Mergers & Acquisitions: How Big is Too Big?

The show offers a constructive discussion of a hot-button topic with leading M&A experts. Sharp, witty and confident, the panelists bring knowledge and experience to a debate focusing on mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures within the world’s largest industry.

The program offers a lively discussion of magnificent value. Guests of the show, including Matthew Simmons of Simmons & Company International, Tom Fry of the National Ocean Industries Association, John Gibson of Paradigm, Neville Henry of Buccaneer Resources, David Johnson of Protiviti and John Olsen of Sanders, Morris, Harris speak their minds on whether continued consolidation is developmentally good for the industry and engage in a full-throttle debate regarding the most critical elements of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

"These are crazy days," says Tom Fry. While mergers and acquisitions are inevitable, notes Matt Simmons, "size doesn’t have anything to do with quality." Here’s some evidence: Of the 2,600-plus mergers and acquisitions in the industry between the years 1991 and 2000, the three largest super majors rank toward the bottom of the list of top 20 producers. In light of such facts, CEOs reveal what drives mergers. They present personal experiences with consolidating components such as the value of reserves, energy policies, shareholders, human resources and culture clash. The show concludes with each panelist offering a prophetic look at international acquisitions.