About

With 25 years of experience as a lawyer, contract specialist and negotiator in the international energy sector, Marina Paradela is a leading expert in the industry. Before joining CEPSA in 2001, Paradela worked as legal counsel for the global energy company Repsol in the Buenos Aires and Madrid offices. In 2014 she was appointed commercial manager, consolidating her legal experience into a growing responsibility in commercial aspects of the business. One of her defining tasks during her time in CEPSA was the creation of the legal department for the exploration and production unit. She organised and developed its structure based on the principle of internationalisation, in order to support the needs of the growing oil and gas business of the company worldwide. She currently leads a 15-strong legal team in Madrid and Bogota and she aspires to build an equally qualified team at her new post as commercial manager for new business. Her contribution to the consolidation of CEPSA both in traditional and new markets has been paramount. Paradela led the legal team in the acquisition of the Caracara field in 2008-2009, which made CEPSA one of the main oil and gas producers in Colombia. ‘In 2011, I personally conducted the negotiations, leading a multidisciplinary team, for the acquisition of shares in the OCENSA pipeline and its subsequent transformation from cost centre to profit centre structure, a deal that definitely consolidated the position of CEPSA as a key player in Colombia’ she adds. Speaking about her recent shift to a more commercial and business oriented-position she admits that it is a personal and professional challenge. ‘My ambition is to develop a new path that integrates my expertise in legal and contracts with an expansion into aspects of economic evaluation, finance, fiscal systems for the oil industry and business development’ she concludes.