The Energy Executive 360 with Emilio Faulmata

In this episode of The Energy Executive 360 Podcast, we sit down with Ian Cloke, Co-Founder & COO of Afentra, to explore his extraordinary career in global oil & gas exploration — from getting lost in the jungles of Borneo as a PhD student to discovering billion-barrel oil basins across Africa.With more than 30 years of experience spanning companies including Conoco, Mobil, and Tullow Oil, Ian shares the highs, failures, uncertainty, and resilience required to survive in one of the highest-risk industries in the world.He takes us inside the reality of exploration drilling: the sleepless nights before wells, the pressure of making billion-dollar decisions with incomplete information, and the emotional rollercoaster of going from “hero to zero” — and back again — within days.Ian also reflects on the journey of building Afentra during one of the toughest periods in modern energy history. Launching the company in 2020 at the peak of anti-oil sentiment and low oil prices, he explains why he and the team believed the world still needed pragmatic, balanced energy thinking — and why Africa remains one of the biggest long-term opportunities in global energy.What you’ll learn:⬛ The emotional reality of oil & gas exploration and discovery⬛ Why resilience is the most important skill in the energy industry⬛ Lessons from discovering over 1 billion barrels of oil in Uganda⬛ The story behind Kenya’s first oil discovery⬛ How intuition, science, and experience combine in high-stakes decision-making⬛ Why exploration geologists must become comfortable with uncertainty⬛ The dangers of bad decision-making during high oil-price environments⬛ Building Afentra during the 2020 “peak green” anti-oil climate⬛ Why the best opportunities are often where nobody else is looking⬛ The future of Africa’s role in global energy markets⬛ Why the energy transition must be about “and,” not “or”⬛ The importance of secure, affordable, and balanced energy systemsFollow Ian Cloke & AfentraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-cloke... Website: https://www.afentraplc.com/ 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:https://www.skool.com/tee360-global-e...#afentra #oilandgas #energytransition #africaenergy #angola #exploration #leadership #energyleadership #upstream #offshore #energysecurity #entrepreneurship #podcast #futureofenergy #businessleadership #energyindustry #westafrica

In Episode 14 of The Energy Executive 360 Podcast, Emilio Faulmata steps away from the traditional interview format for a raw solo episode filmed in Paris — reflecting on the journey of building one of the fastest-growing independent energy podcasts from nothing.From filming early episodes across Spain, Aberdeen, London, Kuwait and South Africa, to sitting down with CEOs, founders and some highly influential figures in global energy, Emilio breaks down what he’s learned about ambition, risk-taking, belief, and why moving with intention changes everything.This episode is not just about podcasting or energy.It’s about what happens when you stop waiting for permission.Emilio opens up about why he started the podcast less than a year ago, why the oil & gas industry desperately needs more honest and unapologetic conversations, and why he believes the future of energy cannot be built through ideology alone.He also speaks candidly about fear, quitting his job, taking risks before feeling ready, and the mindset shift that happens once you start betting on yourself fully.At the core of this conversation is a bigger mission:changing the narrative around energy, leadership, and what is actually possible for people willing to pursue something irrational enough that others initially call it crazy.What you'll learn:⬛ How Emilio went from zero connections to interviewing global energy CEOs⬛ Why oil & gas leaders need to speak more openly and publicly⬛ The mission behind changing the narrative around energy⬛ Why the energy transition and oil & gas are not opposing concepts⬛ The psychology of taking risks before you feel ready⬛ Why belief in yourself changes how the world responds to you⬛ What happens when you stop waiting for permission⬛ Why “moving with intention” opens doors faster than people think⬛ The real reason most people never pursue what they actually want⬛ Why action creates pathways and clarity over time⬛ Lessons learned from founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs across the energy industry⬛ Why energy is ultimately about improving lives and creating opportunity⬛ The importance of building something bigger than yourself⬛ Why the people who fail the most often believe in themselves the most⬛ “Trust your delusion” — and let the path define itselfThis episode is for anyone trying to build something difficult, unconventional, or ambitious — especially when nobody around them fully understands the vision yet.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-energy-network-7260/about We recently launched the TEE360 Future Energy Leaders Network — a global community designed for ambitious students, young professionals and entrepreneurs who want to build meaningful careers in energy.Connect with future leaders across the industry, access exclusive opportunities, and learn directly from executives shaping the future of global energy.If you’re serious about becoming a leader in energy, join us today.#energyleadership #oilandgas #energytransition #leadership #entrepreneurship #podcast #energyleadership #motivation #business #careergrowth #futureofenergy #founderstory #energyindustry #mindset #selfbelief #youngprofessionals #globalenergycrisis #energyleadership #tee360