Consulting Case Studies
Our expert consultants work with clients to understand their challenges & develop a tailored solution that’s right for their business. Client Case Studies
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<strong><span style="color: #d6002a;"\Client Case Studies </span></strong></p> See how we've helped our customers
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Unique challenges require a custom-built solution. See how our expert consultants are helping clients across the energy value chain.
10 Featured Client Case Studies
Our expert consultants work with clients to understand their challenges and develop a tailored solution that’s right for their business.
Click below to explore featured projects.
European Gas Market Entry Strategy
for an Asian LNG Player
SITUATION:
A significant emerging LNG market participant in Asia wanted a consultant to lead them in a structured process of developing a strategy to build a significant position in the European LNG and gas market over a 10-year period.
OUR APPROACH:
Along with a comprehensive overview and forecasts of gas supply, demand, and pricing, Our consultants gave detailed information on all European LNG regasification terminals with respect to ownership, access rights, and costs. The analysis, delivered in two reports and two workshops, addressed the legal, regulatory, and operational requirements of entering the European market.
The client was advised on the benefits and risks of five potential strategic approaches that we defined, ranging from DES sale at the point of regasification to the development of a full integrated position with downstream acquisitions. Potential partners were screened and ranked. The project also included an analysis of various regional and country-level markets in Europe for ease of access and attractiveness.
IMPACT:
The client’s deeper understanding of the landscape in the European LNG and energy sector—and the complications of entering from outside—led it to adopt a more conservative approach, which it is now implementing.
Commercial Advisor for the Acquisition of a Significant Equity Stake
in a major European gas and power company
SITUATION:
Our consulting division was retained as commercial advisor to the client in support of the potential acquisition of a significant stake in a major European gas and power company
OUR APPROACH:
We provided the client with an analysis that included a detailed assessment of the gas supply and demand balance in the target’s domestic market through 2025 and the company’s international LNG trading and marketing activities.
Our consultants duplicated the historical EBITDA for the company’s domestic market and international gas business and provided a forecast of future EBITDA.
IMPACT:
Our client successfully acquired a significant interest in the target company in a multi-billion Euro deal.
Assessing the opportunity for hydrogen production and logistics
in the United States
SITUATION:
The client, a large U.S.-based distributor of petroleum products wanted to evaluate a potential acquisition target in the hydrogen production and logistics business in the US. As part of the due diligence process they wanted to understand the potential for hydrogen in U.S. markets and its relative competitiveness as a transportation fuel for heavy trucks and forklifts in the U.S.
OUR APPROACH:
We provided an outlook of hydrogen supply and logistics by production pathway (SMR, gasification, electrolysis, and bio-hydrogen) as well as an overview of the competitive and regulatory landscape. An in-depth economic analysis was conducted to better assess the competitiveness of hydrogen fuel as a means of transportation for heavy trucks and forklifts vs. substitutes (e.g. diesel, battery, biofuels, etc.).
IMPACT:
- The results of the study allowed the client to assess the Target opportunity and understand the market potential as it formulated its medium-to-long-term strategy in a low-carbon world
- The client ended up acquiring the target company and enter the hydrogen production space
We provided the client with a detailed analysis of the competitiveness of hydrogen in the U.S. heavy-vehicle market
Commercial diligence support on a Gigafactory
in the United States
SITUATION:
A provider of business-to-business financial solutions was evaluating an investment into the construction of a Gigafactory in the U.S. The client hired S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) to evaluate the potential of its investment into the target focusing on competitive positioning, benchmarking, and assessing the critical economic factors impacting the project as well as the risks and profitability of the factory.
OUR APPROACH:
SPGCI analyzed the value chain, battery market, cell technology, pricing scenarios, and raw materials supply.
SPGCI developed a cell, module, and pack cost analysis, by building out a bottom-up model of production costs.
SPGCI modeled module production costs for over 100 factories globally in Europe, Asia, and North America in years 2025 and 2030, providing a cost curve and relative profitability of the plants
In addition, we compared the factory’s financial assumptions and reviewed the target’s offtake and supply documentation to carry out a red flag analysis.
IMPACT:
Our recommendations enabled our client to –
- Evaluate the market potential and profitability of cell and module production in the U.S., compared to the global market price
- Identify the key risks associated with financing the factory buildout and reach a decision on investing in the Gigafactory
Emissions benchmark analysis
for a North American heavy oil refinery
SITUATION:
S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) conducted a study to benchmark a North American heavy oil refinery’s diesel fuel-related emissions across the supply chain compared to competing refineries.
OUR APPROACH:
The project team looked at emissions at the plant level for the client and individual competing refineries, and leveraged our existing yardstick refinery models. .
IMPACT:
The work has allowed the client to decide how to publicly position their emissions competitiveness.
Action plan for emission reduction in targeted value chain
Developed short-term action plans for upstream emission mitigation in selected regions
SITUATION:
A major oil & gas organization commissioned a cross-regional study to better understand the key drivers of oil and gas emissions in each region. The organization wanted to understand what potential short-term actions and technologies it should prioritize to rapidly reduce emissions from these sources
OUR APPROACH:
S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) developed high-level emission models for typical upstream developments in each region, the models allowed SPGCI to understand what the key sources of emissions are
Analyzed the key barriers to reducing emissions from each source and what level of effort is required to emissions
Identified technologies and tools that could accelerate mitigation and developed a roadmap to implementation with concrete and practical short-term local actions for each of the regions under consideration
IMPACT:
- The results of the study were presented via a series of deliverables with the organizations leadership team
- Deliverables provided a strategy roadmap to be pursued by the organization and its members to reduce emissions in the selected regions
Strategies & options to decarbonize operations
for a North American/European refiner
SITUATION:
Over the last few years, IHS Markit (now part of S&P Global Commodity Insights) has conducted a study with the CEO and his staff on strategies and options to decarbonize their refining operations in Europe and North America
OUR APPROACH:
The project team hosted a workshop covering topics, such as the renewed focus on energy security and its effect on policies and the pace of the energy transition; the impact of such changes on the downstream industry; and specific implications for the client. The client was able to engage in dialogue with thought leaders at IHS Markit who participated in-person as well as remotely.
IMPACT:
The study has resulted in the client evaluating specific options to de-fossilize their plants and production.
Strategy and market due diligence for a South American refiner
considering the addition of a renewable plant
SITUATION:
Working with the senior management of a South American refinery, IHS Markit (now part of S&P Global Commodity Insights) conducted a strategy and market due diligence for feedstock, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. The client was considering adding a renewable plant into their existing crude oil refinery.
OUR APPROACH:
The project team consisting of downstream oil and agriculture consulting experts provided a comprehensive report covering policy and regulatory frameworks, supply/demand as well as price and value outlooks for renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and their feedstocks in major biofuels markets.
IMPACT:
The study has resulted in the client presenting the case for the project to their owners and key stakeholders. The project is expected to be operational by 2024/2025.
Market due diligence study for a North American refinery
pursuing a renewable fuels project
SITUATION:
The client, a North American refiner, wanted S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) to conduct a market due diligence study of the global renewable biobased diesel markets in order to secure financing for a renewable fuels project.
OUR APPROACH:
The project team consisting of downstream oil and agriculture consulting experts provided a comprehensive report covering policy and regulatory frameworks, supply/demand balances for refined products, feedstocks, and biofuels, as well as their price and value outlooks. Drawing on this work, SPGCI provided an analysis of various implications for the renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and biodiesel to be produced by the client. These findings were delivered in both PowerPoint and verbal formats where the client was able to interact with the project team and gain further insights specific to their needs.
IMPACT:
Using our insights, the client was able to secure financing for their project.
Global Biofuels Producer Developing a Feedstock Procurement Strategy
SITUATION:
S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) client is a major global supplier of biofuels including and specifically low carbon renewable diesel. The market for these fuels is expanding rapidly, raising questions about feedstock availability, feedstock price, and the price relationship between low-carbon feedstocks and soybean oil. The client needed a five-year perspective on where feedstock markets were going and how to factor these perspectives into their strategy.
OUR APPROACH:
In the very short timeframe needed by the client, the project team provided a comprehensive report covering the pricing structure of the soybean oil (SBO) market and related low carbon feedstocks, did a price analysis of SBO and other feedstocks including identification of key drivers, provided baseline and scenarios based on alternative outlooks and described the alternative uses for the various feedstocks and how these uses might impact demand and availability. These findings were delivered in both PowerPoint and verbal formats where the client was able to interact with the project team and gain further insights specific to their needs.
IMPACT:
Using our insights, the client was able to map a strategy for expansion and development that took into account the risks but also the opportunities of what has become a volatile feedstock environment for biofuels producers.
