Ex-Tullow CEO sees fresh African opportunities
Paul McDade sees big opportunities among stranded assets in West Africa for his new company
Former Tullow Oil CEO Paul McDade recently led a buyout of management and significant shareholders at UK upstream independent Sterling Energy, which has since been renamed Afentra. McDade spoke to Petroleum Economist about the relaunched company’s priorities, its African ambitions and the takeaways from his time as Tullow CEO. Afentra—short for African Energy Transition—will employ an acquire and build model focused on producing assets and discovered resources rather than greenfield developments, he explains. The firm will look at asset quality and potential, for instance whether a field’s productive life could be extended in a cost-effective manner, and is “agnostic” about whether particula
Also in this section
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
21 April 2026
As the global energy system undergoes a fundamental realignment, Algihaz Holdings has established itself as a critical player bridging conventional energy markets and the next generation of renewable infrastructure.
21 April 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is taking place from 11-15 October 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.






