The French Banker Who Challenged The Oil & Gas Status Quo! The Untold Story of Panoro Energy

In this episode of The Energy Executive 360 Podcast, we sit down with Julien Balkany, Chairman of Panoro Energy, to explore his journey from investment banker and fund manager in New York to leading the transformation of an African independent oil & gas company.At just 27 years old, Julien found himself as a French outsider with no technical oil & gas background trying to convince seasoned Texas oil executives to embrace a new vision for value creation. What followed was a career built on persistence, determination, disciplined capital allocation, and the willingness to challenge conventional thinking.Throughout the conversation, Julien shares the story behind Panoro Energy's transformation from a struggling company during the 2014 oil price collapse into a profitable African-focused producer with operations across Gabon, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.We also explore what may be the next defining chapter in Panoro's growth story: the transformational acquisition from Kosmos Energy of an increased stake in the Block G offshore Equatorial Guinea in early 2026.Beyond the business story, Julien offers powerful insights into shareholder value creation, leadership, acquisitions, partnerships, mentoring and why patience remains one of the most underrated ingredients of long-term success.What You'll Learn:⬛ How a French banker became Chairman of a £300M oil & gas company⬛ The challenge of being an outsider in the oil industry⬛ Why persistence and determination matter more than credentials⬛ Turning around companies during industry downturns⬛ How Panoro transformed from a struggling company into a profitable African producer⬛ The acquisition strategy that delivered payback in less than 18 months⬛ Why the 2026 Block G acquisition could transform Panoro's future⬛ The importance of geographic focus and strategic discipline⬛ How to create long-term shareholder value⬛ Why trust and partnerships are critical in the energy industry⬛ The future of African oil & gas in the energy transition⬛ Why smaller companies can unlock value where larger companies cannot⬛ Lessons from mentors, leadership and boardroom decision-making⬛ Why success is a marathon, not a sprintFollow Julien Balkany & Panoro EnergyWebsite: https://www.panoroenergy.com/ Julien’s LinkedIn: / julien-balkany-37752442 The Energy Executive 360 with Emilio FaulmataFollow Emilio on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/EmilioFaulmataTEE360 Studio: https://www.emiliofaulmata.com► TEE360 Future Energy Leaders Network:https://www.skool.com/tee360-global-e...We’ve recently launched the TEE360 Future Energy Leaders Network — a global community designed for ambitious young professionals, entrepreneurs, and students in energy who want to level up their careers.Get access to the right connections, build relationships across the global energy industry, and learn directly from executives and CEOs shaping the future of the sector.If you're serious about becoming an energy leader, join us today. #PanoroEnergy #JulienBalkany #OilAndGas #EnergyLeadership #africaenergy #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Investing #MergersAndAcquisitions #EnergyTransition #BusinessStrategy #CorporateLeadership #EnergyExecutive360