BCG’s Phillip Whittaker discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the upstream oil sector.

Philip Whittaker joined Boston Consulting Group in 2007. He is a core member of the Energy practice, specializing in upstream oil and gas and oilfield services and equipment.

Philip has 25 years’ experience in oil and gas exploration and production. As a consultant, he has worked with operators, national oil companies, service companies, and investors in more than 25 countries on a range of strategic and operational issues.

Philip has led and supported over 100 projects in oil and gas covering strategy, growth, operating models, and post-merger integration. He also co-leads BCG's work on E&P Decommissioning. He has published extensively on E&P, and is regularly called upon as an oil industry commentator by sources including the BBC and The Economist.

Before his consulting career, Philip worked with Shell, running onshore, jungle, and desert drilling operations in Europe, South America, and the Middle East.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • BE, civil engineering, University of Leeds

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Registered as a chartered engineer
  • Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers

Publications and Videos

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Boomerang Decommissioning Liabilities: An Intensifying Risk

Six months ago, BCG highlighted the risk of so-called “boomerang” liabilities for oil and gas decommissioning. Since then, more than $1.5 billion of liabilities have flowed back to equity partners or former asset owners. It’s a growing issue and one to which both operators and regulators may need to pay increasing attention.
Does Oil & Gas Risk a Wave of Idle Iron?

Does Oil & Gas Risk a Wave of Idle Iron?

If low oil prices persist, deferred decommissioning spend and accelerated shutdowns could create a new wave of "idle iron"—resulting in increased costs, risks, and external scrutiny.
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Oilfield Services and Equipment: Double Declines

Current market conditions will make it challenging for some companies to stay afloat. Five actions can help oil and gas operators navigate multiple scenarios.
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Oil and Gas Needs Decommissioning Models That Work at Scale

It’s a half-trillion-dollar liability that will only grow over time. Leading operators in each basin must decide on a strategy and work with their suppliers to put it into action.
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Are You Ready for the Next Wave of Upstream Transformations?

Upstream oil and gas companies took bold measures to weather the plunge in commodity prices. But they’ll need to reinvent themselves yet again.
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A Roadmap for Cutting Decommissioning Costs by 30%

Oil and gas operators and governments have announced ambitious plans to reduce abandonment expenses. To make it happen, they need to orchestrate a multifaceted approach.
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Preparing for the Next Wave of Offshore Decommissioning

Thousands of wells and structures in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and West Africa are nearing obsolescence. Governments must prepare for the massive decommissioning task ahead.
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Alliances in Oilfield Services

Alliance activity in oilfield services could help oil and gas companies navigate a challenging environment. It could also be a boon to the oilfield services industry.
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The North Sea’s $100 Billion Decommissioning Challenge

Aggregate estimates for North Sea oil and gas decommissioning start at $100 billion and rise sharply. Systemic pain points among operators are adding complexity, time, and cost.
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Are Persistently Lower Oil Prices Good?

Lower oil prices have failed to deliver most of the economic benefits that many analysts had expected.
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Government Take in Upstream Oil and Gas

With the unprecedented decline in industry revenues, oil and gas companies and governments must work together to frame a balanced dialogue and shape a more appropriate level of government take.
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Big Oil: Toughen It Out, or Business Model Reboot?

Big Oil has been under pressure recently, but its days are far from over—if it acts soon. With the proper adjustments, it can continue to lead in oil and gas development for decades to come.
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