The paradox of energy security
Efforts to secure the flow of energy often do the opposite, reinforcing injustice and historical resentments, argues a new book
Northern Iraq is at war. Renewed sanctions on Iran may be imminent. Opec is cutting supply. Venezuela is collapsing. Relations between Russia and the West are deteriorating. Terror groups are targeting energy assets in countries like Libya and oil-producing South Sudan is a failed state. China is flexing its muscles in the South China Sea. More prosaically, international oil companies have carried out a huge upstream investment retreat since 2014. Such ingredients—especially in combination—would once have spiked oil prices and prompted urgent global summits. These days, oil markets remain sanguine and energy security has lost its paranoia factor. The rise of American oil and gas and public n
Also in this section
18 February 2026
With Texas LNG approaching financial close, Alaska LNG advancing towards a phased buildout and Magnolia LNG positioned for future optionality, Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval says the coming year will demonstrate how the company’s more focused, owner-operator approach is reshaping LNG infrastructure development in the North America
18 February 2026
The global gas industry is no longer on the backfoot, hesitantly justifying the value of its product, but has greater confidence in gas remaining a core part of the global energy mix for decades
18 February 2026
With marketable supply unlikely to grow significantly and limited scope for pipeline imports, Brazil is expected to continue relying on LNG to cover supply shortfalls, Ieda Gomes, senior adviser of Brazilian thinktank FGV Energia,
tells Petroleum Economist
17 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”
