Graham Weale

Biography

Professional Experience and Achievements

Chief Economist, RWE AG May 2007- present

Responsible for economic planning assumptions used throughout the company and advising Board of major economic/market developments.

Director European Energy Services, Global Insight, May 2001 – April 2007. (Global Insight was formed from merger of WEFA and DRI). 

Reached c. $5 mn turnover and leading team of 12. Responsible for all consultancy and retainer services covering power, gas and policy in 31 countries.

Major Consultancy Projects:

For European Commission – three studies:  (i) Implications of gas market opening – subsequent benchmarking reports have been based on that initial report; (ii) Future of LT gas contracts; (iii) Energy and Transport annual report (with Karlsruhe University).

For UK DTI: Three projects (i) Winter 05/06 Gas Supply demand balance (ii) deficiencies of UK gas forward market (iii) macro-economic impact of high energy prices.

For various banks – due diligence studies for investment in power plants (e.g. Drax).

For gas producers – various high profile gas arbitration cases.

Supervised wide range of other studies on power and gas (including LNG).
 
Director European Energy Consultancy, WEFA (Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates) founded by Nobel Prizewinner; Thomson Financial Subsidiary. Dec 1992 – Apr 2001.

Retainer Services

Introduced further services including on Global Coal, European Power Prices, Gas Storage, and Multi-Fuel Forecasting Service (Oil, Coal, Gas) which is now recognised market leader comparing key drivers of fossil fuel prices. (30 subscribers).

Consulting studies:

For international oil company – major study on prospects for gas liberalisation and comparisons with other network industries (included board presentation).

Manager European Oil and Gas Services WEFA. Mar 1987 – Dec 1992 

Engaged to build up European energy consultancy. Achieved $1 mn and team of 4 within 3 years.

Main two developments were:

Formation of European Gas S-D report which has become an industry standard 

European oil refining service which included a major conference for refinery managers reaching maximum attendance of 300.

Senior Energy Consultant, DRI (Data Resources Inc.); McGraw Hill Subsidiary
Sep 1984 – Feb 1987 

Responsible for LT European Energy Forecasts together with special studies on European Gas, International Coal and Regulation.

Management Consultant, Deloitte Oct 1982 – Sep 1984 

Responsible for various energy studies including major coal review for UK government; also for leading firm’s initiative on regulating natural monopolies.

ExxonMobil Dec 1977 – Sep 1981

Manager of Supply Systems

Responsible for modelling systems used by planning department and two refineries. Conceived and built linear program model which achieved major cost savings.

Refinery co-ordinator of crude and heavy products

Responsible for planning of crude runs at Fawley refinery (1/7th of total UK crude)

LPG and Naphtha Co-ordinator 

Responsible for meeting LPG and Naphtha demand in UK; authorisation to trade.

Physicist, EMI Medical Systems Oct 1975-Nov 1977.  

Responsible for design of X-ray systems and designing means of calibrating performance.

Professional Recognition

Regularly invited to chair international gas conferences including plenary session of Flame 2006 and 2007.

Committee Member and Fellow of Energy Institute London

Regularly cited in Financial Times

Broadcasts regularly on Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC and BBC