INPEX Corporation announced a key personnel change at the Fellow level on January 21, 2026, indicating strategic shifts within its leadership structure.
Hiroshi Hagiwara, previously serving as Fellow and Vice President, Europe & Middle East Projects, along with his roles as President Director Abu Dhabi and Director of Japan Oil Development Company (JODCO) (Abu Dhabi), will transition to a new position.
Effective February 1, 2026, Hagiwara will assume the role of Fellow and Vice President, Technical Headquarters.
This move repositions his expertise from regional project oversight to core technical operations.
Hagiwara’s prior responsibilities centred on INPEX’s critical operations in the Europe & Middle East Projects division, including leadership in Abu Dhabi-based initiatives through Japan Oil Development Co. (JODCO).
Hiroshi Hagiwara advanced through key technical roles at INPEX Corporation and affiliates, serving as Coordinator and Senior Geophysicist starting from 1991.
From 2011 to 2017, he held positions at ADNOC affiliates, including Chief Technical Representative and General Manager of the Renewable Energy & Power Business Unit.
Since 2018, he has overseen critical operations at INPEX in Abu Dhabi as President Director and Fellow/Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Project Division, while championing decarbonisation efforts discussed at events like ADIPEC 2024.
These include advancing the Ichthys LNG CO2 injection project in Australia and integrating CCS into the Abadi LNG project.
His previous roles underscored his influence in high-stakes oil and gas developments in the region, where INPEX maintains significant interests.
His elevation to Fellow status occurred in earlier announcements, reflecting sustained contributions to the company’s global portfolio.
The reassignment aligns with INPEX’s focus on bolstering its Technical Headquarters amid evolving energy demands.
As a major Japanese oil and gas explorer, INPEX frequently adjusts leadership to optimise technical innovation and project execution.
Hagiwara’s shift supports this by channelling regional experience into headquarters-level strategy, effective as of next month.
At INPEX Corporation, the Fellow level represents a prestigious senior executive rank, comparable to or just below executive officers.
