The energy sector has seen a huge rise in regulatory activity – both new rules and more enforcement – over the past few years. Financial compliance risks such as bribery and corruption are perennial issues in a sector with complex supply chains and operations in traditionally difficult regions. But sanctions are the issue currently dominating the news, creating rapid change and constant demands on compliance officers. 

Ruth Prickett graduated from Cambridge University with a BA hons in History and has specialized in business and finance journalism for the past 20 years. She was editor of Financial Management, the magazine...