BWE building on history in the North Sea
The name Blue Water Energy (BWE) may be new, but the faces are familiar
BWE is a London-based, energy focused private equity (PE) firm. It has invested in UK continental shelf (UKCS) producer Siccar Point Energy and Norway's Mime Petroleum, both alongside fellow PE investor Blackstone, and the Norwegian continental shelf focused Wellesley Petroleum. Graeme Sword—a BWE founder partner and formerly head of oil and gas at PE firm 3i, which was active in North Sea E&P throughout the 2000s—recently spoke to Petroleum Economist editor-in-chief Peter Ramsay. PR: Is it fair to say the private equity (PE) investment has received something of an at least, cautious, if not bad press? And that even the term "PE in the North Sea" belies differences in approach? GS: I ag
Also in this section
19 January 2026
Newfound optimism is emerging that a dormant exploration frontier could become a strategic energy play and—whisper it quietly—Europe’s next offshore opportunity
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
16 January 2026
The global maritime oil transport sector enters 2026 facing a rare convergence of crude oversupply, record newbuild deliveries and the potential easing of several geopolitical disruptions that have shaped trade flows since 2022
15 January 2026
Rebuilding industry, energy dominance and lower energy costs are key goals that remain at odds in 2026






