Access is everything: why ESG and strategic acreage access are the twin pillars of upstream success
- 24 April 2025
- Posted by: Greg Coleman
- Category: energy transition
In the world of upstream oil and gas, securing the future begins well before the first drill bit hits the ground. Today, two forces are shaping the path to growth: a credible commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, and a smart, strategic approach to acreage access along with a strong financial basis.
These aren’t parallel priorities. They’re intertwined — and together, they underpin resilience, relevance and profitability in an increasingly complex energy landscape.
ESG and HSE: licence to operate — and grow
For modern operators, ESG and HSE are no longer compliance checklists. They are business critical. Governments, investors and local communities demand tangible proof of responsible operations — and those who meet that challenge are rewarded with competitive advantage.
Strong ESG and HSE credentials bring clear commercial benefits: better access to capital, smoother regulatory approvals, stronger stakeholder trust and even preferential treatment in licence awards. Here’s how:
- environmental stewardship: reducing methane emissions, protecting biodiversity, managing waste and planning for end-of-life decommissioning are no longer optional. Operators deploying technologies like leak detection and predictive maintenance are setting the new standard
- social responsibility: respect for human rights, community engagement and local economic development aren’t just ethical imperatives, they’re essential for securing local support and community engagement
- governance and ethics: transparent reporting, anti-corruption safeguards and sound corporate governance build trust and investor confidence
- health and safety excellence: a proactive health and safety culture protects people and assets. From hazard identification to rigorous training, HSE needs to be embedded at every level.
The cost of getting this wrong? Regulatory penalties, project delays, reputational damage and lost investment. The upside of getting it right? Resilience, performance and long-term value.
Strategic access: where growth begins
With ESG and HSE forming a solid foundation, the next critical step is access — to acreage, to data, to partnerships and to the fiscal terms that make projects viable.
How to secure strategic acreage
- Licence rounds: competitive bids demand deep preparation — geological understanding, fiscal modelling and a clear ESG value proposition.
- Direct awards: relationships and reputation matter. Demonstrating a proven track record of responsible operations and robust finance can unlock strategic awards.
- Farm-ins: partnering into existing assets offers speed to market, shared risk, and immediate upside — but demands robust due diligence.
- Fiscal terms: royalties, profit splits, and government take shape the economic case. Skilled negotiation and scenario modelling are essential.
- Data-driven decision-making: leveraging seismic data, regional analogues and subsurface insights helps de-risk exploration and clarify potential.
- Risk profiling: evaluating cost structures, regulatory burdens and development timelines keeps ambitions grounded in commercial reality.
Where the action is: deepwater and gas
From 2020 to 2025, major discoveries have clustered in deepwater frontiers — often in water depths over 2,000m. Countries like Guyana, Namibia, and Suriname have become hotspots, with the Gulf of Mexico continuing to yield substantial finds.
These plays offer scale and upside — but also complexity and capital intensity. Their success hinges on technical excellence and regulatory clarity, as well as infrastructure readiness.
Meanwhile, the Middle East is doubling down on natural gas, seeking to reduce domestic oil consumption and decarbonise power generation. However, monetising offshore gas requires not just pipelines and processing but robust regional demand and long-term planning.
Case in point: Namibia’s deepwater ascent
Once a high-risk frontier, Namibia became a breakout story in 2022. Shell’s Graff and TotalEnergies’ Venus discoveries turned heads, demonstrating the potential of the deepwater Orange Basin.
The appeal? A combination of technical success, investor-friendly fiscal terms and government openness. It’s a case study in how thoughtful ESG and HSE strategies, coupled with smart access tactics, can unlock high-value opportunities in emerging basins.
How we help: from access to advantage
At Future Energy Partners, we help operators translate access strategies into competitive edge. Our services include:
- acreage access strategy and licence round support
- due diligence for acquisitions and divestments
- PSC negotiation and fiscal modelling
- farm-in/farm-out strategy and execution
- fundraising strategy and investor engagement
- strategic partnership development.
Whether you’re entering a new basin, seeking a JV partner, or refining your risk profile, we bring the insight and experience to help you move with confidence.
Looking ahead
Success in upstream oil and gas requires more than technical skill. It calls for strategic clarity, ethical leadership, and a long-term vision rooted in sustainability and stakeholder value.
By embedding ESG and HSE from the start — and approaching acreage access with strategic intent — operators can not only navigate the complexities of today’s energy landscape, but also lead the way toward a more responsible, profitable and resilient future.