May 2017

The May 2017 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!

Gulf Publishing Company creates largest energy media company serving upstream, midstream, downstream sectors

Wind and solar energy have put down roots across the US and will keep growing even if Washington turns hostile

The majors have carried billions of barrels of oil sands reserves on their books. The price downturn is making them disappear

The death of Arctic exploration has been greatly exaggerated—in Norway, at least

The country’s producers have been cutting output in the first two quarters of 2017, but their guidance to investors is for a reversal in the second half

A regional view and the big picture: An industry in a fast-changing environment

Extending the deal with Opec is the only barrier to oil-output growth in 2017. But Russian exports should keep rising whatever is decided in Vienna

The group is expected to extend its cuts deal. But global supply could still surge

The industry has been battered by price volatility over the past two years. For ConocoPhillips, adaptation is the key to not just surviving, but thriving

From importer to exporter, shale gas has transformed the US energy landscape

The country has shut down domestic output but a shift to cleaner fuels will be a slow one. And its coal import needs are showing no signs of abating

Malaysia's flagship energy firm has its sights set on China's import market

Asia will remain the driving force behind global energy demand growth, and the kingdom is poised to meet the region's needs

Shipments of oil and gas hit new highs in 2016. As drilling picks up and new infrastructure is built, 2017 could be another record breaker

Demand may be set to surge, but Asia’s largest gas importers remain firmly in control

The challenges are not over for the pipeline which will run from Alberta to the Gulf Coast

International oil companies are fleeing the oil sands for greener pastures elsewhere

Despite the challenges facing the energy industry, it is well-placed to meet them, AOGC 2017 hears

A combination of cuts to upstream capital spending and steepening well decline rates will threaten global supply security, industry leaders warn

Saudi Aramco has big plans for expanding its refining capacity and it won’t let oil-price volatility stand in the way, Abdulaziz Judaimi, the company's downstream vice president, says

As their economies grow, the three countries need upstream investment to meet rapidly rising demand

Public resistance to nuclear power is a hurdle to overcome for Japan to meet its energy targets

Bulging stocks, US output gains and Opec's need to make further production cuts are derailing a recovery in oil prices, according to AOGC 2017’s conference chairman

Solar costs continue to fall, recently hitting less than 3 cents/kWh in some parts of the world. But the scaling back of incentives and constraints of the existing electricity infrastructure could hinder future expansion

Cooperate and be flexible to survive, industry leaders tell AOGC

PCG charts future growth through petrochemical projects in PIC

Rosneft and Novatek are biting at Gazprom's heels in the domestic market. Its focus is international

The Russian giant is ready to defend its market share in Europe and face off the threat of American LNG

GDP is picking up, partly thanks to higher oil prices. But reforms are needed to consolidate the gains

The country has taken steps in the right direction. But the risks are too great to ignore

A Supreme Court ruling has given the president broad authority to strike oil deals. Will there be any takers?

Coal still beats natural gas in many European markets, notably Germany. This makes no sense, says Wintershall chief executive Mario Mehren

The elimination of pollution from gas flaring in southern Iraq is becoming an election issue

The Permian will lead a strong US onshore recovery in 2017, while former stalwarts the Eagle Ford and Bakken struggle to regain their footing

A proposed tax reform may reward US exporters—unless the dollar adjusts. But it would also disrupt international trade and be bearish for global oil prices

The group has no real option but to roll over its deal on 25 May. Prices should rise in the second half of the year—and then the policy debate will start again

His 2015 election brought hope for Nigeria's struggling oil-dominated economy. Is the president now part of the problem?

Developers working offshore the island think they may be about to unlock vast new reserves. Taking them to a depressed market will be much harder

An extension to the cuts may not help the group as much as it helps Texas

The country wants to shake off its reputation for delays and energy sector in-fighting

Dana Gas has struggled to get paid for its work. Yet its chief executive still thinks gas in the Middle East will thrive

Extending the cuts for nine months is designed to kill off the stock glut, but the pledge to keep going will buoy tight oil

Baghdad's and Erbil's oil-output plans are entwined with political differences and Ankara's strategy to diversify energy sources

The defeat of IS in Mosul will uncover a range of festering political grievances

Energy and economic interdependence between Turkey and the KRG will transcend political crises

The world's biggest oil firm is relying on science, technology and, increasingly, its domestic base to insulate it from weaker oil prices

International interest in the country's upstream has waned lately. New investment laws about to come into force could help

Blessed with sunshine and wind as abundant as its oil and gas, the region is starting to plot a cleaner post-oil future

GCC: An intra-GCC political row is diverting attention from external economic threats facing the six energy producers