BWE building on history in the North Sea
The name Blue Water Energy (BWE) may be new, but the faces are familiar
BWE is a London-based, energy focused private equity (PE) firm. It has invested in UK continental shelf (UKCS) producer Siccar Point Energy and Norway's Mime Petroleum, both alongside fellow PE investor Blackstone, and the Norwegian continental shelf focused Wellesley Petroleum. Graeme Sword—a BWE founder partner and formerly head of oil and gas at PE firm 3i, which was active in North Sea E&P throughout the 2000s—recently spoke to Petroleum Economist editor-in-chief Peter Ramsay. PR: Is it fair to say the private equity (PE) investment has received something of an at least, cautious, if not bad press? And that even the term "PE in the North Sea" belies differences in approach? GS: I ag
Also in this section
9 January 2026
OPEC+ remains on track as output falls, with only Gabon failing to hit its output targets in December, although Kazakhstan’s compliance was involuntary
9 January 2026
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
9 January 2026
While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions






