Kaase – Kaase

About Me

Hello! I’m Kaase Gbakon.

I am a seasoned business professional with a passion and experience in deploying advanced analytics for data-driven strategy development and business opportunity framing.

My clients know they can trust my advice because it is established by coupling my technical and business domain knowledge to produce best-in-class analytic insights and value-accretive commercial intelligence. As a result, I have received recognition as a five-time CEO award recipient for my roles in projects with a combined value of more than $1 billion.

I regularly speak at international conferences and have authored several papers which are listed on some of the most comprehensive database resources on oil and gas and energy analytics. I have also developed and taught courses in project economics, risk modeling, and business analytics to 400+ persons.

I am in the final stages of my interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Petroleum Economics, Management, and Policy, focusing on Energy Systems Modeling. I have previously obtained three different Master's degrees and a Bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

My Expertise

IT / Analytics Consultancy

Project Economic Modeling

Asset Valuation | Investment Appraisal | Risk Modeling | Cost Estimation

Training and Workshops

Project Economic Modeling | Data Analysis in Excel | Communicating with Data | Financial Analytics

Testimonials

Kaase’s analytical prowess and very insightful perspective to very complex issues set him apart. Working with him is a delight. His support and invaluable contributions to our many success stories is most appreciated.

Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan

Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, NNPC

I worked with Kaase and was impressed by the commercial acumen and can-do attitude that he brought to those complex commercial negotiations as well as the approachable and respectable way he worked with stakeholders.

Yischai Beinisch

Head, West Africa – Emerging Market Power, Global Renewable Solutions, Shell Africa

Kaase is among the most intellectually capable and dedicated individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. He is a gifted problem-solver and strategic thinker, with a unique ability to analyze complex information and distill it into actionable insights. He is also an excellent communicator, able to clearly articulate ideas and persuade others to see things from a different perspective.

Chinnan Dikwal, Ph. D

Vice Chair, Board of Directors, African Energy Council

Kaase possesses a unique combination of technical expertise and business acumen that allowed him to make valuable contributions to our projects. He is exceptional with analysis of complex data sets, identification of key trends and insights, and providing actionable recommendations to different business units. His knowledge of the petroleum industry, combined with his strong economics and data analytics background, were particularly valuable in our strategic planning efforts.

Chinyere Obi

Manager, Efficiency and Data Management

I worked with Kaase as a Commercial Analyst. He was the go-to person when it came to analytics. He had a way with data analysis and various reporting tools. As a commercial analyst, his insights led to the company's significant value creation. Kaase has good presentation skills and delivered various strategy papers to the board and senior management. Always ready to take up a challenge and deliver on time, Kaase is an amazing team player. He has demonstrated leadership capacity on various assignments he led, combining his background in engineering and commercial sense to ensure value optimization. I highly recommend him.

Chinedu Igwe

Manager, Commercial Negotiations

I've worked with Kaase across several projects and I have found him to be the man you consistently want on your team. His depth of expertise is uncommon, with all the details you need to get the deal going at his finger tips. I think of him as the man who has all the data analysis to determine where the project should be swinging. With all of my midstream projects, if Kaase is on it, that's all the expertise that I need! I can't recommend him enough.

Latifat Folashade Yusuff

Manager, Commercial Law

I had the privilege of being coached by Kaase between 2019 to 2021. I still consult him on a wide range of areas including financial modelling, project evaluation & economics, commercial negotiations, strategy development and financing-related discussions. Kaase's personality and work ethics inspire. His ability to simplify complex issues and easily chart a win-win course through difficult negotiations is exemplary. His empathy mixed with a good sense of humour makes it easy to have very open conversations with and learn from him.

Onyedikachi Kalu

Commercial Analyst

Kaase is a natural leader, a teacher and a mentor who inspires me to be more daring with my career choices. Among his many outstanding qualities, I took great pleasure in his ability to show genuine empathy at work. His analytical skills are also top-notch as he has a strong ability to quickly grasp abstract concepts and techniques, then transfer the knowledge with ease and simplicity. He has what it takes to make a unique and significant difference on whatever project he’s on

Chidimma Vivian Alozie

Planning and Economics Analyst

Kaase is a phenomenal individual to have in your team. He mentored me when I began my baby steps as a corporate strategist in the energy industry. His inputs have helped me to this day. I would recommend Kaase anytime if you are seeking a serious business strategist to join your team.

Daniel Adigun

Software Engineer, Redgate Software

I have known Kaase for over 10 years, in which time I have worked closely with him on tasks involving financial analysis, energy research, business model development, commercial negotiation, economic modelling, policy formulation and review, and knowledge sharing. Kaase's class is rare as one isn't likely to meet someone with the duality of Kaase's level of expertise and empathy. His willingness to help colleagues, aid superiors and enable juniors is remarkable. He is easily the go-to person if you need to work on something new, complex or urgent. You are sure to benefit from his capacity for original thinking, clarity of communication of ideas as well as expeditious delivery of such tasks. I wouldn't hesitate to give Kaase 5/5.

Olawale Jenkins Lawal

Business Advisor to the Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, NNPC

I worked with Kaase and his work ethic, knowledge of the job, commitment and attention to detail were second to none. He is solution oriented, with strong analytical skills. These skills coupled with his persona endeared him to everyone particularly the younger members of the team whom he was dedicated to coaching. He was a key resource person with a lot of experience in evaluating projects, businesses and opportunities across the oil and gas value chain, including some non-core business interests. I am available to be contacted, should there be any specific area concerning his skills and experience, that require further details.

Sotonye Pinnick

Manager Business Viability and Economics

Kaase is one in a million…I daresay he’s one of the most consistent persons I’ve ever met. He demonstrates not just deep understanding of the theory; more importantly exhibits worthy character with grit, openness and a corrigible demeanour. He has a keen attention for details and his passion for statistical modeling can’t be understated. It is a unique pleasure to have co-written a number of technical papers with him. Kaase continues to pivot and leaves an indelible mark on each role he’s taken up. I unreservedly recommend him.

Olalekan Abiola

Business Advisor

I’ve worked with many professionals in my career, but Kaase is someone for whom I will always have great admiration and respect. Our career paths first crossed in 2013 when I worked alongside him on several big projects. He consistently gave more than was required and was a significant actor in ensuring that we executed major deals with the best possible commercial outcome. His pragmatic contributions to the projects he worked on, have led to their successful operationalization and tremendous value add to the organization and the country. Kaase’s always willing to lend a helping hand and his ability to work under extreme pressure with a smile also makes him exceptional. I’ve learnt a lot from him and continue to be greatly inspired by his personality and dedication to duty. Any team would be lucky to have Kaase, and I recommend him more for any business looking for new talent

Tolulope Ibikunle

Head PSC Strategy and Business Development, NAPIMS

I have had the opportunity of working with Kaase for over a 10 years. Kaase has proven himself to be a valuable asset and has made numerous contributions to NNPC Limited. One of his most beneficial contributions was when we worked in the team that successfully negotiated a high stakes Gas Sales Agreement (GSA) to NLNG. Kaase developed and presented the economic model and statistical analysis that led to that success. Kaase also developed numerous data products on various NNPCL oil and gas projects that enabled shareholders make informed investment decisions. Kaase actively contributed to continous improvements with his vast industry knowledge, dedication, expertise, doggedness and dexterity in business strategy and commercial negotiation

Jack Eteyen

Project Engineer, NLNG

Fun Facts

Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom is a favorite show

15 Awards Won

1 000 Cups Of Coffee

90,000 km travelled in 2019

Resume

Experience

2021- Present

Senior Forestry Analyst (Economist)

Ministry of Energy and Resources

Provide forestry-related data analytics, revenue forecasts using statistical models, monitor and analyze forest products markets. Develop and maintain a suite of data products to provide data-driven recommendations.

2020 - 2021

Commercial Lead

ANOH Gas Processing Company

Develop data driven and evidence-guided advisory support and market intelligence to the C-suite on critical commercialization requirements.

2021 - 2021

Deputy Manager, Assets Evaluation & Economics

Corporate Planning & Strategy

Provide modeling expertise in developing long-term corporate strategy. Combine data analytics and domain knowledge for business development, complex corporate strategy problems, new opportunities evaluation, and business process assessments

2013 - 2020

Senior Commercial Analyst

Corporate Planning & Strategy

Developed and managed a library of project economics and financial models for asset portfolio valuation. Render analytics guidance to teams negotiating value-maximizing business opportunities.

Education