, intricacies
and conflicts facing the Oil and Gas
wealth that God bestowed on us. So we
established a public information platform
to address all these concerns and
provide a vision that will lay the ground
for realistic and pragmatic solutions.
In 2014, and with an initiative of
Mr. Makhzoumi’s Forum For National
Dialogue (FFND), we joined efforts
and launched the first Oil & Gas Forum
entitled “Lebanon’s National Wealth
Forum". It was the beginning of a much
bigger venture. What started as a basic
platform of information outlining the
overall situation, grew to become a
milestone, which highlights the need to
relentlessly seek avenues and solutions
that will benefit the industry.
By doing so, the initiative also
contributes to the development of the
nation’s economy, through the creation
of countless job opportunities, as well
as investments potential.
A year later, we deployed a successful
series of debates in several universities
around the country, like ESIB and the
Lebanese University. The main topic
revolved around enlightening the
Lebanese audience, especially university
students about the importance and need
to explore the possibilities and encourage
them to enroll in Oil and Gas courses. As
the generations of the future, they are
the future of the nation. They need to be
aware of their role, and stay abreast and
prepared for the challenges ahead.
I take the opportunity to thank all the
universities who initiated this course,
and we are proud to confirm that many
students graduated in the field with
Masters Degrees. Human resources
in that particular field constitute a
primary asset of the future of Lebanon.
economic growth associated with
the production of their national Oil &
Gas resources.
For this, The Lebanese Government
created the Lebanon Petroleum
Authority, and toward the same endeavor
“Front Page Communication” and
“Forum For National Dialogue” started
the “Lebanon’s National Wealth” initiative
to provide the media, the academic
youth, the civil society, the economic and
financial sectors with dialogue platforms
around this wealth, while involving local
and international experts and key players
in the field.
Lebanon’s National Wealth organized in
2014 the first Forum on Oil & Gas, and
that successful event was followed by
a series of conferences in key Lebanese
universities. This third forum is scheduled
for May 26 at ESA, Villa Rose.
We invite you to follow the organization
of our future events on our web site and
social media pages (www.lebanonnationalwealth.org).
That same year, on June 8 precisely, we
moved into a more advanced position with
the second edition of the Oil&Gas Forum
entitled “Governance and Integration”.
This year, still with the FFND partnership,
and the commitment of high profile
partners, we pursued the effort of reaching
out to universities and successfully
organized two more debates at Sagesse
andHaigazianuniversities.Weareengaged
to carry on and focus on more universities.
Today, we are launching the 3rd edition
of the Forum, at the same prestigious
location of ESA. Debating Lebanon’s Oil
and Gas position under the prevailing
geopoliticaldevelopmentscene,thisyear’s
Forum provides an in-depth overview at
the challenging fast-paced and volatile
situation of the region, and the collapse of
the oil and gas prices since June 2014.
This year’s forum is fully broadcast live
exclusively on LBCI. Another innovation
this year also, is the Live Streaming of the
event worldwide over the Internet and a
mobile app by Hipernation. We also have
among us the International media, and
we thank Al-Monitor, the Forum’s online
partner, Bloomberg, France 24, Sky News,
in addition to the local and regional media
and everyone who is helping to make this
Forum an international event.
We are proud and honored to have
among us esteemed personalities from
the USA, Russia, Montenegro, France,
Italy, Malaysia and Lebanon, as well as
Total, Engie, Eni, Dauphine University, as
well as from the banking industry. It is
also with great honor that we welcome
their Excellencies, the ambassadors
present here today, and our distinguished
speakers. Your support gives a substantial
boost to this important matter.
Last but not least, I want to express my
appreciation for all our partners, wherever
they are, and the charismatic audience
we have here today. Thank you to each
and everyone who has helped and is
currently helping turn the Forum into an
International event.

LEBANON O&G POSITION IN THE ACTUAL GEOPOLITICAL
DEVELOPMENT SCENE
AT E.S.A. (VILLA ROSE) – BEIRUT / LEBANON, May 26, 2016
Theme: What are the main lessons that Lebanon could draw on while taking into
account the recent geopolitical and economic developments locally, regionally
and internationally?
08:15 – 08:55
GET-TOGETHER & REGISTRATION
NATIONAL ANTHEM
09:00 - 09:05
ESA HOST WELCOME
Mr. Stéphane Attali
09:05 – 09:15
OIL & GAS FORUM INTRODUCTION
Mr. Mustapha Assad
09:15 – 09:25
OVERVIEWS
Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi
09:25 – 09:35
SETTING THE SCENE: OPENING NOTES
H.E. Mr. Arthur Nazarian
09:40 – 10:15
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
“International Geopolitical Scene”
Mr. Amos Hochstein
Q/A
10:15 – 11:15 SESSION 1
“REGIONAL UPDATE ON THE OIL
AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN THE
EAST MED & EUROPE”
Speakers: H.E. Mr. Lapo Pistelli,
Mr. Elias Kassis,
Mr. Wissam Zahabi
Moderator: Dr. Marwan Iskandar
11:15 – 11:45 COFFEE BREAK
11:45 – 12:45 SESSION 2
“REGIONAL UPDATE ON THE OIL
AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN THE
EAST MED & EUROPE”
Speakers: H.E. Mr. Vladan Dubljevic,
Mr. Denis Simonneau,
H. E. Mr. Gissa Guchetl
Moderator: Dr. Nasser Hoteit
Q/A
Lebanon:
• Update on the Lebanese upstream
petroleum Sector.
• Understanding good governance and
contractual frameworks in Lebanon’s
nascent oil and gas sector.
• What are the transparency measures
adoptedinLebanon’spetroleumsector?
• Lebanon advantages in attracting IOCs.
• Do low oil prices deter IOCs from
investing in Lebanon? And if so, what
could incentivize IOCs to still be
interested in Lebanon’s offshore?
East Med:
• UpdateandlatestdevelopmentsinCyprus.
• Global overview on the recent oil and
gas developments in the East Med.
• New discoveries and future plans.
• Overview on the regulatory frameworks
adopted by East Med countries.
Europe:
• Overview on Montenegro’s recent
offshore developments (legal and
financial frameworks, exploration and
production bid round status…).
• What does the E.U. energy strategy
emphasize on and how can Lebanon
leverage on such opportunities?
• LessonsfromtheEuro-Medgasplatform.
12:45 – 13:30 SESSION 3
“FINANCING O&G PROJECTS IN THE
CURRENT ENVIRONMENT”
Speakers: H.E. Dr. Georges Corm,
Mr. Francois Kayat
Moderator: Dr. Toufic Gaspard
Q/A
13:30 – 14:30 LUNCH
MEETING SESSION 1 & 2 SESSIONS
FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
14:30 – 15:25 SESSION 4
“EFFECTS OF LOW OIL AND GAS
PRICES ON PETROLEUM INVESTMENT
ACTIVITIES”
Speakers: Mr. Jean-Baptiste Dubreuil,
Dr. Carole Nakhle,
Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi,
Prof. Patrice Geoffron
Moderator: Mr. Jean Paul Sabbagh
Q/A
• What are the main economic drivers
behind the oil price slump? (Market
over supplied, Iran new entry on the
market, shale oil and gas…) What could
be the potential impacts of lifting Iran’s
sanctions on global oil and gas prices?
- (geopolitical and financial impacts on
theregion,andonLebanoninparticular,
with an emphasis on potential impacts
on the gas markets).
• Howdidlowoilandgaspricesaffectthe
oil and gas industry so far (exploration
activities, production, human capital…)?
• How low oil and gas prices affect IOCs
on one hand and service companies
on the other?
THE OIL & GAS FORUM:
15:25 – 16:20 SESSION 5
“GOOD GOVERNANCE IN EMERGING
PRODUCERS: CHALLENGES AND
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS”
Speakers: Dr. Valerie Marcel,
Mr. Imad Makhzoumi,
Dr. Nathalie Najjar
Moderator: Mr. Rayan Kouatly
Q/A
• The Dispute Resolution Clause: Key
factor for the Efficiency of Oil & Gas
Contracts.
• Attracting the most qualified investor in
the long run.
• Maximize the economic returns to the
state through licensing.
• Earn and retain public trust and manage
public expectations.
• Increaselocalcontentandbenefitstothe
broader economy.
• Build capable national organizations
to participate in and oversee the
development of the resources.
• Increase accountability.
16:20 – 16:50 COFFEE BREAK
MEETING SESSION 3 & 4 SESSIONS
FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
17:15 – 17:55 SESSION 6
“RECOMMENDATIONS TO MOVE
FORWARD WITH THE SECTOR IN
LEBANON”
• What is the opportunity cost that
Lebanon is baring or could bare
following a political deadlock or a
stagnation in its prospective oil and
gas sector?
• Given the above geopolitical and
economiccontextswhatarethelessons
thatLebanoncoulddrawontooptimize
its position in being an attractive terrain
for oil and gas investments?
• How could Lebanon mitigate geopolitical
and economic risks in order to proceed
successfully with its sector?
17:55 – 18:00
Closing: Mr. Camille Menassa

trust-based engagement and does so by
building and sustaining awareness,
credibility, trust, goodwill and loyalty.
The media landscape is changing
dramatically. People share information
online, and newsrooms and the general
public have now the resources to dig deep
and cover stories. This new information
revolution opens up amazing digital
opportunities to take full advantage of.
Front Page Communication is also
staffedwithanexperiencedmainstream
and digital teams that can help people
and brands take advantage of these
new avenues of content creation and
Image Building.
ABOUT FRONT PAGE
COMMUNICATION
Front Page Communication is an
independent strategic communication
agency that plans and delivers
communication, public relations, and
digital PR strategies, by establishing an
integrated brand experience through a
holistic synergy.
Front Page Communication was
established by co-founders Camille
Menassa and Mustapha Assad, both
pioneers and leaders respectively in
the Journalism, Media, Advertising
and Public Relations.
Front Page Communication is in the
relationships business. It devise strategies
that create
7
• FRONT PAGE COMMUNICATION
• FORUM FOR NATIONAL DIALOGUE
ORGANIZERS:

9
FORUM FOR
NATIONAL DIALOGUE
Forum for National Dialogue / A
MakhzoumiInitiativewasestablishedinlate
2013 as a nonpolitical, non-profit society
under official advice No. 2219 dated 4th
December 2013.
FFND AIMS AT:
Firstly: Encouraging dialogue among the
Lebanese citizens.
Secondly: Contributing to the preparation
ofstrategicstudiesandresearchpapers,and
communicating with the decision-makers
for discussions there-about, in addition
to setting up and conducting training
programs,workshops,roundtables,forums
and conferences, holding lectures, activities
and promoting dialogue in economy,
social, cultural, science and education.
Thirdly: Contributing to the hosting of
lecturers and analysts and other pundits
concerned with political and strategic
issues,betheylocal,regional,orinternational,
in addition to holding and sponsoring local,
regional and international conferences.
Fourthly:Cooperatingwiththecivilsociety
organizations and civil institutions which
share FFND’s objectives in full or in part.
The key projects which FFND
started to implement since 2014 are:
• “Oil & Gas: Lebanon’s National Wealth
Forum” May 2014
• “Oil & Gas” Conferences ESIB and
Lebanese University 2015
• “Oil & Gas: Lebanon’s National Wealth
Forum” June 2015
• The Dialogue of Alphabets which is an
initiative unique in nature innovated by
FFND for the purpose of reinforcing the
dialogue among various cultures of the
world, with Beirut as its base and its
timeframe of execution falling prior to
the year’s end.
• “The Positive Economy” initiatives
• etc.

11
FUTURE PIPE INDUSTRIES
Founded in 1984 in Dubai UAE, Future
Pipe Industries (FPI) has rapidly grown
to become a global leader in anti-
corrosive fiberglass pipe system design
and manufacturing.
With the largest product portfolio of
large diameter, high pressure, high-
temperature, fiberglass pipe systems,
FPI is the only company in the world that
provides bespoke solutions across the
three product segments; Water, O&G
and Industrial.
Managing a unique global delivery model,
driven by engineering excellence, and
committed to customer needs, FPI’s
Vision is to deliver water and energy to
the world in the most efficient way.
With the world large diameter pipe
demand projected to exceed USD
150 billion, FPI has already a focused
dominantglobalfootprintwithapresence
throughout the Middle East, Africa,
Europe, North America and Asia. The
company employs an extensive global
network, operating 13 factories in UAE,
Oman, Qatar, Egypt, KSA, Lebanon, USA,
The Netherlands, Spain and India and 20
offices in 16 countries including Lebanon,
UK, France, Singapore and Pakistan,
mobilizing over 3,500 members of staff
around the world including.
FPI facilities are state of the art. With
advanced manufacturing, testing and
process control systems spread over
700,000 square meters FPI operates 49
product lines and with more than 60,000
kilometers installed worldwide, FPI serves
more than 300 international major O&G
operators, municipal authorities and
industrial facilities. FPI has produced
enough pipes to circle the globe more
than 4 times.
As the leading global integrated solution
provider in the large diameter anti-
corrosive fiberglass pipe market, FPI
has gained stellar reputation in offering
quality and reliable bespoke fiberglass
pipe solutions, through design and
engineering, manufacturing and in-house
testing to installation and onsite training
and supervision.
All FPI products are manufactured in
accordance with stringent customer
specifications and the most demanding
international standards, using the latest
technology, FPI offers the largest and
most versatile large diameter fiberglass
pipe product range in the market today.
With diameters ranging from 12mm up to
4,000 mm, with an ability to withstand
immense pressures of up to 3,000 PSI,
FPI’s fiberglass composite non-corrosive
pipe systems can transport water, oil, gas
and petrochemicals including H2S.
FPI’s promise of excellence has led to an
impressive list of accreditations and
certifications by major independent
international bodies in the fields of safety,
quality and environmental protection. FPI
was the first manufacturing company in
the Middle East to be awarded the
service quality certification Kitemark
accreditation which is most frequently
used to identify products where safety
is paramount.

13
• MR. FRANÇOIS KAYAT,
Associé-Gérant – LAZARD
• DR. TOUFIC GASPARD,
Economic consultant to multilateral
organizations, governments, and the
private sector
• MR. JEAN-BAPTISTE DUBREUIL,
Chief Analyst, Strategy, Energy
Economics and Risk advisory (SEER),
Center of Expertise in Economic and
Modelling Studies (CEEME), Strategy
Division, Engie
• DR. CAROLE NAKHLE,
Director of Crystol Energy
• MR. FOUAD MAKHZOUMI,
President of Forum of National Dialogue
• PROF. PATRICE GEOFFRON,
Professor of Economics - Université
Paris Dauphine, Director Center of
Energy Economics (CGEMP)
• MR. JEAN PAUL SABBAGH,
Lecturer at Sciences-Po, Paris
• DR. VALERIE MARCEL,
Associate Fellow at the London-based
think tank Chatham House and a
consultant to KPMG's Global NOC Team
• MR. IMAD MAKHZOUMI,
Executive Vice President,
Member of the Board, Future Pipe
Group
• DR. NATHALIE NAJJAR,
Docteur en droit, Avocat à la Cour,
Chargée de cours à la Faculté de
droit de l'Université Saint Joseph,
et à l'Université Paris II, Panthéon-
Assas, Présidente de la Commission
d'arbitrage, Chambre de commerce
internationale - Liban
• MR. RYAN KOUATLY,
Managing Partner, Kouatly & Associates
Attorneys
• MR. CAMILLE MENASSA,
Chairman Front Page Communication
• MR. STÉPHANE ATTALI,
Director General of ESA
• MR. MUSTAPHA ASSAD,
CEO Front Page Communication
• MR. FOUAD MAKHZOUMI,
President of Forum of National Dialogue
• H.E. MR. ARTHUR NAZARIAN,
Minister of Energy & Water
• MR. AMOS HOCHSTEIN,
Special Envoy & Coordinator for
International Energy Affairs at U.S.
Department of State
• H.E. MR LAPO PISTELLI,
Senior Vice President for International
Business for Middle East and Africa, ENI
• MR. ELIAS KASSIS,
Vice President North Africa, Exploration
& Production MENA, TOTAL, France
• MR. WISSAM ZAHABI,
Chairman of the Board of Directors -
Lebanese Petroleum Administration
• DR. MARWAN ISKANDAR,
Vice Chairman of Pharaon and Chiha
Bank SAL
• H.E. MR. VLADAN DUBLJEVIC,
Deputy Minister for Mining and
Geological Research, Ministry of
Economy, Montenegro
• MR. DENIS SIMONNEAU,
Member of the Executive Committee in
charge of European and International
Relations - Engie
• H.E. MR. GISSA GUCHETL,
Executive Director, Russian Union of
Gas and Oil Industrialists
• DR. NASSER HOTEIT,
Lebanese Petroleum Administration
• H.E. DR. GEORGES CORM,
Lebanese Economist - Former Minister
of Finance
SPEAKERS:

14 15
MR. STÉPHANE ATTALI
Stéphane Attali graduated from Paris
Dauphine University and Institut d’Etudes
Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). After
starting his professional career in the
private sector in a consulting firm in Paris,
he joined the International Department of
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
of Paris (CCIP) in 1999. From 2002 to
2007, He was posted to Beirut at the
Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA),
Business school created by Lebanese
and French governments and managed
by the CCIP. He has been in charge of the
development of academical programs
as for as programs for ESA Executive
Education. Then he joined ESCP Europe,
Graduate School of Management of the
CCIP as Deputy Managing Director in
charge of general affairs.
In January 2009, Stéphane Attali was
appointed Dean-Director General of
the Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA)
in Beirut.
Stéphane Attali is also the chairman of the
MEREF (Movement of French Enterprises
and Economic representations in
Lebanon) established in 2008 at the
initiative of French and Lebanese
companies directors, with the support
of the Economic Mission of the French
Embassy in Lebanon. The MEREF
currently has over one hundred members
and regularly hosts various meetings and
events in Lebanon.
MR. MUSTAPHA ASSAD
Mustapha Assad managed the Pharaon
the pioneering advertising agency in
the Arab World (1968-69), headed
advertising department of Al Usbu Al
Arabi and Magazine for four years. In 1973
he became the majority partner in the
PUBLI-GRAPHICS agency. Agency grew
to 27 operation throughout the region
Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Doha,
Dubai, Istanbul Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh
and Tehran as well as the specialized
communication divisions, Headline PR
(Public Relations and Sponsorships),
Optimedia Media Agencies, Dialog
(Below the Line), Eworks (Electronic
and Digital) and PG events Division.
In 1999, Publicis Group the 4th largest
communication group in the world,
entered into an equity partnership
with Publi-Graphics Group, the agency
was known as PUBLICIS GRAPHICS.
Mustapha Assad has been an active
and dedicated player in the IAA, Board
Director since 1984, President of the
Lebanon Chapter from 1984-86, Senior
Vice-President/World President Elect
from 1990-1992 and World President of
the International Advertising Association
(IAA) in September 1992 at the 33rd
World Advertising Congress in Barcelona.
He ended his term at the World Congress
in Cancun May 94, at which time he was
appointed Chairman of the newly formed
“Former World Presidents Council”. He
was awarded the IAA Medal of Merit
in 1986, as well as many other awards.
In June 2012, stepped down from Publicis
Graphics Group. In 2014, Mustapha
Assad became the Chief Executive
Officer of the PR Agency “Front Page
Communication”. Mustapha Assad is
Officer in the “National Order of the
Lion” (Senegal) and Officer in the
“National Order of the Cedar” (Lebanon).

16 17
H.E. MR. ARTHUR
NAZARIAN
Arthur Nazarian, the actual Minister
of Energy and Water is born in 1951
in Beyrouth. He graduated from an
American University to become a textile
engineer in 1973. He then worked in
trade and industry and he owns several
companies in the Gulf.
In 1998 he was appointed Minister
of Tourism and Environment in the
government of Prime Minister Selim
Hoss until 2000 (first government of
President Lahoud).
Mr. Nazarian was elected deputy in 2009
as a candidate of the Tashnag party in
Beirut for one of the Armenian Orthodox
seats. He is a member of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union.
MR. FOUAD MAKHZOUMI
Fouad Makhzoumi is a chemical engineer,
industrialist, businessman, editorialist,
philanthropist and politician. He is the
Chairman of “Future Group Holdings”
(Luxembourg) and “Future Pipe Group”
(Dubai). He is also the Chairman of the
“National Dialogue Party” and the “Forum
for National Dialogue” (Lebanon) and the
Founder and Honorary Chairman of the
“Makhzoumi Foundation” (Lebanon).
Mr. Makhzoumi is also a member of the
boards of a number of international
institutes and strategy centers, such as
the International Board of the Council
on Foreign Relations “U.S./Middle East
Project”; the “Arab Reform Initiative”
(ARI); and the “de Gasperi Foundation”.
He has set up the “Rami Makhzoumi
Chair in Corporate Governance” at the
American University of Beirut; yearly
awards for “Leadership and Excellence”
at the International College in Beirut
and the “Makhzoumi Lebanese Studies
Endowment” at the University of Alberta,
Canada. Mr. Makhzoumi is a Commander
of the Italian Republic Order of Merit
and the awardee of a multitude of
international trophies and awards. He is a
global lecturer in politics and economics.

1918
NOTES
MR. AMOS J HOCHSTEIN
Amos J Hochstein currently serves as
the Special Envoy and Coordinator for
International Energy Affairs leading
the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR)
at the U.S. Department of State. He
oversees U.S. foreign policy engagement
in the critical intersection of energy and
national security. In this role, he advises
the Secretary on global energy security
and diplomacy, as well as promotes U.S.
interests to ensure energy resources are
used to increase economic opportunity,
stability and prosperity around the world.
Special Envoy Hochstein also advises the
Secretary on U.S. strategy to advance
global integration of renewable and clean
energy sources. Prior to this role, Mr.
Hochstein served as Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Energy Diplomacy and
in that capacity oversaw the Office of
Middle East & Asia and the Office of
Europe, the Western Hemisphere &
Africa where he lead the bureau’s energy
diplomacy efforts. Prior to joining the
State Department, Mr. Hochstein spent
more than 15 years advising U.S. elected
officials, candidates for public office and
thought leaders on domestic and global
energy policy initiatives.
He began his career in Washington,
D.C. on Capitol Hill where he served in a
varietyofseniorlevelpositions,ultimately
serving as the Senior Policy Advisor to
the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S.
House of Representatives. Mr. Hochstein
first served as the principal Democratic
staff person on the Economic Policy,
Trade & Environment Subcommittee
where he oversaw work authorizing
Ex-Im Bank, OPIC and USTDA, as
well as drafting legislation on export
controls and trade-related multilateral
organizations and regimes. Mr. Hochstein
served as Policy Director to Senator
Chris Dodd (D-CT). Prior to his work with
Sen. Dodd, he worked as a Senior Policy
Advisor to Senator (then Governor)
Mark Warner (D-VA). Harnessing his
experience in the policy, campaign and
public sector, Mr. Hochstein moved to
the private sector as Executive Vice
President of International Operations
at Cassidy & Associates. Throughout
his career, he has been a counselor for
both domestic and international oil and
gas companies, as well as companies
focusing on renewable energy. In this
capacity, he assisted corporations in
assessing potential new markets and the
development of alternative sources of
power and best strategies to bring them
to market.

24 25
REGIONALUPDATE
ONTHEOILANDGAS
DEVELOPMENTINTHE
EASTMED&EUROPE
Lebanon
petroleum Sector.
adopted in Lebanon’s petroleum
sector?
East Med
• Update and latest developments in
Cyprus.
• Overviewontheregulatoryframeworks
Europe
production bid round status…) .
• Lessons from the Euro-Med gas platform.
Session 01
H.E. MR. LAPO PISTELLI
Lapo Pistelli, 51 years, Senior Vice
President at Eni for Strategic Analysis
and Business Development, former
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation and Member
of Parliament (1996-2015).
He has visited many different countries in
different capacities (monitoring elections,
giving lectures, networking with leaders
of progressive parties). He cooperates
with various progressive think tanks in
Europe and in the US.
Pistelli earned a Master in Political Science
in Florence and he is there visiting
professor at the Bing Overseas Studies of
Stanford University.
He publishes regularly on issues related
to European and international affairs.

26 27
MR. ELIAS KASSIS
Elias Kassis was appointed Vice
President, North Africa in the Middle
East North Africa (MENA) division
of Total Exploration & Production in
September 2015.
Before that, he served as Managing
Director of the Total E&P affiliates
in Yemen, Malaysia and Iraq. Prior
to that, he was Vice President in the
Total E&P Middle East division, and
Vice President, Venezuela in Total
E&P Americas Division, as well as
assignments in Venezuela and Qatar.
Between 1991, date when he joined
Total, and 2002 he has held various
positions in the Trading and Gas &
Power divisions.
Mr Kassis holds an engineering Master
Degree from the Institut National
Polytechnique de Grenoble and a
Master Degree in Finance from ESSEC
Business School.
MR. WISSAM ZAHABI
Prior to his appointment at the LPA
Wissam was working as an Energy
Advisor at the office of the Prime
Minister in Beirut since 2003 as part of
the UNPD team.
Wissam was actively involved in the
energy sector; he was part of team
that drafted the petroleum policy,
the offshore petroleum law and the
petroleum activities regulations.
Wissam has been involved with all
aspects of energy chain (Hydrocarbon
Strategy, gas infrastructure, LNG
project, feasibility study of the refinery,
gas sales agreements).
Wissam has a master degree in
engineering from the AUB and an MBA
in Finance from HEC Montreal and
has publications on Energy resource
allocation using multi-objective goal
programming.
In December 2015, he became the
President of the Lebanese Petroleum
Administration.

28 29
DR. MARWAN ISKANDAR
Marwan Iskandar is a Lebanese
economist who studied at Oxford
University and the American University
of Beirut.
Since well over thirty years, he has been
chief economic commentator at An-
Nahar, Lebanon’s leading newspaper.
Between 1968 and 1974 he edited a
weekly financial and economic review
for An-Nahar.
He has advised the ruler of one Arab
country and the ministries of finance and
information of three other Arab countries.
Intermittently, he has advised three
Lebanese prime ministers, and politico-
economic major events in the Middle East.
From 1981 till 2005 he edited and
published 25 yearly reviews of the
Lebanese economy committees (1984
and 1992) that prepared macro-
economic programs for adjusting and
improving the performance of the
Lebanese economy.
His latest book which appeared in
2015 in Arabic had the title “Qatar’s
Oscillating Policies”. The English edition
will be published in June 2016.
NOTES

34 35
REGIONALUPDATE
ONTHEOILANDGAS
DEVELOPMENTINTHE
EASTMED&EUROPE
Lebanon
petroleum Sector.
adopted in Lebanon’s petroleum
sector?
East Med
• Update and latest developments in
Cyprus.
• Overviewontheregulatoryframeworks
Europe
production bid round status…) .
• Lessons from the Euro-Med gas platform.
Session 02
H.E. MR. VLADAN
DUBLJEVIĆ
Mr. Dubljevic currently holds a
position as the Head of Hydrocarbon
Administration of Montenegro, where
he was appointed in 2016. For seven
years he was a Deputy Minister of
economy. He has a long and extensive
experience in the oil and gas field. Mr.
Dubljević was directly in charge of
establishing a new upstream sector
in Montenegro (including the legal
framework and models of contracts,
organization of Data Room and the
First Bid round for the exploration
and production of Hydrocarbons in
Offshore Montenegro, evaluation of the
bids and finally awarding the contracts
for the exploration and production of
Hydrocarbon in Offshore Montenegro).
Back in the days, he started as geologist
(geophysicist) at the Geological
Survey of Montenegro where he was
a leader of various geotechnical and
hydrogeological projects, many of them
related to remote sensing and analysis
of satellite surveys and GIS. He has a
professional experience as an advisor
of the Government of Montenegro for
matters of oil and gas exploration and
construction of the regional gas pipeline.
He has 20 years of work experience and
he holds a Master degree of technical
sciences in the area of regional
hydrogeology and geochemistry from
the University of Belgrade, Republic
of Serbia, and a Professional Master
in GIS and remote sensing from the
Instituto Agronomico per L’Oltremare,
Florence, Italy.

36 37
MR. DENIS SIMONNEAU
A graduate of the Institut d’Etudes
Politiques (IEP) and the Ecole Nationale
d’Administration (ENA) in Paris, Denis
Simonneau holds a Masters degree in
Economics.
As a member of the French Diplomatic
Service, he served in India (1988- 1989)
and South Africa (1993-1996), was
Adviser to the Minister of European
Affairs, Michel Barnier (1996-1997),
Counsellor at the French Permanent
Representation to the European Union
in Brussels from 1997 to 2001, and was
appointed Consul General and Head of
the French Trade Economic Mission,
specialized in energy, in Houston, Texas
(USA) from 2001 to 2005.
Deputy spokesperson for the
Department of Foreign Affairs of the
French Government from 2005 to
2007, and head of communications
during the launch of UNITAID, the
agency set up to purchase medical
supplies for developing countries, he
wasthenChiefofStaffoftheMinisterfor
European Affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet,
from July 2007 to December 2008, the
period of the French presidency of the
Council of the European Union. During
that time, he also worked as Deputy
chief of staff for Bernard Kouchner,
French Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In May 2009, Denis Simonneau took
up a position within the energy
company, GDF SUEZ. He was
appointed Diplomatic Adviser to the
Group’s Chairman and CEO, Gérard
Mestrallet. In March 2010, he was
nominated Senior Vice President
for International Relations. His
current position, held since May
2011, is Member of the Executive
Committee in charge of European
and International Relations for the
ENGIE Group (ex GDF SUEZ).
Denis Simonneau is also President
of EUROPANOVA, a French NGO
specialized in European issues. He
is a member of the Boards of the
French section of the International
Chamber of Commerce, PROPARCO,
MEDEF International, and Chairman
of “Les Amis de l’Université Française
d’Egypte”. He is married and has four
children. He was nominated as Chair
of the ICC Commission on Corporate
Responsibility and Anti-corruption
since November 2015.
H.E. MR. GISSA GUCHETL
Dr. Gissa Guchetl, PHD Historical
Sciences, Dr. of political science
Born in Russia, in 1957. Graduated from
the Moscow State University (economist)
and the law faculty of the Russian Institute
of State and law, Russian Academy of
Sciences with the assignment of the
speciality "international lawyer".
MonographsandtextbooksinEconomics,
political science and history for Moscow
State University on Syria and Tunisia,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Iraq;
more than 20 publications in Russian,
Arabic and English languages.
Was working for about 20 years at the
diplomatic service in the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Specialization:
• Relationship of the USSR (Russia)
with the Arab oil producing States
(OPEC, OAPEC, IEA, etc.) in the
energy sector etc., the activities of the
earlier mentioned organizations, and
transnational corporations (TNCs) on
global and regional energy markets
• The participation of Russian oil and
gas companies in the UN program for
Iraq "Oil in exchange for food". The
participation of exporters of OPEC,
Russia, USA, EU countries and TNCs in
the formation of the price situation on
the international oil and gas markets
•problemsofdelimitationofmineralrights
for oil and gas fields between Russia,
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan
and Iran, the international projects of
joint development of hydrocarbon
resources
2001-2003–CouncilintheAdministration
of the President of the Russian Federation
V. Putin
• Since 2003 till now – Deputy and then
GeneralDirectorofIOC"SoyuzNefteGaz",
• Since 2006 – Executive Director of
the Union of Oil&Gas Producers of
Russian Federation

3938
DR. NASSER HOTEIT
Nasser HOTEIT has been involved in
Energy Sector (Nuclear, Oil and Gas)
for 32 years.
He started as researcher and engineer
in Petroleum and Mining Sector with
major European Petroleum Company.
Afterward, he joined the nuclear
industry as Geoscientist and head of
Geosciences Directorate. His activities
revolved around R&D that contributed
in driving forward the knowledge of
Conventional and Unconventional
Hydrocarbon Resources.
In Parallel, Mr. HOTEIT was board
member of European Nuclear public
agency and senior expert at the
Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of
the Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD).
After Nuclear, He joined back the
petroleum industry to become Expert
and Technical Authority for Onshore
and Offshore Gas fields’ development in
Arctic regions.
On the other hands, Mr. HOTEIT
has initiated several patents and
has authored numerous scientific
publications. During his industrial
career, Mr. HOTEIT has also acted as
Professor at Paris, Stockholm and Saint
Petersburg Mining Schools and Paris
and Grenoble Polytechnic Schools.
He studied in different universities
Grenoble Polytechnic School, Alaska
University and HEC-Paris. He has
engineering degree, MPhil, PhD and MBA.
In 2014, Mr. HOTEIT was the President of
the Lebanese Petroleum Authority –LPA-.
NOTES

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44 45
FINANCINGO&G
PROJECTSIN
THECURRENT
ENVIRONMENT
• Market update
• Keys to project financing
• The Lebanese case
Session 03
H.E. MR. GEORGES KORM
Georges CORM studied in Paris and
graduated from The Institut d’Etudes
Politiques (with majors in Economy
and Public Finance) in 1961 and from
the Faculté de Droit et de Sciences
Economiques (Ph.d. in Constitutional
Law in 1969).
In December 1998 he was appointed,
Minister of Finance of the Lebanese
Republic (up to October 2000). During
his tenure, he designed and began to
implementafiveyearsFiscalStabilization
Plan (1999-2004), contributed to
the elaboration of the Privatization
law adopted in spring 2000, paid all
State arrears to the private sector and
prepared the introduction of VAT.
He has been Professor Lecturer from
1969 to 1985 at various Lebanese
Universities and is now Professor
at Saint-Joseph University. He is a
member of several academic boards in
the ME and Europe. He has published
extensively in Arabic, French and
English on economic topics and on
history of the Middle East. His books are
translated in several languages.

46 47
MR. FRANÇOIS KAYAT
Francois Kayat is a Managing Director
at Lazard Frères, a leading investment
bank and advisory house. Prior to
joining Lazard, Mr. Kayat was Head of
Investment Banking at Credit Agricole
CIB. Previously, Mr. Kayat chaired the
European Mergers and Acquisitions
Group of Credit Suisse First Boston.
Francois Kayat has 30 years of
investment banking experience and has
helped advise on transactions totaling
more than $300 billion. He has worked
for numerous companies in a wide range
of sectors including Allianz, Alstom,
Arcelor Mittal, Areva, Carrefour, CGG,
Cora Louis Delhaize, Credit Agricole,
Club Med, Enel, Eurocement, Euroneuws,
Gecina, Hal Holdings, Klepierre, Lafarge,
Lagardere, Leica Geosystems, Pathe,
Schneider, Simon Properties, Technip,
Telindus, Total, Ubisoft, Valeo, Vicat,
Wendel and others.
Francois Kayat was a founding member
of LIFE, Lebanese International Finance
Executives and served on its first board
He is a graduate of ESCP Europe
DR. TOUFIC GASPARD
Toufic Gaspard, D.Phil. in Economics,
University of Sussex, currently is an
independent Economic Consultant to
multilateral organizations, governments,
and the private sector.
He has worked as Senior Economic
Advisor to the Minister of Finance;
Advisor at the International Monetary
Fund in Washington, D.C.; Banker in New
York, Brussels and Beirut; and Lecturer
in Economics at the American University
of Beirut and at Université St Joseph.
He published in 2004 A Political
Economy of Lebanon 1948-2002: The
Limits of Laissez-faire, Brill Academic
Publishers, Boston and Leiden. The book
was also published in Arabic, in 2005 at
Dar An-Nahar, Beirut.
He is currently working on a book on the
political and economic failure of Arab
societies since independence.
Some of Dr. Gaspard’s consultancy/
publications work:
• Lebanese-Syrian Economic Relations:
Status and Prospects, for UNDP, 2010
• Lebanon: Macroeconomic Situation
and Perspectives, for the EC, 2008
• Lebanese Government Budgets: A
Social and Economic Perspective,
2004, for the Lebanese Transparency
Association and the US’s National
Democratic Institute.
• Competition in the Lebanese
Economy, 2003, a report for a draft
Competition Law for Lebanon, for the
Ministry of Economy and Trade and
the EC (report available at http://
www.economy.gov.lb).

ESA is a Business School dedicated to the education of
executives and managers in Lebanon and the Middle
East and managed by the Paris Île-de-France Regional
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR). ESA Business
School is the first in Lebanon to obtain the AMBA
Accreditation, the highest international distinction.
Its mission is to form the elite of Lebanon and the region
into the leaders of tomorrow. ESA has become a beacon of
academic excellence within Lebanon, and a platform for
interaction and meetings between Europe, the Middle East
and Lebanon.
Paying keen attention to businesses and their needs, ESA
assists them in developing their visions, and helps them
better achieve their objectives by training and coaching
their executives and managers.
Situated in the center of Beirut, and at the heart of the
Middle East, ESA asserts its reach as an important
international school, combining the talents of high-level
faculty who rank among the world’s most preeminent
specialists.
THE STRENGTHS OF ESA
Custom-made programs and courses, to train executives
and managers, in accordance with the needs of the
international workplace.
A faculty composed exclusively of professors drawn from
the best business schools in Europe, particularly from ESCP
Europe, HEC Paris, and other european universities such as
Rotterdam School of Management (RSM).
Two international certifications, to validate each academic
path: the ESA Degree and the Degree from its prestigious
partner school or university.
Flexible schedules, allowing for both training and
professional lives to be combined.
An influential international network, accessible by joining
the ESA Alumni Association, which is linked to and a key
associate of ESCP Alumni Association.
An advantageous place for business encounters, ESA
organizes regular seminars and panel conferences with
international speakers.
LEAD
THE WAY
THE LEADING BUSINESS
SCHOOL IN LEBANON
AND THE MIDDLE EAST
289 rue Clemenceau, Beirut, Lebanon, P.O. Box 113-7318, T + 961 1 373 373, F + 961 1 373 374
www.esa.edu.lb
main red
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52 53
EFFECTSOFLOW
OILANDGASPRICES
ONPETROLEUM
INVESTMENT
ACTIVITIES
• What are the main economic drivers
behind the oil price slump? (market
over supplied, Iran new entry on the
market, shale oil and gas…).
What could be the potential impacts
of lifting Iran’s sanctions on global oil
and gas prices? - (geopolitical and
financial impacts on the region, and
on Lebanon in particular, with an
emphasis on potential impacts on the
gas markets).
• How did low oil and gas prices
affect the oil and gas industry so far
(exploration activities, production,
human capital…)?
• How low oil and gas prices affect IOCs
on one hand and service companies
on the other?
Session 04
MR. JEAN-BAPTISTE
DUBREUIL
Jean-Baptiste Dubreuil currently acts
as Chief Analyst for Oil & Gas Markets
within the economic advisory team of
Engie, a global energy player operating
in close to 70 countries on 5 continents.
He also gives lectures on energy markets
at Paris Institute of Political Sciences.
Jean-Baptiste has fifteen years of
experience in the energy industry
and held several economic analysis
and advisory positions, in energy
companies and services. He graduated
in Economics and Finance from Paris
Institute of Political Sciences, and post
graduated in Energy Economics from
IFP School.

54 55
DR. CAROLE NAKHLE
DrNakhleisaninternationallyrecognised
expert in the field of Energy Economics.
Her two decades of experience
cover energy policy and investment,
international petroleum contractual
arrangements and fiscal regimes, world
oil and gas market developments and
governance of the extractive industry.
She has worked with a range of oil and
gas companies (Eni and Statoil), policy
makers (House of Lords), international
organisations (IMF, World Bank,
Commonwealth Secretariat), academic
institutions (University of Surrey,
Graduate School of International and
Development Studies in Geneva), and
think tanks (Lebanese Centre for Policy
Studies, Carnegie Middle East Centre).
As Energy Expert, she is a regular
contributor to Geopolitical Information
Service and is Program Advisor to the
Washington based International Tax
and Investment Centre. She is also a
member of the Advisory Council of the
Natural Resource Governance Institute.
Passionate about diversity in the energy
sector, Dr Nakhle founded the not-for-
profit organisation ‘Access for Women
in Energy’ in 2007, with the aim of
enhancing opportunities and enriching
dialogue within the industry.
She is also the author of two books:
Petroleum Taxation: Sharing the Wealth
(2008, re-printed 2012); and Out of the
Energy Labyrinth (2007), co-authored
with Lord Howell. She has also written
numerous articles for academic journals,
newspapers and magazines, and is a
regular commentator on energy and
geopolitics in the international media.
An avid traveller, Dr Nakhle has worked
on projects involving more than 40
countries – including expeditions to the
Arctic and North Sea – and is fluent in
Arabic, English and French.
For a list of Dr Nakhle’s publications
please visit School of Economics,
University of Surrey.
MR. FOUAD MAKHZOUMI
Fouad Makhzoumi is a chemical engineer,
industrialist, businessman, editorialist,
philanthropist and politician. He is the
Chairman of “Future Group Holdings”
(Luxembourg) and “Future Pipe Group”
(Dubai). He is also the Chairman of the
“National Dialogue Party” and the “Forum
for National Dialogue” (Lebanon) and the
Founder and Honorary Chairman of the
“Makhzoumi Foundation” (Lebanon).
Mr. Makhzoumi is also a member of the
boards of a number of international
institutes and strategy centers, such as
the International Board of the Council
on Foreign Relations “U.S./Middle East
Project”; the “Arab Reform Initiative”
(ARI); and the “de Gasperi Foundation”.
He has set up the “Rami Makhzoumi
Chair in Corporate Governance” at the
American University of Beirut; yearly
awards for “Leadership and Excellence”
at the International College in Beirut
and the “Makhzoumi Lebanese Studies
Endowment” at the University of Alberta,
Canada. Mr. Makhzoumi is a Commander
of the Italian Republic Order of Merit
and the awardee of a multitude of
international trophies and awards. He is a
global lecturer in politics and economics.

56 57
MR. JEAN-PAUL SABBAGH
Jean-Paul Sabbagh has a University
Education pursued in several French
universities among which "faculty of
Science-Po" and the French Institute of
Petroleum. He is at present a professor
at “Sciences Po”. He teaches several
subjects related to oil and gas: "Big
Stakes in the energy", "Oil Markets" and
"Financing of the energy”. He founded
the Energy Chaire in “Sciences-Po,
Public Administration School”. He is also
a speaker to the “French Association
of Gas". Having showed his ability
to "Fortis Bank" to "French Banking
Federation" and to the European
Commission, he worked successively at
“Natexis Banques Populaires” (2005-
2007), Oddo Securities (2007-2009),
on "Kyte Group-Market Securities/Oil
Petroleum products" in Geneva and in
Paris (2009-present).
At “Natexis” he has worked in the sectors
of “Trade Finance” and “Relationship
Manager” in the “Commodities Division”.
At “Oddo Securities” he was an “Equity
Research Analyst”. He covered major
European stocks (mainly Total, BP,
Shell, Air Liquide, Linde and BASF).
He was a financial analyst and he was
in charge of understanding market
fundamentals, trends and structures,
cost calculation, production of full suite
of exposure reports, Financial modelling
of the relationship between supply and
demand and price.
At Kyte Group-Market Securities, he
has worked in Geneva and in Paris. At
present, he is Project Director for key
client projects in Oil and Gas, he is an
investmentstrategistandhedevelopsthe
trading and marketing department with
international actors in Europe. Sabbagh
is leading commercial and functional
team to support business acquisition. He
also manages and develops work with
third parties and sub-contractors. He
is leading a commercial and functional
team to support business acquisition.
PROF. PATRICE
GEOFFRON
PhD in industrial organization, Patrice
Geoffron is Professor of Economics at
Paris-Dauphine University.
Formerly international Vice-President
of Paris-Dauphine, he now heads the
CGEMP (Research Center in Energy
Economics and Geopolitics) and
the advisory board of the Climate
Economics Chair. He joined in 2014 the
scientific council of the CHNC (Centre
Hydrocarbures Non Conventionnel,
Center for Unconventional fossil fuels).
Recently published: Climate Economics
in Progress 2013, Climate Economics
Chair, 2013. The New Energy Crisis,
Palgrave McMillan, 2013.

AMBASSADE DE FRANCE
AU LIBAN
Avec le soutien de
www.meref.org
Conjuguons nos compétences
pour mieux entreprendre

62 63
GOODGOVERNANCEIN
EMERGINGPRODUCERS:
CHALLENGES
ANDPOLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS
• The Dispute Resolution Clause: Key
factor for the Efficiency of Oil & Gas
Contracts.
• Attracting the most qualified investor
in the long run.
• Maximize the economic returns to the
state through licensing.
• Earn and retain public trust and
manage public expectations.
• Increase local content and benefits to
the broader economy.
• Build capable national organizations
to participate in and oversee the
development of the resources.
Increase accountability.
Session 05
DR. VALÉRIE MARCEL
Dr Valérie Marcel is an associate fellow
at Chatham House, and leads the New
Petroleum Producers Discussion Group.
Sheisanexpertonnationaloilcompanies
and petroleum-sector governance, and
has carried out extensive fieldwork in
order to gain an understanding of the
perspectives of producer countries. She
is the author (with John V. Mitchell)
of Oil Titans: National Oil Companies
in the Middle East (Chatham House/
Brookings, 2006). Her current research
focuses on governance issues in
emerging producers in sub-Saharan
Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and
the Caribbean.
She is a member of KPMG’s advisory
team for energy-sector governance.
She also provides thought leadership
for the Global Agenda Council on the
Future of Oil and Gas at the World
Economic Forum.
Dr Marcel previously led energy
research at Chatham House, and taught
international relations at the Institut
d’études politiques (Sciences Po), Paris,
and at Cairo University.

64 65
DR. NATHALIE NAJJAR
Nathalie Najjar has a PhD in Law summa
cum laude from the University of Paris II
– Panthéon Assas (France). She lectures
now at the University Paris II – Panthéon,
Assas. She is also a lecturer in charge of
“Domestic and international arbitration”
courseinthePhDstudies(DEA)ofprivate
law and in the LLM of business law at the
Faculty of Law of Saint-Joseph University
of Beirut (Lebanon).
She is lawyer at the Beirut Bar and senior
partner at Ibrahim NAJJAR law firm.
She is an international arbitrator and
represents the Lebanese State before
the ICSID. She is appointed by Several
Institutions such as the International
Chamber of Commerce (France), the
Cairo Regional Center for International
Commercial Arbitration (Egypt), the
(DIAC) Dubaï, by other institutions and by
parties in Ad hoc Arbitrations (domestic
and international).
She handled as arbitrator, lawyer or
counsel many domestic and international
cases and arbitrations involving local and
international companies and States in
many fields of domestic and international
trade disputes.
She is the chairman of the Arbitration
Commission of the International Chamber
of Commerce – Lebanon.
She is also General Secretary of
the "Lebanese Review of Arab and
International Arbitration" and author of
Arbitration in the Arab countries faced
with international trade requirements,
foreworded by Emmanuel Gaillard,
(LGDJ, France, 2004) that was crowned
by many awards and prizes in France and
in Lebanon. She is also the author of many
articles and contributions published in
renowned books and reviews.
She is member of several international
arbitration commissions at the
International Chamber of Commerce
(France)andattheBeirutBarAssociation.
She acted as expert in arbitration
before many international institutions
such as ICC, ACOJURIS, IDLO or others
and participated and organized many
conferences and coaching sessions in
Europe and Arab countries.
MR. IMAD MAKHZOUMI
Born in 1964, Imad Makhzoumi has a
Bachelors of Science in civil engineering
from the University of Southern
California, Los Angles and a Post
Graduate Diploma in Management from
Mc Gill University in Montreal Canada.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, lived in Lebanon,
the UK, USA and Canada and currently
based in Dubai. Started his career in
the pipe business early and during his
education in the USA and in Canada
by working through various disciplines,
departments and ranks until he joined
Future Pipe Industries in Dubai in 1989.
His experiences in various aspects of
the pipe business from engineering site
services to operations provided him
with an in depth knowledge of the pipe
market and covered multiple disciplines.
He was appointed as Vice president in
1994, and led the Group’s sales team of
Future Pipe Industries from the GCC,
one of the largest fiberglass growths
market in the world.
He also managed to expand the business
into new segments and territories, in Asia
and the GCC particularly in the Oil and
Gas, Industrial and Municipal sectors.
He has supported the growth of the
company not only through sales but
through development of various ventures
to produce pipe across the world.
He played an integral role in the
development of the engineering Group
Dynaflow International which was part
of the Holding company as the Executive
Vice President responsible for its
development and integration within the
pipe division offering a complete solution
to both Oil & Gas and Industrial sector.
He served as the COO of FPI during
2009-2011 during which the Group was
going through two major initiatives the
Revolution@ and the Evolution@ which
lead to the expansion of the group and
its preparation for the contemplated
IPO on both the DIFX and the LSE. He
participated and supported the CEO in
the preparation of the IPO process and
was an active team member during the
road show.
He is currently serving as the Executive
VicePresidentforAsiaandheisamember
of the Board of Directors for Future Pipe
Group assisting the CEO and Chairman
in developing new Joint ventures in Asia
and across the world.

66 67
MR. RAYAN KOUATLY
Rayan is the managing partner of
Kouatly & Associates in Beirut and
focuses his practice in Lebanon on
arbitration matters, Energy law, mergers
and acquisitions.
He has advised the Lebanese
Parliamentarian Committee for Energy on
the drafting of oil and gas laws, the impact
of the new laws on the existing regulatory
framework and maritime delimitation.
His team comprises specialized energy
lawyers in Lebanon's. He's the Vice
President of the Beirut Bar Association
Committee on Oil and Gas.
The expertise of Kouatly & Associates
- Attorneys covers Oil and Gas Law,
Corporate Law, Arbitration, Banking
Law, Maritime and Aviation Law, Real
Estate and Construction Law, Intellectual
Property and Franchising.
He was a member of the Task Force that
undertook the revision of the ICC rules of
Arbitration. He’s been a Lecturer at ESA
(École Supérieure des Affaires- Beirut) on
International Commercial Arbitration and
a speaker at several regional symposia on
different Legal issues especially on the Oil
and Gas sector in Lebanon. He is often
appointed as a member or chair of many
arbitration panels in international and
regional arbitrations.
He is or served as a Board Member of
different regional organizations
Rayan has an LLB and a DEA (Diplome
D'Études Approfondies) in Public
and Private International Law from
Nice Sophia-Antipolis University with
emphasis on international contracts and
international commercial arbitration.
NOTES

70 71
RECOMMENDATIONS
TOMOVEFORWARD
WITHTHESECTORIN
LEBANON
• What is the opportunity cost that
Lebanon is baring or could bare
following a political deadlock or a
stagnation in its prospective oil and
gas sector?
• Given the above geopolitical and
economic contexts what are the
lessons that Lebanon could draw
on to optimize its position in being
an attractive terrain for oil and gas
investments?
• How could Lebanon mitigate
geopolitical and economic risks in order
to proceed successfully with its sector?
Session 06
MR. CAMILLE MENASSA
With over 50 years of experience in the
world of media, Camille Gabriel Menassa
had a distinguished career with leading
press, Radio and TV organizations. He is
currently the Chairman of “Front Page
Communication S.A.L.”, an Integrated
Marketing & Communication Agency
and International Vice President for the
Near East of “L'Union Internationale des
JournalistesetdelaPresseFrancophone"
(U.P.F).
He started his career as a journalist in
1957 at L'Orient newspaper, before
moving to ORTF (“Office de la Radio et
de la Télévision Française”) as a Middle
East correspondent.
From 1960 to 1971, Menassa was Editor-
in-Chief of the Lebanese Television,
the first TV station in the region and
President of the “Centre du Cinema et
de la Télévision” (1961-1967) which is
affiliated to the Ministry of Information.
From 1967 to 1971, he became Head
of Programs Unit at Radio-Liban and
the Middle East correspondent of
Radio Monte Carlo – Europe – (1967-
1976) and the ABC American TV
Network (1970-1972). In 1971, he was
appointed administrative manager
of “Media Press”, the advertising unit
of “An Nahar” and “L’Orient-Le Jour”
newspapers. Subsequently, he became
the administrative director of “L'Orient-
Le Jour” and founder & chairman of “Les
Editions L’Orient-Le Jour” publishing
company. He was also President of
the Lebanese section of “L'Union
Internationale des Journalistes de la
Presse Francophone”, “President of the
Lebanese Businessmen Association”
(RDCL), and President of the “Beirut
Rotary Club”. From TV stations to
newspapers publishing, Menassa
played a vital role in the media world.
He was founder and Editor-in-chief for
six years at Murr TV (MTV), News and
Political Programs from 1995 to 2001.
Menassa is a member of the “Lebanese
Press Order Board” and member of the
“Islamic-Christian Dialogue” Committee.
He is a lecturer in Communication and
Journalism, MBA Level at the Faculty of
Human Sciences, Saint Joseph University
and a lecturer in the Lebanese University
- Faculty of Journalism.
Menassa holds a Bachelor of Law from
Saint Joseph University, Beirut.

7574
NOTES
THANK YOU NOTE
Lebanon’s National Wealth and Front
Page Communication would like to
thank you for your attendance and
participation today at our 3rd Oil & Gas
Forum. Your presence, along with your
active, contribution, feedback and ideas
made this year’s event a success.
We extend our special thanks and
appreciation to:
Our speakers: H.E. Arthur Nazarian,
H.E. Dr. Georges Corm, H.E. Lapo
Pistelli, H.E. Gissa Guchetl, H.E. Mr.
Vladan Dubljevic, Special Envoy
Amos Hochstein, Fouad Makhzoumi,
Stéphane Attali, Denis Simonneau,
Elias Kassis, Wissam Zahabi, Dr.
Nasser Hoteit, Jean-Baptiste Dubreuil,
Dr. Carole Nakhle, Professor Patrice
Geoffron, Jean Paul Sabbagh, Dr.
Valérie Marcel, Imad Makhzoumi, Dr.
Nathalie Najjar, Rayan Kouatly, Dr.
Marwan Iskandar, Dr. Toufic Gaspard,
François Kayat, who have contributed
at providing precious insights on
the Oil & Gas current situation in
Lebanon and the region, as well as
the geopolitical implications. Their
interventions, debates and reports, will
help develop further the industry in a
more productive manner.
We would also like to thank more
specifically our Partners: Forum for
National Dialogue/A Makhzoumi
Initiative, ESA “Ecole Supérieure
des Affaires”, MEREF “Mouvement
des Entreprises et Représentations
Economiques Françaises au Liban”,
Total, Engie, BBAC, Fawaz Holding,
Pikasso, Al Monitor, Hipernation,
Lebanon Gas and Oil, MESP “Middle
East Strategic Perspectives”, Lebanon
Debate and Voix du Liban.
A special thanks is due to LBCI for
its invaluable help in broadcasting
the entire event live during this
whole day, and all local, regional and
international media organizations for
their contribution and support.
We appreciate your positive evaluations
on the (www.lebanonnationalwealth.
org)astothequalityofthepresentations,
speakers and overall organization of the
event. We will certainly take all your
ideas on board and endeavor to surpass
your expectations next time in our series
of forums on the subject.
We invite you to follow the organization
of our future events on our web site and
on our social media.
Camille Menassa
Chairman Front Page Communication

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