Capital Structure and Execution in Energy and Subsurface Transactions
Panelists:
Date: Wednesday 18 March
Time: 11:30 am – 1 pm
Location: 2000 W Sam Houston Pkwy S #200, Houston, TX 77042 (Apache)
Instructions: Park in visitor parking at One Briar Lake Plaza Garage. Register with the building receptionist on the first floor and then proceed to the elevator to the Apache lobby on the second floor.
Cost: $30 Members, $35 Non-members, $25 Students
Join us for a practical, real-world discussion designed for geologists and subsurface professionals who want to understand what happens after the geology is done. This session explores how capital providers evaluate projects once the technical case is established and why some geologically strong opportunities secure funding while others never reach financial close. Learn what investors actually look for, how risk, return, and structure shape decisions, and how to position technically sound projects for commercial success.
This luncheon is held in conjunction with the FENG Energy & Natural Resources Special Interest Group.
Arete Mfon Amana
CEO & Founder, Africa Business Advisors
Arete Mfon Amana is the CEO and Founder of Africa Business Advisors, an international strategy and business advisory firm specializing in designing bespoke solutions, initiatives, and go-to-market strategies that strengthen and expand trade, investment, and economic development between Africa’s emerging economies and businesses in the Americas.
Some of her notable initiatives include AfricaEnergyFutures, the Africa Energy Innovation Fund, Africa Energy Education Programs, and EnergyXAfrica. Through these, she promotes energy innovation, education, and sustainable business development across the continent. Arete has consulted for several national and international organizations, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Foundation, various European projects, and regional industry bodies such as the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) and the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA).
A multi-creative professional, Arete continues to champion initiatives that drive Africa’s economic transformation through innovation, strategic partnerships, and sustainable development.
Allen Bertagne
Principal at BRT Energy Advisors
Allen Bertagne, is a hands-on explorationist with more than 40 years experience, gained while working in numerous basins around the world. After receiving a B.Sc. Degree in Geology from Imperial College, London, and an M.A. in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin, he worked for Exxon. Allen has worked for service companies including CGG, PGS, CoreLab, and Fusion Geophysical, and also for Shell, where he held leadership roles. Since January 2015, Allen has been conducting high-end seismic interpretation projects for a range of companies and has also been developing plans for new E&P and other startup ventures.
Allen has served on The Leading Edge Editorial Board, as First Vice President of the SEG, and was named as an Honorary Member of the Geophysical Society of Houston in recognition for his contributions to the profession and the industry. From 2017-2021, he created and led the new SEG EVOLVE, a Program which developed “Fearless Explorers of the Future” and resulted in over 400 graduates. Most recently, he served on the 2021-2024 SEG Board of Directors and chaired SEG’s Global Council which serves as “The Members’ Voice” of the Society.
Zac Coplon
President and Co-founder at 4cast
Zac Coplon is President and Co-founder of 4cast, an all-in-one oil and gas economic/financial evaluation software. He started 4cast in 2020 after identifying the need for a product that allows O&G professionals to evaluate deals more efficiently and effectively in one streamlined application. His intro to oil and gas began in 2017 when he co-founded a mineral and non-op company in Oklahoma City. Prior to officially entering the business, he was first introduced to O&G analysis as a financial/credit analyst at Bank7 in 2013. Zac holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA in Finance from Oklahoma City University, where he also played college baseball. In his limited free time, he enjoys spending time in Montana's great outdoors. He lives in Bozeman, MT, with his two kids and their new lab puppy, Maddie, who is the goodest girl ever!
Diana K. Grauer, Ph.D.
Principal, Grauer Consulting
Diana K. Grauer, Ph.D. is a technical and management consultant for the oil & gas and energy technology industries. She currently supports her clients, and acts as an Advisor to multiple startups through her firm, Grauer Consulting. Diana served formerly as Director of R&D of NOV and Chief Technology Officer of Ocean Aero, a startup in the Blue Economy and offshore technology space. She has also held various technical leadership roles at TechnipFMC, Hoerbiger, SLB, Cameron, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Diana serves on the Subsea Systems Institute at University of Houston, the Center for Marine Robotics at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Business Plan Competition at the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. She is also past-Chair of the Industrial Advisory Committee for the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Kansas State University. Diana holds a Master’s in Venture Capital from University of California at Berkeley, and both a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University where she graduated with honors.
Amy R. Henry, CPA, JD
Co-Founder of Eunike Ventures and Trident Energy Group
Amy R. Henry, CPA, JD is the Co-Founder of Eunike Ventures and Trident Energy Group, and a nationally recognized leader in energy innovation, venture commercialization, and next-generation infrastructure development. Based in Houston, Amy brings more than 25+ years of international experience across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia spanning upstream, integrated gas, LNG, and large-scale project development.
Her career includes senior commercial, finance, and strategy roles with PETRONAS, Royal Dutch Shell (Shell Gas & Power, Shell Upstream International, Shell E&P Technology & Research, and Shell Technology Ventures), Ernst & Young, and Arthur Andersen.
As CEO of Trident Energy Group, Amy applies her commercial, financial, and strategic expertise to develop energy infrastructure and power solutions, building on her background in integrated gas and LNG, power, unconventional resource development, and complex project portfolios. Her prior roles in senior commercial, finance, and strategy positions give her a broad perspective across the full upstream-to-market value chain.
Susan Nash
Director of Emerging Science, Innovation, and Technology at AAPG
Susan Smith Nash is a geologist, educator, and innovation strategist who earned her BS, MA, and PhD at the University of Oklahoma and has spent her career bridging petroleum geology, humanities, economic development, and educational technology. She launched as a petroleum geologist working across the U.S. and internationally — including Azerbaijan, Paraguay, and countries throughout South America, Central Asia, and Africa — before expanding into academic leadership and her current role as Director of Innovation, Emerging Science and Technology at AAPG. With 30 years of experience in online program development, grant and contract management, and instructional design, she has led numerous webinar and podcast series and launched the "New Technology Showcase" to connect new ventures with private capital. A widely published author and regular contributor to World Literature Today, Nash writes at the intersection of geology, literature, culture, and contemporary global challenges, bringing a rare interdisciplinary sensibility to her commitment to human and economic development, innovation, energy resilience, and community well-being.
James C. Row, CFA
Managing Partner at Entoro Capital, LLC
James C. Row, CFA (“Jim”) has over 35 years of experience in various areas of finance and deal structuring, including: project finance, private placements, M&A, A&D, securities, and risk management. He has originated and arranged funding, debt (senior and mezzanine) and equity on over $15 billion of projects/offerings. Jim is specialized in structuring financing for energy, water, health care, real estate, and technology projects worldwide. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and maintains Series 7, 14, 24, 28, 63, 79 and 99 FINRA securities licenses. Jim is a member of 10+ financial and industry associations and is an Advisor to several private companies. He is an author on a number of energy, blockchain, and digital securities articles and a regular speaker at valuation and digital asset conferences. Jim received his BS in Finance at the University of Wyoming, and an MBA from Arizona State University. Additionally, he completed his CAS at the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).
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