The PNG Petroleum & Energy Conference is proud to announce that Dr. Fereidun Fesharaki, one of the most influential figures in the global energy sector, will make his final international conference appearance in Papua New Guinea this October.
Dr. Fesharaki’s association with Papua New Guinea spans 36 years, dating back to
his first visit in 1989 as an advisor to the National Government. Since then, he has
returned almost every year, supporting successive Prime Ministers, Petroleum and
Energy Ministers, and senior officials with advice and market insights that have
shaped the country’s energy policy and investment strategy.
Through his company, Facts Global Energy (FGE), Dr. Fesharaki has provided
technical and commercial expertise to PNG, including training programs for Kumul
Petroleum staff. His contribution has been integral in positioning PNG’s LNG and
petroleum sectors on the global stage, and his insights have consistently guided
both government and industry through cycles of growth and challenge.
Internationally, Dr. Fesharaki is recognised as a pioneer of oil and gas market
analysis, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern energy markets since the
early 1980s. A Ph.D. graduate of the University of Surrey, with a Visiting Fellowship at
Harvard University, he went on to lead the East-West Center’s Energy Program from
1979 to 2013.
He has served in numerous senior roles globally, including as:
* President of the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE)
* Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies(Washington, D.C.)
* Member of the Council on Foreign Relations (New York)
* Director of the Dubai Mercantile Exchange Limited
* Recipient of the Adelman-Frankel Award from the U.S. Association for EnergyEconomics
* Advisor to leading global corporations, LNG developers, and governmentsMore recently, he was re-appointed to the U.S. National Petroleum Council by theSecretary of Energy, underscoring his enduring influence at the highest levels.
That such a distinguished global voice has chosen to make his final appearance at
the PNG Petroleum & Energy Conference is testament to his deep connection with
the country.
His last keynote will not only look ahead at the global petroleum and energy outlook but also reflect on his decades of engagement with Papua New Guinea.
Dr Luke Liria PhD (hc), Acting MD for KPHL said, “Dr. Fesharaki has been an advisor, a mentor, and a true friend of Papua New Guinea for over three decades. His analyses have been sought after across the world, and his decision to close his remarkable speaking career here in PNG is an honour and a historic moment for our nation.”
The 2025 PNG Petroleum & Energy Conference, themed “The next 50”, will be held on 8-9 October at The Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby. The event will host:
* Over 40 international and national speakers
* 80 exhibitors
* 500+ delegates from across the globe
* High-level sessions on petroleum, LNG, energy transition, and technologicalinnovation
In addition to the conference sessions, a Kumul Petroleum gala dinner will bring together sponsors, speakers, and delegates to celebrate PNG’s role in the global energy industry and to mark this historic farewell.
Dr. Fesharaki’s presence has always elevated dialogue in Papua New Guinea’s energy sector. His final keynote will not just be a forecast through his renowned ‘Fesharaki crystal ball’. It will be a farewell from a global icon who has stood beside PNG for over three decades, guiding, advising, and helping shape its journey into the future of energy.
