Since its modest beginning in 1996 with just over 100 attendees, the Lillehammer Energy Claims Conference had steadily grown to become the premier energy insurance market conference.
The current scenario
The geopolitical events during 2023 have caused societal changes in many parts of the world. They have affected global trade patterns, supply chains etc and the world is adapting to these changes. For our modern societies energy is a basic need and the latest developments have raised significant concerns about fragility in the supply of energy. Like financing, insurance is an enabler to develop and maintain a stable supply of energy to the world whilst ensuring that global societies maintain sustainable progress.
Agenda
The agenda for the LECC 2024 conference is devised to address a broad variety of topics of relevance to practitioners in the international energy insurance market. LECC 2024 will address the current state of the energy insurance markets, international geopolitical situation, Carbon Capture and Storage risks, abandoned offshore wells, AI in insurance processes and many other interesting topics. The committee always aims to reflect opinions and feedback gained from previous conferences.
In-person
Equally to the professional take-aways from the conference, the relaxed venue is renowned for its excellent atmosphere for networking across the business categories of attending professionals. Digital webinars are excellent for information sharing and basic training courses, however, have a long way to go to replace in-person meetings.
The conference is the leading international gathering of underwriters, claims adjusters, insureds, brokers and other service providers involved in claims arising from activities which are commonly referred to as offshore energy risks (which extend to related onshore activities and include well and drilling operations irrespective of location).
For over five years the conference has attracted capacity attendances - some 345 delegates in 2015 for the 20th Anniversary Conference. In recent years participants from America, Angola, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Dubai, France, Germany, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K., Venezuela, Vietnam and elsewhere, have clearly justify the conference’s claim to be the premier international energy claims forum.
Attendance at the Conference is, in general, restricted to representatives of underwriters, claims adjusters, insureds, claims brokers and other service providers directly involved in claims arising from offshore energy risks.
The Conference is not open to members of the legal professions although the Committee will usually issue a very limited number of specific invitations to lawyers closely involved with subjects under discussion. To encourage an atmosphere of open debate and participation, opinions expressed at the event are considered personal to the speakers and members of the media are excluded.
Delegates are always encouraged though Q&A and commentary sessions to play an active part in the Conferences’ interactive programmes.
Spencer is a Director of Lloyd Warwick International, based in London. He is a Chartered Engineer and also holds a Master’s degree in Insurance and Risk Management. Having over 23 years international engineering, power, marine and energy experience, Spencer has been involved with many large losses.
Throughout his career Spencer has handled a wide variety of claims, including up/downstream energy, petrochemical, heavy engineering, pressure vessels, power production, offshore energy sectors including MOUs, FPSOs and drilling systems, machinery systems, specialist subsea equipment, shipping, yachts, ports and terminals, ship repairer’s liability and renewable energy.
Initially working for Lloyd’s Register of Shipping Classification Society Spencer spent several years working overseas carrying out hull and machinery, offshore fabrications, vessel in-service and new construction surveys, and worked in London and Copenhagen carrying out structural engineering design work.
From 2001 he joined a specialist international loss adjusting firm and has been involved with complex insurance claims, technical surveys, forensic engineering and root cause investigations. Spencer has also provided litigation support and expert related work in UK, Europe, USA and South Asia. He has lectured on marine and energy subjects including FLNG, FPSOs, MOUs, subsea equipment and claims handling around the world. In 2015 he became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.
Angela is a Partner in Clyde & Co's London office. She advises insurers on complex energy insurance matters globally, across construction and operational phases. She has a broad knowledge and understanding of the oil & gas, petrochemical and renewables sectors.
Angela assists insurers across the full spectrum of their requirements including drafting policy wordings, advising on coverage, defending claims (liability claims and coverage) and pursuing subrogated recoveries.
Angela has significant experience of representing insurers in litigation and arbitration, including jurisdictional disputes, but she has also frequently helped insurers to conclude claims more amicably through settlement negotiations and mediation.
Tormod Heier is Professor of Military Strategy and Operations, Professor-II at Inland University of Applied Science, and Assistant Professor at Swedish Defence University in Stockholm. Heier has 32 years’ experience as officer in Norway’s Armed Forces, including 15 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. As an officer, he served among other places in the Army's Brigade North, in Norway’s Intelligence Service, at the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, and in Mazar-e-Sharif, North-Afghanistan.
Heier have one doctorate and two master’s degree in political science and War Studies respectively from the University of Oslo and King's College, London. He has published numerous books on Norwegian, allied and Russian operations in the High North, in Afghanistan, Libya and Ukraine. He has also published books on social science methods, and strategic competence management. Heier regularly holds lectures for universities and grass-root organizations, including the Chiefs Course at the Norwegian Defense Academy.
Allan became an adjuster in Singapore in 2009 where he worked on offshore construction and operational losses involving platforms, pipelines, subsea equipment, mooring systems and a jack-up drilling unit in India, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei and China. Allan transferred to London in 2012 and has handled a number of significant offshore construction, operational, LOPI and liability losses. He is now Managing Director of the Europe Adjusting team.
Aker BP joined Microsoft's Copilot Early Adopter program in the summer of 2023. As application manager in Aker BPs Digital department, Elise Rasmussen took on the role as Project Manager for the Microsoft 365 Copilot Roll-Out. Together with key stakeholders in Aker BP, she has played a significant role in testing out this brand new technology in Aker BP context, making sure the technology was rolled out in a safe, yet agile manner. Since summer 2023, Aker BP has successfully onboarded over 1,000 users to their Copilot Early Adopter program. In her presentation at the Lillehammer Energy Claims conference, Elise will share a bit about Aker BPs journey with Microsoft 365 Copilot so far, and touch upon some of the key use cases and benefits to the technology.
Jason leads the Marine & Energy claim teams at Miller. Over his career Jason has successfully handled some of the insurance markets largest energy claims and has experienced most types of losses that the energy industry can produce.
Jason is a member of the energy senior management team and a member of marine claims sub-committee at the London and International Insurance Brokers Association (LIIBA).
Away from work, Jason is a keen runner and is a member of the Lloyd’s running club.
Director of Lloyd Warwick International (London) with over twenty five years' claims handling experience. Luke’s specialist expertise is in the application of information technology to large scale data intensive claim scenarios, bringing the techniques of analytics and data science to claims adjusting. Luke's expertise includes property, liability and business interruption losses chiefly in the oil, gas, petrochemical, power and utility industries and special risks including trade disruption and the emerging field of cyber claims.
Following graduation from Heriot-Watt University with a BEng (Hons) in Offshore Engineering (Electrical & Electronic), Luke joined Brocklehurst Oil & Gas in 1993. He quickly gained experience on some of the largest losses of the day including the La Mede Refinery explosion and Exxon Valdez oil spill. In 1998 he moved to Bateman Chapman (subsequently Charles Taylor Adjusting) where he continued to develop the use of innovative technology in the claims process. This was recognised in 2012 with two industry awards. In 2013 he moved to Lloyd Warwick International.
Myles has been handling Energy claims in the London market for over twenty years, including claims for control of well, operational risks, offshore construction, floating assets and associated liabilities. In recent years, his experience has extended to include renewable energy claims. He has considerable experience of working in a Lead role and regularly interacts with clients and brokers to achieve resolution of complex losses. His experience includes major losses such as Macondo, acting as a claims agreement party for the Siri claim and on the steering committee for the MOPUStor claim. Myles recently completed a MSc in Decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations with the University of Aberdeen, achieving a Distinction, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Development with Heriot-Watt University, with a particular focus on offshore wind generation. Myles also holds the ACII qualification.
He handles all forms of marine claims, including marine liability, in relation to loss of or damage to cargo at sea or carried by road, rail or air. Toby has considerable experience of first party cargo claims, including project cargo and related DSU claims, as well as hull and machinery insurance and ports and terminal losses.
Toby's practice also focuses on claims, coverage disputes and recovery actions relating to offshore energy construction and operating risks, renewables, energy liability exposures and mining risks, including advising on global insurance programmes in these areas. In relation to both marine and energy insurance, Toby also advises on related cyber risks.
Toby is the firm's Climate Change Lead, and advises insurers and their customers on the evolving risks around climate change and ESG.
Greig is a solicitor advocate who assists clients in resolving commercial disputes by negotiation, ADR, litigation and arbitration. He specialises in insurance disputes, assisting policyholders, brokers, insurers and reinsurers on claims and coverage issues in relation to all types of insurance and reinsurance.
He is highly experienced in advising clients on some of the largest and most complex insurance claims in the market, across many sectors, including financial institutions, infrastructure, real estate, pharmaceuticals and hospitality. His experience extends across all types of insurance, with particular emphasis on management liability (D&O/POSI), cyber, crime/bankers blanket bond, civil liability (PI), property and business interruption, public and products liability and trade and credit risk. He also regularly advises clients on non-contentious matters such as policy drafting and review.
He also advises in relation to a wide range of general commercial disputes in areas ranging from professional negligence to contractual disputes and restitutionary claims. His matters commonly have an international aspect.
Greig is ranked in Legal 500 UK as a Leading Individual for Insurance Litigation for Policyholders and a Next Generation Partner for Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation. He is also ranked in Chambers UK where he is described as "a highly astute and commercial operator, who is very responsive and user-friendly" as well as someone who "gives extremely good advice, he's very thorough and he's technically good."Background
Greig has a bachelor of laws (honours) degree from the University of Bristol. He qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and made partner in 2017.
Neil has 5 years’ experience in adjusting renewable energy claims and has 7 years’ previous experience in the marine industry. He has specialised as a renewable energy adjuster and yacht and specialist craft surveyor.
Neil has successfully settled significant onshore and offshore renewable energy claims globally, as well as yacht and specialist craft losses in the UK.
Bjørn is a Master Mariner by education with a nautical background (12 years) from cargo ships and semi-submersible drilling rigs. He has 18 years underwriting experience with various insurance companies, 14 years broking experience with Sedgwick/Marsh and 10 years with DNO partly in parallel with broking - Yes, I am that old!
Patrick is a partner in Kennedys’ London office with over 30 years’ experience specialising in insurance and reinsurance law.
His practice is primarily focused on coverage and disputes work in marine, offshore and onshore energy, political violence/terrorism, trade credit and political risk. Patrick handles litigation before the Commercial Court in London, arbitration mandates and has mediated a significant number of disputes to a successful conclusion. He regularly acts as monitoring counsel for insurers/reinsurers in respect of international claims.
Predominantly acting for global insurers and Lloyd’s syndicates, a significant proportion of Patrick’s practice sees him advise clients in respect of claims under construction and operational policies, advising on many substantial energy losses worldwide – both offshore and onshore. He is increasingly advising on renewables claims in particular concerning offshore wind.
His experience of handling marine matters includes handling claims under hull and machinery, mortgagee's interest, war, loss of hire, cargo, charterers' liability, ports and terminals, general liability and protection and indemnity (P&I) policies. Patrick also represents insurers and owners, charterers and terminal operators on shipping disputes and casualties. Patrick has handled political violence/risk claims for insurers in jurisdictions including the UK, US, Libya, Algeria, Syria, Thailand, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Nepal.
Patrick is a regular speaker at many of the leading international marine and energy conferences and co-wrote the first three editions of Good Faith and Insurance Contracts (published by Informa).
Jørn has worked with Danish and International Insurance for more than 30 years. For the previous 15 years, he has primarily worked with large and complex claims within the Energy sector, including offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms and conventional power plants. Jørn’s extensive experience covers both Construction All Risks (including DSU) as well as Operational All Risks / BI.
His experience covers E&P operations, construction projects, LOPI and control of well / pollution. Kit also leads the sustainable energy claims practice at INDECS.
Kit works with clients to identify potential issues early and believes that adopting a transparent and pragmatic approach is key to achieving resolution on the claims he advises on.
In addition to his claims practice, Kit provides training to clients on risk allocation through contract and the management of contractual claims.
When away from insurance Kit’s current area of focus is trying to convince his young children that there is more to a National Trust property than the playground and café. He has had limited success so far.
Kit has a degree in Biomedical Chemistry from Warwick university.
Matt aspired to be a trial lawyer when he was in high school. When this aspiration came to fruition, Matt dedicated himself to put his all into every case he handles regardless of size or complexity. Matt eagerly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in energy, oil and gas, personal injury, property damage, transportation, insurance, subrogation and breach of contract matters.
Matt represents clients before juries, judges and arbitrators, in both state and federal courts. In every case, he is driven to find the best solution for his clients. With numerous trials under his belt, Matt is willing to do whatever it takes to help his clients achieve their goals, whether through settlement, motion practice or trial.
Matt considers himself a native Houstonian. Matt lived in Houston, Texas as a child and then attended high school in Henderson, Texas. He obtained his degree in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University and then returned to Houston to attend law school at South Texas College of Law. After graduating law school, Matt was a trial attorney for nine years at a mid-sized litigation firm in Houston prior to joining Hall Maines Lugrin.
Radmil Kranda is Vice President and the Head of Energy Underwriting at Gard, located in Oslo. He overseas a portfolio of upstream oil company, mobile offshore unit and renewable energy insurance programs. Radmil has spent 8 years handling complex energy claims in Gard prior to transitioning to underwriting.
Radmil was previously chair of YLECC and holds an LLM in Maritime Law from the University of Oslo.
Nigel advises upon a wide range of insurance/reinsurance contract issues, both as regards the development/review of insurance wordings and structures and insurance claims. Having been seconded to work in the insurance market, his advice is underpinned by an understanding of how the industry operates.
Nigel acts for insurers, reinsurers, brokers, and major insured entities and their captive insurers. Nigel is regularly engaged in relation to the development/review of insurance wordings including WELCAR, Onshore/Offshore Property/BI, marine liability, product liability, marine cargo, shipbuilding, gas storage, LME Metals storage, political risk and trade credit. Nigel also undertakes pre acquisition claims due diligence reviews and recent work includes a pre-acquisition claims due diligence review exercise in relation to proposed acquisition of Lloyd's Syndicate, Managing Agency and Corporate Members, a pre-acquisition claims due diligence review exercise in relation to the proposed provision of adverse development cover for a casualty book of a Lloyd's Syndicate, and various dispute/litigation reviews for purchasers of target companies.
Radmil Kranda is Vice President and the Head of Energy Underwriting at Gard, located in Oslo. He overseas a portfolio of upstream oil company, mobile offshore unit and renewable energy insurance programs. Radmil has spent 8 years handling complex energy claims in Gard prior to transitioning to underwriting.
Radmil was previously chair of YLECC and holds an LLM in Maritime Law from the University of Oslo.
Chris is a Director with Charles Taylor Adjusting in its Energy claims division where since early 2008 he has enjoyed working on a broad range of energy claims involving fixed and floating offshore facilities, including a number of high profile losses. Chris has an interest and expertise in the construction/conversion and operation of FPSOs. He began his career as a ship surveyor with Classification Society Lloyd’s Register, following a short period with oil company Amerada Hess as part of a team delivering the conversion of the FPSO Triton. Having gained considerable experience with ship construction and marine engineering practices, he eventually transferred to Lloyd’s Register’s Research and Development Department where he worked on the development of technical standards and marine rules for engineering systems. Chris is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers, and also a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Chris has been a member of the Lillehammer Conference Organising Committee since 2014.
Rosalia started her insurance career in 2003 at Xchanging Claims Services, dealing with Offshore Claims. In 2007 she joined Marsh as a Client Executive, being the client focal point for major Oil and Gas clients and participating in tenders, programme structure, marketing and day to servicing. During this time Rosalia was seconded twice to the organisation of Maersk Oil and Gas in Copenhagen, assisting with insurance and claims management.
In 2012, Rosalia joined DONG Energy as Risk Manager, in charge of risk and insurance for DONG E&P/INEOS Oil & Gas for all operational and construction activities in Denmark, Norway and the UK. Her responsibilities included insurance and claims management, contract risk management in respect of liability, indemnity and insurance, commercial agreements, partner relations and stakeholder management (Insurers, Brokers, Loss Adjusters, Government Entities, Lawyers).
Rosalia recently moved to Cubico Sustainable Investments as Global Risk & Insurance Manager, responsible for Cubico’s worldwide assets.
She holds a Masters in International Logistics.
Spencer is a Director of Lloyd Warwick International, based in London. He is a Chartered Engineer and also holds a Master’s degree in Insurance and Risk Management. Having over 23 years international engineering, power, marine and energy experience, Spencer has been involved with many large losses.
Throughout his career Spencer has handled a wide variety of claims, including up/downstream energy, petrochemical, heavy engineering, pressure vessels, power production, offshore energy sectors including MOUs, FPSOs and drilling systems, machinery systems, specialist subsea equipment, shipping, yachts, ports and terminals, ship repairer’s liability and renewable energy.
Initially working for Lloyd’s Register of Shipping Classification Society Spencer spent several years working overseas carrying out hull and machinery, offshore fabrications, vessel in-service and new construction surveys, and worked in London and Copenhagen carrying out structural engineering design work.
From 2001 he joined a specialist international loss adjusting firm and has been involved with complex insurance claims, technical surveys, forensic engineering and root cause investigations. Spencer has also provided litigation support and expert related work in UK, Europe, USA and South Asia. He has lectured on marine and energy subjects including FLNG, FPSOs, MOUs, subsea equipment and claims handling around the world. In 2015 he became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.
Teresa is a Senior Claims Executive working with the Offshore Energy claims team at Gard since 2020. Prior to this, she has been handling Shipowner’s and Charterer’s P&I claims in addition to being an internal specialist in dry bulk cargoes. Teresa holds bachelor's degrees from the University of Houston, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Law from London Metropolitan University.
Gaute Gjelsten has 25 years of experience specialising in international shipping and offshore law, including marine and energy, insurance law. Gjelsten has extensive experience in handling significant claims arising out of marine and offshore casualties, including i.a. groundings, fires, wreck removals, collisions, salvage, clean-up operations regarding oil spill/other pollutions, limitation of liability and limitation fund proceedings. He has acted for insurers and owners against the Norwegian State in the majority of the significant recourse claims made in Norway, and handles jurisdiction and conflict of laws disputes.
Gaute is a leading lawyer in the energy insurance sector and he regularly advises on substantial losses under construction and operational policies, all-risks covers, reinsurance and general coverage disputes. He advises London and international insurers in complex on-shore and offshore claims in these sectors. He has further experience from handling claims under hull and machinery covers, mortgagee's interest, war, loss of hire, cargo, charterers' liability, general liability and protection and indemnity (P&I) policies for Nordic and international insurers.
He has extensive litigation experience before the Norwegian courts and in arbitration proceedings.
Gaute is recognized as a market leading Norwegian offshore and shipping lawyer and is top ranked in Legal 500 ("Recommended Individual") and Chambers and Partners (ranked in Band 1).
Simon has extensive experience in energy and marine insurance disputes, and his practice also includes a deep experience of construction all-risks, professional indemnity, reinsurance, political risks and general coverage disputes. He regularly advises London and international insurers in relation to complex claims in the energy insurance sector, and assists with the drafting of policy wordings. Simon is also part of Clyde & Co’s oil & gas team. Simon is recognised by Legal 500 as a leading individual for insurance and reinsurance litigation.
Allan became an adjuster in Singapore in 2009 where he worked on offshore construction and operational losses involving platforms, pipelines, subsea equipment, mooring systems and a jack-up drilling unit in India, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei and China. Allan transferred to London in 2012 and has handled a number of significant offshore construction, operational, LOPI and liability losses. He is now Managing Director of the Europe Adjusting team.
Alex is a partner in the insurance and reinsurance disputes group in the London office of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP with a focus on acting for corporate policyholders. Alex specialises in all aspects of insurance claims and associated coverage advice in the energy insurance sector and has represented owners and contractors on major construction and operational losses, both onshore and offshore. He also handles a broad range of commercial disputes. Alex leads the ADR practice within the firm’s disputes division and is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He is a solicitor advocate (Higher Courts Civil Proceedings).
Jason leads the Marine & Energy claim teams at Miller. Over his career Jason has successfully handled some of the insurance markets largest energy claims and has experienced most types of losses that the energy industry can produce.
Jason is a member of the energy senior management team and a member of marine claims sub-committee at the London and International Insurance Brokers Association (LIIBA).
Away from work, Jason is a keen runner and is a member of the Lloyd’s running club.
Rodney acquired a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1997. He spent the next several years with an international oilfield service provider working as a Trainee Engineer and Field Representative in drilling and production operations in Dubai and Venezuela.
Thereafter, Rodney started his career as a licensed insurance loss adjuster specializing in claims unique to the oil and gas industry and has worked for various energy loss adjusting firms throughout the years primarily in Houston, Texas, with one posting in London, England. His claims experience includes control of well, rig physical damage, downhole tools, pollution remediation, processing plants and refineries, general liability, pipelines, and business interruption/loss of production income.
The claims Rodney has been involved with span the globe and range in quantum from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. Rodney has also spoken at various seminars and training courses and routinely given presentations about industry trends.
Teresa is a Senior Claims Executive working with the Offshore Energy claims team at Gard since 2020. Prior to this, she has been handling Shipowner’s and Charterer’s P&I claims in addition to being an internal specialist in dry bulk cargoes. Teresa holds bachelor's degrees from the University of Houston, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Law from London Metropolitan University.
Tom is a Senior Loss Adjuster at MatthewsDaniel’s London Office. Prior to joining MatthewsDaniel, Tom graduated with an LLB (Hons) in Law and a BSc (Hons) in Exploration and Resource Geology and worked for Baker Hughes as a Data Engineer. During his time offshore he was responsible for the monitoring and interpretation of well conditions; drilling and engineering parameters; the evaluation of geological and hydrocarbon samples and data acquisition. He predominantly worked in the complex, deepwater oil and gas fields west of the Shetland Isles in the North Atlantic. He joined MatthewsDaniel in 2016 as an energy loss adjuster and has been involved in the handling and management of a myriad of upstream and downstream insurance claims worldwide, with recent experience in subsea production systems, cables and a high-profile pipeline claim.
Leah advises insurers and reinsurers on coverage, disputes and subrogation relating to onshore and offshore energy claims (including renewables) as well as construction claims, mining losses, and excess casualty claims. Leah has advised on domestic and multi-jurisdictional matters and has experience with claims in various jurisdictions including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the USA and Asia.
Leah spent 18 months in-house as associate general counsel with AXA XL assisting with disputes and advising on coverage issues including in the energy and construction sectors.
His practice encompasses alternative dispute resolution, proceedings before ordinary courts, and arbitrations. In recent years, such cases have included marine (H&M, P&I), war risks and energy insurance cases, cargo claims and marine casualties, as well as final settlements of construction projects.
Additionally, Henrik provides regular advice to clients on insurance claims and coverage issues.
Matthew graduated with a First-Class Honours master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nottingham and holds both Dip-CILA and Dip-CII qualifications. Matthew started his loss adjusting career in 2017 and has experience handling complex energy claims worldwide, with recent experience involving upstream, renewables, and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Emily joined Aon in 2021 and is now a Claims Advocate responsible for handling a variety of Natural Resources losses globally, ranging from Upstream, Downstream and offshore construction for Power, Oil and Gas, and Renewables. During this time, Emily has been involved with the development of new projects, such as carbon capture and has won the Young Energy Broker of the Year Award in 2022 at the Lloyds Marine & Energy U35’s Summer Awards. Emily has also completed her ACII and has been helping with the development of others towards their CII qualifications and on the job training.
Emily became a member of the Lillehammer Energy Claims Primer Committee in 2024.