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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 30 years’ experience in oil and gas exploration and production in the industry. As a consultant, he has worked with operators, national oil companies, service companies, and investors in more than 30 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

High Oil and Gas Prices Could Threaten Decommissioning Performance and Decarbonization Ambitions.jpg

High Oil and Gas Prices Could Threaten Decommissioning Performance and Decarbonization Ambitions

The upcycle in oil and gas prices creates an opportunity for companies to invest in both sustainability and competitive positioning. Delivering on decommissioning commitments is core to this.
Toward Lower Emissions in Upstream Oil and Gas | Infographic

Toward Lower Carbon Emissions in Upstream Oil and Gas: The Infographic

Companies that act now to reduce the environmental footprint of their drilling operations can differentiate themselves from competitors and boost their valuation multiples.
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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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The Impact of Japan’s Nuclear Crisis on the Global Energy Sector

By prompting governments to rethink their commitment to nuclear energy, Japan’s nuclear crisis may have launched fundamental changes in the global energy landscape.