Articles
21 February 2025
Thinking small helps African LNG prospects
While large-scale planned LNG schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have faced fresh problems, FLNG projects are stepping into that space
20 February 2025
HPI Market Data 2025: Introduction
Greater social mobility means increased global demand for refined fuels and petrochemical products, with Asia leading the way in the expansion of refining capacity
19 February 2025
The case for easing EU gas storage rules
The EU would do well to ease its gas storage requirements to avoid heavy purchase costs this summer, with the targets having created market distortion while giving sellers a significant advantage over buyers
18 February 2025
Letter from Iran: US sanctions cut off crude supply line
Deliveries to China decline by around 1m b/d from move to curb crude exports to Shandong port, putting Iran under further economic pressure
18 February 2025
Libya’s armed oil industry takeover
Booming crude production has been met with international caution after the UN’s damning assessment
17 February 2025
Letter from India: Fast-tracking a global all-energy approach
The thrum of the government’s comprehensive energy internationalism could be seen in the flurry of deals and partnerships at India Energy Week amid a mission to meet the economy’s insatiable appetite
17 February 2025
Letter on Transition: Energy’s climate question faces crucial test
There is a growing feeling that it will not take much for heavy international hitters to follow the US out of the Paris Agreement
14 February 2025
Thailand’s LNG readies for commercial transformation
The start of private LNG imports may trigger an evolution in the country’s policy of energy security to encompass commercial exploitation
13 February 2025
Latin America’s evolving crude outlook
New supply from Argentina, Brazil and Guyana is rich in middle distillates, but optimism in terms of volume growth remains tempered by regulatory and technical risks as well as price volatility
12 February 2025
Kazakhstan’s Tengiz growth tests OPEC+ limits
The oilfield expansion provides a fresh influx of revenue but will strain its cooperation with OPEC+ and fails to mask deeper issues with the economy and investors
11 February 2025
Core OPEC, OPEC+ tighten oil output in January
Improving compliance among the group and wider group is offset by production increases in outliers Libya, Venezuela and Iran
10 February 2025
Azerbaijan looks to solve its midstream conundrum
The country wants to kickstart its upstream but first needs to persuade investors to foot the bill
10 February 2025
Petroleum Economist: February 2025
The February 2025 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
7 February 2025
Letter from the US: Oil’s tin problem
The history of tin production and prices offers a preview of the future oil market. If correct, $35/bl could become the new normal for crude for several years without further OPEC+ intervention
7 February 2025
Chinese refiners face moment of truth
Changing oil demand patterns mean different downstream economics amid switch to naphtha, LPG and other petrochemicals
6 February 2025
Indonesia seeks to revitalise 1m b/d oil production dream
Policy initiatives will take time to reverse declining output, and restoring investor confidence is far from certain
6 February 2025
Gulf and DECHEMA partner to launch ChemE Show—Powered by ACHEMA in 2026
This premier event is poised to address the evolving technology and investment demands of North America’s thriving chemical and pharmaceutical sectors
5 February 2025
Myanmar LNG import terminal back on table
Growing appetite for LNG reinvigorates discussions between China and Myanmar, but civil war may prevent talk becoming action
5 February 2025
Indian refiners face sourcing dilemma
With new capacity, buyers must navigate sanctioned Russian crude, a return to traditional OPEC barrels and diversity of supply
4 February 2025
Canada re-evaluates energy security with elections on horizon
The threat of Trump tariffs and the departure of Trudeau have sharpened the domestic political focus on boosting the oil and gas industry
3 February 2025
The tug-of-war over Alaska’s energy economy
Alaska has been engulfed by a lack of consistent policymaking and highlights the challenges financing energy projects in the US
31 January 2025
Gulf of Mexico is US oil’s engine room in 2025
Several projects are expected to boost production this year as strategically important region looks to environmental rules, fiscal policies, oil prices and demand trends longer term
31 January 2025
Oil producers under pressure in 2025
Trump may get his wish for cheaper oil, but prices will more likely be driven by fundamentals than policies
30 January 2025
Trump’s oil market trade-off
Following through on threats to key oil producers while simultaneously bringing down prices will prove a tricky balancing act
29 January 2025
Chevron joins AI gas-to-power push
Oil and gas firm backs Trump agenda as it unveils plan to deploy gas-fired capacity to power US datacentres
29 January 2025
Oil market should maintain fragile balance in 2025
Petroleum Economist analysis sees ICE Brent averaging $79/bl in 2025 as misfiring non-OPEC+ oil supply overshadows tepid demand growth
28 January 2025
Namibian energy minister wants gas master plan
African nation eyes roadmap for associated gas, complicating IOCs’ oil exploration activities
27 January 2025
MENA NOCs secure influence in low-carbon future
Regional state-owned firms are transforming their strategies and leveraging their resources to position themselves as clean energy powerhouses, and to ensure they maintain influence in a low-carbon world
27 January 2025
Thailand and Cambodia eye oil and gas detente
Asian neighbours seek resolution on territorial dispute for hydrocarbons development that has spanned decades
24 January 2025
Africa’s new breed of buyers eye production ramp-ups
Domestic companies in Nigeria and other African jurisdictions are buying assets from existing majors they view as more likely to deliver production upside under their stewardship
23 January 2025
Europe faces perilous year without Ukraine gas transit
The end of transit, though widely anticipated, leaves Europe paying a third more for gas than a year ago and greatly exposed to supply shocks
23 January 2025
India adopts ‘drill, baby, drill’ approach
The country’s government and E&P companies are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to increase domestic crude output as BP–ONGC tie-up leads the way
22 January 2025
Big oil won, ESG lost
The return of Donald Trump gives further evidence of ‘big oil’ as an investable asset, with the only question being whether anyone is really surprised
21 January 2025
Trump administration must state its position on climate and energy
The new president must put his cards on the table and tell the American people, and the world, if the US is formally abandoning the energy transition
20 January 2025
Turkey shows Europe its gas hand
Country offers to boost gas exports to Europe to 10bcm/yr, but serious questions remain
20 January 2025
Why we should watch Kazakhstan in 2025
The country’s oil and gas giant, KazMunayGas, is pushing ahead with a series of significant international partnerships
17 January 2025
OPEC and IEA divergence highlights assumption blackspots
Supply glut or supply deficit are both plausible outlooks, with tariffs and sanctions among the key risks that could swing the pendulum
17 January 2025
Europe faces test of gas resolve
European Commission is on its way to meeting clean energy goals, but energy security concerns and higher costs may give it second thoughts
17 January 2025
Qatari warning on EU legislation resonates across industry
The CEO of QatarEnergy has highlighted the potential impact a new EU directive could have on energy exports to the continent
16 January 2025
Mexico’s energy ambitions weigh heavily on Pemex
The government’s resource nationalism is aggravating the NOC’s debt position and could yet worsen if also tasked with the decarbonisation shift
16 January 2025
Syria’s energy sector sees glimmers of hope
Oil industry has potential for revitalisation despite political uncertainty and damage to infrastructure
16 January 2025
Outlook 2025: The importance of ensuring a just transition for developing nations
While the global energy transition is essential for reaching net zero, it is equally important that less-developed countries are allowed to realise the benefits of their hydrocarbon resources
16 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Europe must take new approach to transition
The EU should turn the page on its prescriptive approach and encourage innovation and competition, with biofuels and biogas being an essential part of the conversation
15 January 2025
Letter from the US: Trump and $1 gasoline
The oil and gas industry will replace its capital discipline with Trump compliance and consumers will benefit from lower gasoline prices
15 January 2025
India overhauls E&P regulations in a bid to raise domestic hydrocarbon production
How legislative reforms and ambitious exploration plans are transforming India into a global energy investment hotspot—and why international investors are taking notice
13 January 2025
Letter from London: Deepwater brimming with confidence for 2025
With Namibia, Guyana and Brazil playing starring roles and important innovations being developed, business as usual has never looked so good
13 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Geopolitics and gas
Regional cooperation over the development of gas resources has the potential to bring peace and prosperity to the East Mediterranean
13 January 2025
Outlook 2025: LNG in 2025 and beyond
Significant expansions are underway in both liquefaction and regasification capacity as LNG firms up its position as a long-term solution for the world’s energy needs
10 January 2025
OPEC output down in December as UAE, Iraq slash supply
New Petroleum Economist OPEC+ oil survey sees group improve compliance to ensure oil market stability going into 2025
10 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Asia continues to dominate hydrocarbon processing investment
The region accounts for the biggest share in terms of capital investment in the $2t market
10 January 2025
Outlook 2025: UK offers upstream opportunity as transition and policy evolve
The importance of the oil and gas sector to the UK and the value of its assets mean 2025 could offer new opportunities and a recovery in activity
9 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Timing is everything for LNG
The disconnect between export terminals coming online and vessels being available to transport cargoes means shipping rates are not looking so good, at least in the short term
9 January 2025
Outlook 2025: The LNG market – stuck in the middle
With substantial volumes of liquefaction capacity on the horizon and buyers holding more of the cards, the LNG market is evolving in unpredictable ways
9 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Using gas and LNG to speed up the transition
The role of gas is changing from being a provider of a large volume of energy to peaking supply backing up expanding renewables
8 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Energy access, military considerations and regional security
The traditional concept of the energy trilemma is insufficient to understand how energy and politics really work
8 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Datacentres, AI and the increasing need for power
With electricity consumption continuing to grow and set to surge further with the rise of digital technologies, natural gas remains critical to meeting demand
7 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Crude oil and changing global energy demand
Oil demand growth may be slowing, but the needs of rising populations and developing economies mean the outlook is still evolving
6 January 2025
Commercial decisions, not Trump, will determine US oil production
Capacity additions during the Biden administration were the highest for a single-term president
3 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Let us not waste time dwelling on diverging gas views
Supporters of the LNG industry need to concentrate on the areas with the most potential before the sector runs out of time to make its mark
2 January 2025
Five trends that will shape oil, gas and energy in 2025
A renewed push for oil and gas production in the US combined with a continued focus on decarbonisation are just two of the trends to look out for in the coming year
2 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Bridging climate action and sustainable development with natural gas
Global population growth is leading to ever-rising demand for reliable and affordable energy, a need gas is perfectly placed to meet
2 January 2025
Outlook 2025: Why oil and gas must play a central role in the lower-carbon transition
The climate narrative has centred on phasing out fossil fuels in favour of renewables and novel solutions, but increasingly, policymakers are realising the importance of hydrocarbons as an enabler of the transition
31 December 2024
Outlook 2025: IOC investment myths need debunking
With a raft of scare stories around peak demand and climate change, 2025 should be the year smart investors leave the Big Oil bogeyman to the stuff of child’s play
31 December 2024
Outlook 2025: Oil is vital to our global energy futures
The world needs to reduce emissions but must do so while providing affordable and reliable energy to meet rising global demand
31 December 2024
Outlook 2025: How all energies must work together to meet increasing global demand
Whether it is hydrogen, LNG, carbon capture or water treatment, collaboration is key to meeting the world’s growing energy demand while meeting decarbonisation goals
30 December 2024
Outlook 2025: US oil production continues slow, steady growth
After hitting a high in 2019, output dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic, only to resume growth in 2021 and reach new highs. The US government expects 2.4% growth in 2025
19 December 2024
Shell’s Sacha Luces joins MCEDD advisory board
Deepwater Development Conference welcomes Shell’s deepwater development manager to advisory board for March 2025 event
19 December 2024
Outlook 2025: A new era – how the UK offshore sector can lead in a competitive market
The government must take the opportunity to harness the sector’s immense potential to support the long-term development of the UK’s low-carbon sector
18 December 2024
Outlook 2025: Gas cannot secure our future without sufficient investment
The energy transition will not succeed without a reliable baseload, but the world risks a shortfall unless more money goes into gas
18 December 2024
December 2024/January 2025
The December/January issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
17 December 2024
Outlook 2025: China faces up to slowing clean product demand
Structurally lower GDP growth and the need for a different economic model will contribute to a significant slowdown
17 December 2024
Outlook 2025: Navigating the windfall tax and the future of UK energy
Policymakers and stakeholders must work together to develop a stable and predictable fiscal regime that prioritises the country’s energy security and economy
17 December 2024
Outlook 2025: Trump to unleash new wave of US LNG projects
The incoming administration is expected to quickly change-up the LNG approvals process and boost several major projects to FID. But market fundamentals still matter
16 December 2024
India’s Russian crude buying has reached its limit
Middle East grades remain a diminished but important part of the South Asian country’s diet, especially as new refining capacity comes online
16 December 2024
Australia faces up to Victoria’s gas folly
As gas supplies dwindle, LNG becomes the only viable solution in a state that has focused on transition
16 December 2024
Outlook 2025: Crude markets look forward to brighter 2025
China drove the market for crude into the doldrums in 2024 with a big drop in demand, but a turnaround looks likely next year
16 December 2024
Chinese teapots bag cheap crude
Canadian and Iranian barrels being snapped up by China’s smaller refineries amid weaker domestic demand
13 December 2024
Mazarine looks ahead following management buyout
The independent is now seeking to expand its operations
13 December 2024
Letter from Japan: Power market risks highlight LNG rework
Flexibility and sharing of risk in gas buying and selling is becoming more essential
13 December 2024
M&A activity likely to slow in Canada
After a recent surge led to 2024 consolidation matching that of previous years, there is less optimism the feat will be repeated in 2025
12 December 2024
Letter from London: Beware false prophets
The oil and gas sector’s renewed upstream activity stands in marked contrast to just a few years ago, highlighting that the market does indeed cycle
11 December 2024
BP’s revised ‘energy addition’ strategy
London-listed IOC is pivoting back towards oil and gas and refocusing its clean energy business, with its Indonesia investment a perfect example of this new way forward
11 December 2024
Trump tariffs could upend oil flows
Potential tariff hikes against Canada and Mexico may hurt US refiners and change supply dynamics in global oil trade reshuffle
10 December 2024
The changing face of Argentina’s upstream
Sector at economic and strategic crossroads, but clear path ahead for midstream additions
10 December 2024
Assad’s downfall is bad news for Iran
The collapse of the Syrian dictator’s regime will weaken Tehran in profound ways both economically and geopolitically
9 December 2024
Petroleum Economist’s Paul Hickin named among 50 top voices in commodities
Editor-in-chief recognised by Cititec as among the 50 voices in commodities worth following
6 December 2024
Letter from the US: Trump’s protectionism threatens oil and gas industry
A trade war may damage US economic growth, with commodity producers the ultimate losers if history is a guide
6 December 2024
Aramco and ADNOC diverge on big petchems bet
The NOCs are both looking to take advantage of the petrochemicals boom, with the Saudi firm snapping up stakes in Asian JVs tied to offtake agreements and its Emirati counterpart striking big M&A deals
5 December 2024
US goes after Russian gas money, part 2
While Donald Trump’s future sanctions policy is anything but certain, he may use a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to pursue an end to the war in Ukraine, although any changes will not happen overnight
5 December 2024
US goes after Russian gas money, part 1
The latest sanctions on Gazprombank and other Russian banks may cause disruption, but willing buyers of Russian energy will find ways to continue payments
5 December 2024
Outlook 2025
The new edition of Outlook, our annual publication about the year ahead for energy, produced in association with White & Case, is available now
4 December 2024
US gas surge coming from oil patch
Associated gas from legacy oil basins could offer a new lease of life to wobbling shale gas production and cement US powerhouse status
3 December 2024
Papua LNG set for FID next year
Papua New Guinea’s LNG sector appears to be back on track, with other projects in the pipeline
2 December 2024
China looks to become LNG trading hub
Crucial role of gas means country is laying the foundations to control physical and trading supply chains
30 November 2024
Turning potential into reality in Iraq
Decades of turmoil have left Iraq’s vast energy potential underutilised, but renewed investment and strategic reforms are transforming it into a key player in the region
29 November 2024
Regional visions in Iraq
Although Iraq remains a major crude exporter, it is still some way from becoming a regional energy supply hub. Ambitious new cross-border schemes aim to rectify that situation
29 November 2024
Enticing new partners to invest in Iraqi energy security
There are opportunities for attractive returns and greater project success amid a real push by the Iraqi government for reform, as long as there is a shared understanding between the needs of investors and the host government
29 November 2024
Raising the stakes in Iraq
The country's fifth and sixth oil and gas bid rounds have attracted a range of new players with gas as well as oil ambitions—and there’s a seismic shift in the contracting process
28 November 2024
Enabling Iraq’s energy independence
Transforming Iraq’s natural gas sector is the key to the country’s energy self-sufficiency, allowing it to chart a course towards becoming a supply hub for the wider region
28 November 2024
Powering Iraq’s future
Iraq is charting a new path for its indigenous resources and its youth, hoping to electrify the future with a mix of reforms and modernisation to fuel growth
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