Mar 2018

The UK company's latest energy outlook flags up more diversity, but doesn’t predict an imminent collapse in oil demand

With urban pollution rising up the political agenda, high emissions and a poor public image could prove terminal for the road fuel

The outgoing envoy blames all sides for failing to grasp peace opportunities

The March 2018 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!

A tighter market for fracking equipment and a rosy drilling outlook have operators recovering their pre-crash form

Alberta is trying to transform its image and pry open new markets

This year should see Brazil's recovery deepen, but also holds the risk of a presidential election derailing it

Caracas doesn't have an answer for the accelerating deterioration of the country's oil industry

The head of the country's National Oil Corporation is succeeding in pushing output higher against the odds, only for its ubiquitous militias to push it back down again

Steel tariffs could slow booming pipeline and downstream infrastructure construction and feed producer inflation

Gas shortages will prompt expansion in regional demand for liquefied natural gas

The Indian government is hoping that new regulations will encourage investment in the upstream oil and gas sector to offset rising imports

Two of the most-watched countries in the expansion of unconventional gas adopt opposite approaches to tapping their substantial reserves

Legal and environmental challenges are tying the hands of governments keen to exploit unconventional gas

A sixth discovery off the country's coast points to further oil riches at ExxonMobil's Stabroek Block

The country is positioning itself to dominate liquefied natural gas-fuelled cargo shipping routes into Asia

Fresh developments in the Arctic promise new production, but enthusiasm for fresh licenses has waned

New oil finds and melting ice are helping to reignite interest in the region

The country is adopting a new energy identity which gives emirates, other than kingpin Abu Dhabi, greater and more diverse roles

With liquefied natural gas production approaching capacity again, the country is adapting to shifting market patterns

A change of political leadership has had a more far-reaching impact on the country's oil sector than anticipated

Reinvigorating production on acreage abandoned by the majors could be a tough task

No longer a niche sector restricted to north-west Europe, offshore wind is likely to play a significant role in meeting the world's clean energy needs

A maritime border dispute between Israel and Lebanon, and a plan by IOCs to start drilling close to the contested area, are contributing to regional tensions

Chris Turner's new book is a thorough account of how Alberta's oil sands became one of the energy world's hottest properties—and its most controversial

The rebalancing effort is on shaky ground. To keep cutting is a problem but to stop might be just as bad

As tight oil soars, producers should welcome the retreat in prices. Cheaper oil is the best chance to bring back market equilibrium

Iran, Venezuela and North Korea are all potential flashpoints in 2018

Tight oil producers were buoyant and Opec accommodating as the global oil industry gathered

There's still plenty more value to be eked out of the maturing basin, according to one of the region's most experienced operators

With an eye on new paths being followed by NOCs in the neighbourhood, Abu Dhabi is injecting new energy into the firm

Facing voracious demand for energy, Asian countries are planning either to increase imports or seek new upstream opportunities

The country's long-delayed crude oil futures contract promises much, but doubts persist

Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis have stalled, but there's no indication of imminent escalation

New renewable energy deals point to a fundamental shift in South Africa's energy investment priorities

Singapore, Shanghai and Japan all wish to become trading hubs and price-reporting agencies are trying to establish benchmarks

Eni's parallel-development method has enabled it to smash records at its mega-giant Zohr gas project. Petroleum Economist was given exclusive access to the onshore operations

Hopes are high of fresh finds in the area

American policy towards Iran and Venezuela will likely grow harsher, injecting more risk into energy markets

Demand and supply data still diverge, Venezuela’s increasingly critical to balances, and some macro alarm bells are starting to ring

Is "The Petro" a leap forward or just a cash grab?

The IEA and Opec say Trump’s trade plans are a threat to global growth

New natural gas coming on stream will boost the country's economy, in the short term

Egyptians face another four years of authoritarian rule

GCC states are rethinking their approach to energy pricing, as the solar PV revolution shatters old preconceptions

Constrained by sanctions, firms are tied to the fortunes of domestic banks

The world’s largest gas producer is once more likely to ignore calls to increase dividends

The country's disintegration is matched by growing difficulties in envisioning a peace deal

MbS’s first visits to the UK and US as crown prince show acceptance there that he’ll be the next Saudi king. But not all Saudis are happy

As the oil market regains balance, risk will affect the price. Here's where to watch

Sentiment towards fracking remains lukewarm

Tension between the nations is high, but war doesn't appear to be on the cards, despite escalating Saudi rhetoric

With the energy sector operating normally, the country is adjusting to life under sanctions

Demand is keeping up with supply. But new flexibility and hubs are changing the trading environment

The UK oil industry’s trade body is cautious over prospects for the maturing oil province

Rising US supplies, expanding European demand and much available regasification capacity should increase liquidity in the Atlantic Basin

A clumsy roll-out has imperiled a plan to open nearly all of America's waters to drilling

The shape of future EU carbon trading hangs in the balance

A busy political season will put recent market-friendly energy changes to the test

Attractive auctions will see the region compete for international investors

Executives see plenty of enticing opportunities, but spending will be heavily weighted to the US and they can't commit without signs of a sustained path toward higher-priced oil

Will producers chase growth or profits?

A steep production decline from the country is already priced in, but things could get even worse

Beijing has seized the initiative in the contested area. But Australia and Timor-Leste are nearing agreement in their zone of dispute

While wind and hydropower are making inroads, coal and gas are retreating

The country will shortly become the world's largest exporter

Despite promising resources, disputes over payment terms are stalling progress

Saudi Arabia is considering its response after intercepting seven missiles launched from Yemeni soil

Investment is needed to boost production capacity

The company now faces a group-wide transformation

Industry heavyweights have piled in after large discoveries in the Sureste Basin, which has emerged as the country's most promising area outside the deep waters

Production is likely to flirt with 1m barrels a day as the country's problems mount

Russia is in a weak position to directly hinder UK gas supply in response to diplomatic disputes. Brexit creates more risk for future energy security