The Company

Hansa Hydrocarbons was formed in late 2007 by the three founding partners who had previously worked together on new business development projects with Enterprise Oil Ltd, in particular the successful Bijupira & Salema project in the Campos Basin, Brazil.  At the time of its acquisition by Royal Dutch Shell in 2002, Enterprise Oil was UK’s leading oil and gas independent.

After pursuing different interests in the international oil and gas sector since Enterprise Oil, the three partners met in 2007 and shared the conviction that there remained a significant market opportunity to grow a material high-value gas business from commercialising existing undeveloped discoveries across Europe, where the commercial and political climate was increasingly favourable for the exploitation of indigenous gas.  After completing the necessary research and analysis, a robust business plan was developed which had a clear focus on the Permian Basin, ignoring political boundaries. 

In early 2008, the management team began evaluating opportunities in parallel with meeting potential investors.  Avista Capital Partners, who were already familiar with the transitioning European market, were identified and the parties entered an agreement in principal in April 2008 for a funding commitment of US$100 million.  

Origins of the Name

The Hanseatic League

The name Hansa Hydrocarbons is derived from a powerful confederation of trading guilds (Hanse) which came together in the middle of the 13th century to form the Hanseatic League in order to jointly pursue their economic interests across Northern Europe.  In the course of time 70 major cities and 130 smaller towns joined the League, which covered an area from the eastern coast of the Britain to the Baltic states and from southern Scandinavia to northern Belgium.  The Hanseatic League's influence stretched far beyond these boundaries, and it maintained large depots and smaller trading posts from Portugal to Russia and from Scandinavia to Italy. The Hanseatic League had a significant say in business, trade and politics in northern Europe for over 400 years, until it declined in the mid-17th century.  The Hansa merchants were successful through establishing strong and equitable partnerships and negotiating favourable terms with political authorities. 

With a similar geographic footprint and its focus on profit, pragmatism and trust, the association with the Hansa is appropriate as the Company builds its business across the region in today’s market.