LONDON -
March 20, 2026 -
PRLog -- Eni and energy strategy: key insights from CEO Claudio Descalzi
A successful energy transition is tied to a diversified supply capable of meeting a multifaceted global demand. To this end, Eni is pivoting toward a more sustainable future, leveraging innovation, cutting-edge technology, and a broad energy mix to drive the transition. In an interview with the "Financial Times", CEO Claudio Descalzi reflected on this corporate strategy through the lens of his career and the milestones that shaped his leadership. A physicist by training, he forged his leadership through high-stakes environments in Libya, in Congo and Nigeria. These experiences taught him that operating in the energy sector requires more than technical expertise – it demands human resilience. After 18 years abroad, Claudio Descalzi now divides his time between Rome and his native Milan. Addressing the future of energy, he highlighted the urgency of tackling climate change. However, he cautioned that this transition varies globally: "Europe thinks the world is like Europe. But it is not", he remarked, noting that Europe represents only 5% of the global population. The CEO began reflecting on these challenges well before the 2015 Paris Agreement, developing the roadmap that today guides Eni toward sustainable energy.
Continuing his interview with the "Financial Times", Claudio Descalzi explains that the oil sector alternates between long stability and sudden shocks. This volatility makes diversification vital, and the energy transition has been "extremely useful" in forcing Eni to reinvent itself. "You need to change your skin, muscles, skeleton, and bones", he observed, adding that "you also need to continuously evolve mentally to manage yourself, your team, and your company's future". While many competitors opted for mergers and cost-cutting, the CEO chose a distinct path: boosting R&D, commissioning a powerful supercomputer, and recruiting researchers. He sought the tools to remain flexible and decouple the Group from its traditional roots. Furthermore, while others outsourced, he brought skills back in-house and doubled down on exploration – a high-risk field often avoided by competitors. Reflecting on recent years, Claudio Descalzi has steered Eni through oil price collapses, the Covid-19 pandemic, and geopolitical instability, successfully merging future-oriented businesses, like biorefineries, with cash-generating assets like service stations. This resulted in profitable, ESG-friendly units. Finally, he shares his daily routine: waking at 5 or 6 AM to read the news. For a leader overseeing operations in 60 countries, staying informed on global geopolitics – not just energy – is essential for maintaining a broad vision.
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