Sep 2020

Financial conditions may have rallied, but the long-term survival of many firms still hangs in the balance

An income squeeze is forcing upstream delays and a reappraisal of the company’s downstream portfolio

The September 2020 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!

LNG Review 2020 is out now!

The new Iraqi premier is leveraging the US administration’s loathing for Iran to secure energy investments

Credit rating downgrades are putting pressure on many developing economies, threatening the further progress of their energy transitions

Credit rating downgrades are putting pressure on many developing economies, threatening the further progress of their energy transitions

The establishment of the Somali Petroleum Authority and launch of a licensing round may be undermined if the replacement of the ousted prime minister is not seen as legitimate

The ACCC is struggling to ensure domestic consumers are offered terms that are even close to those available to export customers

UKCS continues to see strong appetite from operators

Covid disruptions prove no barrier to major year-on-year jump in H1 2020

The end of the Abe era is unlikely to lead the country to increase its unambitious target for renewables

The sector may have seen a more rational 2020 so far. But that is no guarantee it has learnt its lessons

The war in Cabo Delgado is intensifying, but work on Total’s LNG project continues

Major oilfield services player reshuffles portfolio to cope with dearth of work and spiralling costs

There is little hope that state-owned refiners will resume production, partly due to Covid-19, while the new Dangote refinery is insufficient to meet demand

The major brake on the Gulf’s state’s ambitions may not be resource, but rather customer appetite

Natural gas is expected to be the dominant fossil fuel and source of emissions by 2050, so industry, governments and research institutions must work together to accelerate CCS implementation

Natural gas is expected to be the dominant fossil fuel and source of emissions by 2050, so industry, governments and research institutions must work together to accelerate CCS implementation

The South American country’s prolific upstream shows no sign of slowing as another two oil finds are added to the growing list

Governments need to take a leading role in supporting technological development and tackling the emissions of legacy power and industrial facilities, he says

As blackouts worsen, government launches flawed emergency power procurement plan and fails to liberalise sector

As blackouts worsen, government launches flawed emergency power procurement plan and fails to liberalise sector

As blackouts worsen, government launches flawed emergency power procurement plan and fails to liberalise sector

Brazilian company has ambitious divestment package but could be thrown off track by adverse economic conditions

The US has a vital role in promoting flexible and transparent LNG markets

Hopes that the country’s only refining facility might re-open are dealt a blow

The strained producer downgrades its 2021 forecast as rapid economic recovery looks doubtful

Japan ignores strategic low-carbon energy options and risks muddling through by adding more coal

Japan ignores strategic low-carbon energy options and risks muddling through by adding more coal

In an ever more complex global market, evolving LNG actors face a challenge in valuing what they have and choosing their next steps

The PE Awards will take a new approach this year, in terms of both format and the categories themselves, with awards spanning the energy industry in its entirety.

As its oil sector remains effectively paralysed by conflict, Yemenis are exploiting renewables out of necessity

As its oil sector remains effectively paralysed by conflict, Yemenis are exploiting renewables out of necessity

The impacts of the coronavirus on energy consumption and prices hold crucial lessons for when oil and gas demand peak, says Maarten Wetselaar

Alongside the traditional buyers and sellers, the industry’s middlemen are making a contribution to greater efficiency

The biggest opportunity for LNG growth—coal-to-gas switching in Asia—will materialise only if LNG is realistically priced

Failing to incorporate greater flexibility into LNG purchase agreements could spell trouble as nations get tough on carbon emissions

Failing to incorporate greater flexibility into LNG purchase agreements could spell trouble as nations get tough on carbon emissions

The Edmonton administration assumes that there will be another oil bull cycle. It may be wrong

Traditionally conservative players are embracing more flexible approaches

With the shipping sector starting to opt for cleaner fuels, the market for LNG as a marine fuel is growing strongly

Slumping prices and imminent capacity expansion have dented investor confidence despite bullish long-term demand forecasts

Spotlight falls on pre-salt production as Latin American NOC dials down capex

The country is looking to bring its refining industry up to modern standards, but it needs to resolve the problem of oil supply

In Asia, an increasingly liberalised LNG market has enabled the region to mitigate a lack of interconnected pipeline infrastructure

The complexity and cost of pricing carbon emissions from LNG’s full lifecycle will likely deter adoption—so a narrower approach may work better

Explorer divests non-core assets to cut costs and focus attention on proven basins

Buyers of marine fuels may need to think harder about their decision-making when considering what to put in their vessels

The global gas and LNG market will continue to recover barring a second spike. But the pandemic’s impact will be measured in years

Auctioning minority stakes in NOCs’ assets may fill short-term budget holes, but they are no guarantee of long-term change

The Kremlin has made a surprise move to reform its complex system

Jill Evanko has been a tough competitor since her college days. Now she is an award winner

Jill Evanko has been a tough competitor since her college days. Now she is an award winner

Mervin Azeta has been passionate about helping to tackle global energy challenges from a young age

Mervin Azeta has been passionate about helping to tackle global energy challenges from a young age

Vanguard award winner Tolu Longe has seen many changes for the better over the past two decades. But there is still more to be done

Vanguard award winner Tolu Longe has seen many changes for the better over the past two decades. But there is still more to be done

The region’s appetite for LNG has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, but exports have proved more robust

The energy transition offers the sector an opportunity, but it should not be complacent

New investment in gas-to-chemicals capacity could add value to an economy hobbled by declining Chinese import appetite

Barrels may have returned to the market, but lack of drilling and bearish conditions will likely see production fall sharply across Q4

Multiple economic impacts of the pandemic are stacked up against the nation’s ambitious gas strategy

The region needs LNG to power developing economies

The Canberra government has tried to throw the country’s refineries a financial lifeline in an existential struggle

Production could ramp up quickly, but the countdown is already ticking on another round of shutdowns

Tax changes might force smaller, simpler facilities to the wall

Blue hydrogen will be required to support decarbonisation while green hydrogen matures and its costs decrease