Advisory Board
Dr. Thomas Schaffers
Energy, Trading & Chemicals Advisor
About Thomas
Advisor to investors, boards, and companies on unlocking value across energy, trading, chemicals, and industrial assets — typically through commercial optimisation, trading integration, LNG and gas strategy, supply chain improvement, and transaction support.
Nearly 30 years of experience across refining, trading, chemicals, and energy infrastructure in Europe and the Middle East, combining deep operational understanding with execution in complex industrial environments. Proven track record delivering large-scale financial impact, including optimisation improvements exceeding $1bn annually and leading ~$1bn in M&A and portfolio transactions.
Works hands-on with clients to identify margin leakage, improve commercial performance, strengthen trading and optimisation capabilities, and structure high-value transactions and partnerships. Combines industrial experience with data-driven analysis and scalable modelling approaches to translate opportunities into actionable value creation programs.
Highly experienced in structuring and negotiating complex agreements across industrial, financial, and governmental stakeholders.
Area of Expertise
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Commercial Optimisation & Value Creation
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Trading & Commercial Strategy
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Refining, Chemicals & Downstream Value Chains
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LNG & Gas Strategy
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Energy Infrastructure & Industrial Systems
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M&A, Transactions & Due Diligence
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Joint Ventures & Complex Deal Structuring
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Supply Chain & Working Capital Optimisation
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Power & Gas Markets
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Complex Negotiations
Professional Experience
Bapco Energies
Group Chief Commercial Officer
2023 - 2025
Led global commercial and trading strategy across refining and infrastructure investments. Defined LNG commercial strategy and drove value creation initiatives, M&A transactions, and partnership structuring across complex industrial systems.
Rosneft Germany
Director Strategy & Business Development
2021 - 2023
Led portfolio development, M&A, trading, and commercial optimisation across refining and supply systems, with a focus on performance improvement and value creation.
ADNOC
Manager LP & Refinery Optimisation
2019 - 2021
Delivered large-scale optimisation improvements through integrated modelling and performance enhancement across downstream operations.
Shell
Senior Commercial Roles
1995 - 2018
Held multiple senior roles across refinery, trading, chemicals, and commercial environments, focusing on optimisation, supply, trading interfaces, and major industrial energy contracts.
Education
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PhD in Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum
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Executive Education, IMD Lausanne, University of St. Gallen
Area of Expertise
-
Commercial Optimisation & Value Creation
-
Trading & Commercial Strategy
-
Refining, Chemicals & Downstream Value Chains
-
LNG & Gas Strategy
-
Energy Infrastructure & Industrial Systems
-
M&A, Transactions & Due Diligence
-
Joint Ventures & Complex Deal Structuring
-
Supply Chain & Working Capital Optimisation
-
Power & Gas Markets
-
Complex Negotiations
Education
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PhD in Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum
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Executive Education, IMD Lausanne, University of St. Gallen