FOR a scholar-turned-man-ager such as Wang Zhen, striking a balance between operating a business and academic research can be a challenge. He was promoted in 2020 to chairman and president of CNOOC Energy Economics Institute, the think tank of China National Offshore Oil Corporation, where he leads a team of 130 researchers. Both business and academic research are valuable pursuits, Wang says, and the key to freeing up time for research without office management is to establish a clear schedule and set realistic expectations in each area, he tells Upstream. Wang, 53, finds his role at the institute is a route to developing a world-class "thought factory" that will play a critical role in shaping energy policy, regulatory frameworks, market trends and technology developments, not only for CNOOC but for global policymakers. Wang is motivated by an ambition to publish must-read annual research reports that provide comprehensive overviews of the global offshore energy landscapes, including data and analysis on production, consumption and trade.
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