Named Neptune Oil & Gas, the new company is supported by private equity firms Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners. It intends to have a portfolio of assets with combined oil and gas production capacity of up to 100,000 barrels a day.
The Financial Times cited Laidlaw as saying: "This is actually about trying to improve operating efficiency, add barrels, add reserves and find different operating models that drive value."
The timing is favorable for the venture as energy and exploration companies have been considering selling oil and gas assets in recent months to strengthen their balance sheets in the wake of plunging oil price.
"Carlyle and CVC share my enthusiasm to invest in building a new oil and gas company and to create significant value for our stakeholders at this pivotal time for the industry, in particular across the North Sea, North Africa and South East Asia," Laidlaw added.
Within the next two years, the new fund plans to conclude one or two large deals worth around $5bn.
Carlyle will support the investment platform through its Carlyle International Energy Partners (CIEP) that focuses on oil and gas exploration and production, midstream, and refining segments worldwide.
CIEP head and managing director Marcel van Poecke said: "CIEP will provide capability and support to Neptune through its global energy platform as we invest in and grow large-scale energy companies seeking capital and global management expertise."
