Oil and Gas

Energy at Depth : Transforming Offshore Oil & Gas Strategies

Offshore oil and gas continue to be a cornerstone of global energy supply, with deepwater reserves in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S. Gulf shaping future production strategies. As the industry navigates fluctuating prices, rising ESG expectations, and capital-intensive deepwater exploration, operators are under increasing pressure to balance short-term profitability with long-term resilience.

Business Challenge

Our client, a leading global offshore oil & gas operator, sought to better understand the evolving landscape of offshore exploration and production. With key operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and Gulf of the U.S., the company faced challenges including:

The client required a comprehensive research study to capture insights directly from industry professionals across geographies, ensuring a robust global perspective while prioritizing its core offshore markets.

Approach & Research Methodology

Jasper Colin designed a multi-country research initiative targeting offshore oil and gas professionals across technical, operational, and leadership roles.

Sample Size (N): 100 respondents
Target Profile: Offshore oil & gas professionals with direct experience in deepwater/ultra-deepwater assets.
Geographic Prioritization: Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and U.S. Gulf prioritized, with additional global representation.
Method: 20-25 minute survey with a rigorous screener (to ensure relevancy and seniority).

The survey explored M&A strategies, funding models, organic growth practices, field development, sustainability, and company culture, delivering a 360° view of challenges and opportunities in the offshore sector.

Key Findings

M&A and Growth
- 62% of respondents indicated acquisitions remain central to offshore strategy in GoM and Brazil.
- ROI expectations are moderate, with >20% ROI achieved by only 15% of operators.
Operational Efficiency
- Top practices to extend asset life: predictive maintenance (72%), EOR (68%), and automation/AI (61%).
- Respondents flagged equipment reliability and workforce skill gaps as major risks for production losses.

3. Sustainability & ESG

54% rated sustainability as a high strategic priority.
Only 1 in 3 companies have a clear path to carbon neutrality by 2035.
Investors increasingly penalize companies with weak ESG reporting, especially in Brazil.

Recommendations

Invest in predictive maintenance & AI-driven monitoring to reduce downtime in GoM and Brazil fields.
Improve JV governance and communication frameworks for smoother operations in multi-partner projects.

Long-Term Recommendations

Develop a sustainability roadmap with measurable targets for carbon reduction and ESG compliance.
Build in-house M&A excellence teams to better evaluate asset acquisitions/divestments.
Strengthen workforce capability development in deepwater operations, especially in Brazil’s pre-salt reserves.

Impact

Within six months, the client was able to:

Way Forward: Jasper Colin’s Role

Jasper Colin provided the client with not just data, but actionable intelligence. By combining domain expertise with global offshore insights, we enabled the company to:

De-risk future capital investments in deepwater assets.
Build competitive resilience through ESG-focused strategies.
Align global operations while prioritizing the high-value Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and U.S. Gulf regions.

This study positioned the client to navigate the future of offshore energy with confidence, balancing profitability with sustainability.