WHB Energy Research LLC

The President of WHB Energy Research LLC, established in 1992, is William H. Brown III,  providing international oil and gas market analysis and hedging advice to a variety of small independent oil and gas companies, financial institutions, and hedge funds.  Currently developing and implementing neural network forecasting models to integrate with existing fundamentally-based econometric and engineering models.  Established, managed, was the sole decision maker and the sole general partner of a hedge fund financed by a well-known hedge fund manager for two years.  Worked with broker’s quantitative staff to develop expert-based and neural network oil trading systems. Lecturer, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.

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Previous Experience and Background

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1991-1994: One of two founding shareholders of E.T. Petroleum, Inc. (ET), an international crude oil and refined products trading and consulting firm, with the other shareholder a former senior Saudi Aramco executive.  While at ET, established W.H. Brown & Co., Inc, the predecessor company to WHB Energy Research LLC.  At ET, gained experience in international physical oil trading, including tanker chartering, financing and operations, and hedging strategies.

 

1982-1991: International oil analyst and petroleum economist for Kidder, Peabody & Co., Incorporated, a New York-based investment banking and brokerage firm.  Directed all fundamental research related to the international petroleum industry.  The equity analyst for the international and domestic integrated oil companies and served as the analyst for the Kidder Energy Futures Group.  Worked closely with the Kidder corporate finance group on deals and equity offerings including, but not limited to, Occidental Petroleum Corp. and BP, plc.  Served for five years as Special Consultant to the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), providing global oil market and crude oil pricing analyses for the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and senior Saudi Aramco management.  Was the only outsider allowed to attend a Saudi Aramco board meeting.

 

1980-1982: Director, Chase Econometrics, Energy Service, establishing and managing the forecasting and consulting service.  Clients included public utilities, and both energy consuming and producing companies.  Con­sult­ing activity included short and intermediate-term forecasting of energy prices, custom development of econometric/engineering models of energy demand and supply, including a drilling model for a tubular steel company, and expert witness testimony before government agencies.

 

1975-1980:  Senior economist with Walter J. Levy Consultants, the New York-based petroleum consulting firm. Prepared several U.S. Cabinet-level studies on United States energy policy, and was a consultant both to the State of Alaska and to Pertamina, the Indonesian state oil company, on their respective petroleum fiscal regimes.

 

Education: B.A. history, Brown University, 1973; M.A. international economics, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, 1975, including curriculum from the Columbia University Schools of Law, Business, and Journalism.  Editor, Journal of International Affairs.