Networking Opportunities
Speed Networking Event
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. • Tuesday, June 2 • Royal Sonesta Hotel
Face-to-face networking is a powerful & necessary tool for one’s career. Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned negotiator, AIEN understands the value that networking has in enhancing your career. The IES is the perfect forum to maximize your networking opportunities, especially through this structured and fast-paced event.
Speed networking is similar to speed dating, but in a business environment, where participants will have exposure to many people in a short amount of time. You will have the chance to meet with another fellow attendee in a one-on-one, five-minute information exchange, moving on to the next five-minute exchange with another attendee, and so on. The number of rounds you will go through will depend on the number of those who sign-up but you should expect to have between 6-10 one-on-one meetings. The event will conclude with a cocktail reception, allowing time for open, unstructured networking.
All Summit attendees are invited to participate in this not-to-be-missed event, no matter your registration type! In an effort to streamline the onsite registration process for participants, this year the event will be limited to 64 people and will be on a first-come, first-served basis with no pre-registration required.
Please click here to read more about what to expect during the event.
Welcome Reception
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. • Tuesday, June 2 • Napoleon House
Join us for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and an opportunity to connect with IES attendees. The reception is the perfect way to catch up with industry colleagues and create new business contacts the night before we start the conference, all while taking in sights and sounds of New Orleans.
Included in Full Delegate and Networking Only registrations. (Not included in Day Delegate registrations).
$200 Additional tickets | Dress code: business casual
Women in Energy Networking Breakfast
7:00 - 8:45 a.m. • Wednesday, June 3 • Royal Sonesta Hotel
Please join us for the 4th annual Women's Breakfast at the AIEN IES, hosted by the WNG!
This networking breakfast brings together women and allies from across the full energy value chain as a refreshing and engaging way to kick off IES.
Set against a backdrop of shifting global political and market dynamics, including evolving energy security priorities, regulatory change, and capital flows, the interactive and informal breakfast will encourage members to share experiences in how these forces are reshaping leadership pathways and creating new impactful opportunities in the energy industry. We will discuss and share ideas on how individuals and organizations can encourage and develop talents required to lead in an increasingly complex global environment.
Designed as an open and informal forum, this breakfast will provide a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, gain insights into opportunities and challenges of the current geopolitical environment for energy and leadership skills required to maneuver through difficult times, expand your network, and will set the tone for the conversations in the Summit.
Registration is open to all attendees and includes an energizing breakfast buffet, a commemorative gift and special badge recognition.
$60 ticket | Dress code: business casual
Lunches and Networking Breaks
Delegates are invited to join fellow attendees in the designated areas for lunches and coffee breaks. These scheduled networking times are ideal for idea sharing, meeting colleagues and making new contacts. Take part in networking time while enjoying a bite to eat at the conference breaks and luncheons taking place on Wednesday and Thursday.
Awards Celebration
7:00 - 11:00 p.m. • Wednesday, June 3 • Jaxson on the River
Join us as we honor outstanding members as well as recognize professionals and organizations for their outstanding achievements in the energy industry. The evening will include a full bar, gourmet food stations and moments of celebration for our award winners.
Don’t miss this spectacular evening of recognition, connection, and celebration with your peers!
Included in Full Delegate and Networking Only registrations. (Not included in Day Delegate registrations).
Can't make the full conference but would like to attend the Awards Celebration? Single dinner tickets may be purchased without attending the conference. Please email events@aien.org.
$350 Additional tickets | Dress code: celebratory attire
AIEN Awards
The objective of the annual AIEN Awards is to celebrate certain impactful industry achievements, underpinned by international energy negotiations and transactions that promote and embody the principles of AIEN in the energy industry.
Award Categories
Deal of the Year: This award recognizes an outstanding and noteworthy M&A transaction, occurring between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, and having been announced or made public.
Venture of the Year: This award recognizes a new and significant commercial partnership, joint venture, arrangement or initiative (other than an M&A deal), occurring between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, and having been announced or made public.
Discovery of the Year: This award will be given to a company who has made a highly significant oil or gas discovery, or an addition to discovered resources through exploration and appraisal activities, occurring between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, and having been announced or made public.
Energy Transition Initiative of the Year: This award recognizes those leading the way in reducing carbon impacts through technology and innovation or creating targets to manage performance and aligning with global energy transition commitments through programs launched between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign of the Year: This award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated positive influence on surrounding communities, promote teamwork toward sustainable, long-term impacts, and encourage active employee participation beyond financial contributions through programs launched between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
2025 Award Winners
Deal of the Year
ExxonMobil's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources
Venture of the Year
Scotland: Shell and Equinor’s UK North Sea oil and gas joint venture
Discovery of the Year
Kuwait: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's Al-Nokhatha field discovery
Energy Transition Initiative of the Year
Storegga, PETRONAS and ADNOC's joint study and development agreement for saline aquifers in the Penyu basin, Malaysia
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Campaign of the Year
TotalEnergies, bp, Shell, and Equinor's Investment in Affordable Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa and South/Southeast Asia
Award Methodology
Click here to view the full award methodology.
Timeline
January 13, 2026 – Call for award nominations open
March 13, 2026 – Call for award nominations closes
March 20, 2026 – Nominations are sorted and forwarded to the Awards Committee
April 14, 2026 – Finalists are announced
April 27, 2026 – Award winners are notified
Awards Committee
Chair: João Oliveira – bp
Luiz Aboim, Mayer Brown
Hermen Barradas, Chevron
Ramira Candeias, Chevron
Daria Okhotnikova, Shell
Jorge Valdizan, bp
Manuel Santos Vitor, Abreu Advogados