Project Principal · Fractional CPO · Houston, TX

The Bridge Between
Capital and Commissioning.

Providing Tier-1 EPC Governance, Project Origination, and Capital Structuring for $1B+ Energy Infrastructure.

View benchmarks
25+
Years across North Sea, US, Asia & West Africa
$7.5B+
Capital value across recent project benchmarks
3
Engagement models — origination to recovery

The problem I solve

The Value Gap

Most large infrastructure projects are lost long before construction begins. The investment thesis is sound. The team is capable. But the gap between a deal and a bankable EPC contract is where equity goes to die.

I bridge that gap by architecting the commercial and financial foundations of the project. I integrate capital structuring with execution governance — ensuring the asset is bankable from day one and remains insulated from the commercial risks that derail deals.
Industrial pipeline cross-section, looking through toward light — a metaphor for clarity through complexity

About the Principal

Mark Adshead is the founder of Aria South and a senior commercial and project executive with more than 25 years of experience in energy and infrastructure.

He works with investors, developers, and project sponsors to structure and govern complex projects so that they are both financeable and executable. His focus is on the point where investment strategy meets delivery reality: SPV structuring, project finance, EPC/EPCIC commercial strategy, contract negotiation, stage-gate assurance, risk mitigation and execution management.

Mark has led and advised major developments with total installed values exceeding $4 billion, including oil and gas, renewables, marine infrastructure, digital infrastructure and other capital-intensive assets. His background combines a technical background with senior commercial leadership, giving clients a practical perspective on how to protect value from early development through project execution.

The three pillars

What We Deliver

01 / Project Assurance
Project Assurance & Management

Strategic Project/Program Execution Management, Stage-Gate audits, and forensic recovery for stalled or over-budget assets.

02 / Commercial Strategy
Commercial Strategy

EPC/EPCIC contract architecture, risk allocation, and high-stakes subcontract negotiations that protect your capital position at every stage — including Claims Defense & Avoidance to eliminate the disputes that destroy project margins.

03 / Development & Finance
Development & Finance

Project origination, SPV structuring, SBLC-backed financing, and path-to-financial-close advisory — from concept to bankable project.

Selected experience

Global Benchmarks

A track record of multi-billion dollar asset delivery — bridging the gap between project finance, commercial architecture, and EPC execution across the global energy sector.

North Dragon offshore drilling rig at night in harbour
$2B
Leviathan FPSO
Commercial Strategy

Strategic contracting and commercial governance for one of the largest offshore developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

$1.5B
European Projects
Development & Finance

Full-lifecycle origination and execution delivery — from concept through SPV structuring, SBLC-backed financing, and EPC close.

$4B
African Portfolio
Project Assurance

Multi-asset project services and JV coordination across a major African development portfolio spanning upstream and infrastructure.

$1.5B
Murphy Oil
Commercial Strategy

Commercial accountability and logistics management for major developments, ensuring stage-gate discipline and contractor performance.

Who I work with

The ideal partner

Private Equity
PE Firms & Operating Partners

Fractional CPO oversight for mid-market portfolio companies — bringing Tier-1 project governance to assets that require executive execution without the full-time overhead.

Asset Developers
Infrastructure & Energy Developers

Bridging the gap between concept and financial close — architecting the SPV, securing project finance, and delivering a bankable EPC framework.

Institutional Investors
Institutional Capital & Family Offices

Independent Owner’s Representation to protect capital IRR — providing rigorous stage-gate oversight and commercial accountability across the project lifecycle.

Let’s connect to find the commercial and execution solutions that bridge the gap between intent and reality.

Arrange a Conversation