Background
A leading West African oil and gas conglomerate had identified a major upstream asset acquisition opportunity — a producing block with significant reserve upside and strategic value within its existing portfolio. The transaction was large, complex, and time-sensitive, requiring simultaneous preparation across technical, commercial, legal, and financing workstreams.
The company's internal team had strong operational expertise but lacked the bandwidth and specialist transaction management capability required to coordinate a deal of this scale. A disorganised or delayed process risked losing the opportunity entirely.
The Challenge
Catalyst PMO was brought in to provide the structure, coordination, and strategic advisory support needed to prepare for and execute the acquisition. The engagement spanned the full transaction lifecycle — from initial preparation through to signing.
- Coordinating a multi-workstream due diligence process across technical, legal, financial and regulatory dimensions
- Structuring and managing relationships with potential financing partners
- Preparing the executive team and board for transaction milestones and approvals
- Managing a tight timeline driven by vendor process deadlines
Our Approach
We structured the engagement around three parallel workstreams, each with dedicated oversight and a clear owner:
Workstream 1 — Due Diligence Coordination. We created a master due diligence tracker and managed information flow between the client's internal team, external legal advisors, and technical consultants. Weekly workstream calls and a consolidated issues log ensured nothing fell through the cracks.
Workstream 2 — Operational Excellence. Drawing on our network, we facilitated introductions to a shortlist of lenders and financiers with appetite for African upstream transactions. We managed the information memorandum process, term sheet negotiations, and lender onboarding coordination.
Workstream 3 — Executive and Board Readiness. We prepared board papers, executive briefings, and decision frameworks to ensure leadership was fully informed and confident at each transaction milestone. We also managed communication with regulatory authorities in the relevant jurisdiction.
Results
- Full due diligence process completed within the vendor's required timeline
- Financing structure agreed with a preferred lender group ahead of signing
- Board and executive team fully prepared for all transaction milestones
- Transaction signed on schedule, with no material issues arising post-signing
- Client retained Catalyst PMO for ongoing project management of post-acquisition integration
Conclusion
Major asset acquisitions in the energy sector demand a level of coordination, discipline, and strategic clarity that stretches most organisations. By embedding alongside the client's executive team and managing all transaction workstreams in parallel, Catalyst PMO enabled the deal to proceed at pace without compromising rigour.
This engagement demonstrates the value of an execution-focused advisory model in the context of high-stakes, time-sensitive transactions — where the cost of delay or disorganisation can be measured in significant lost value.