More than three decades after the UNFCCC was signed, the energy transition’s global contribution to slowing the overall increase in CO2 emissions has been inconsequential. US energy expert and former US government adviser Stephen D. Eule tells Petroleum Economist’s Saniya Garyali that despite a plethora of new laws, rhetoric and money spent, decarbonisation goals are still as far away as ever.

In 2026, what will define success in the oil and gas industry? In this podcast, industry experts Jorge Herrera and Aneel Bhandari examine the need to master cost control, risk visibility and operational discipline in a year that will squeeze margins and push asset productivity to the foreground. On the technology side, AI and digital twins are moving beyond back-office support to drive real-time decisions, predict failures and improve processes. They also look at how methane abatement and carbon capture are being integrated into day-to-day operations, bringing them closer to the oil and gas business model.

Denise Hamilton joins Rachel McGhie, conference director, WGLC to follow up from her electric keynote at WGLC 2025 in October. In this podcast they discuss why connection, communication and community are the skills leaders need most right now.

Next year could be pivotal for the oil & gas industry, as long-standing challenges in maintenance and asset management come back into focus. Many operators still face fragmented systems, limited visibility across engineering, safety and maintenance and difficulty linking day-to-day activities with business goals. In this episode, Gemma Fornes and Dennis Filthaus from Hexagon explain how building a physical digital twin provides the reliable data backbone needed for risk-based maintenance, regulatory compliance, and ESG reporting—and how it connects with performance, integrity and maintenance twins to give asset teams consistent, trusted information across the enterprise

Dennis Joel, CEO, AIQ, discusses the transformative role of AI in the energy sector, particularly in optimizing operations and enhancing sustainability. He highlights AIQ's collaboration with ADNOC and other global partners to develop innovative solutions that redefine industry roles and improve efficiency. The discussion also touches on the future of AI in oil and gas, emphasizing the potential for AI to change the narrative around the industry and contribute positively to society.

Welcome to the first episode of a new podcast series launched by Petroleum Economist: 'What’s up with gas?' The series will cover the key developments happening in the natural gas space. In this episode, we discuss sanctions on Russian energy and specifically the US position on ongoing purchases of Arctic LNG 2 cargoes by Russia, the EU’s bold plan to eliminate Russian energy use and the outlook for gas demand and supply both in the short and long term.

In this episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, host Rachel McGhie speaks with Melissa Gould of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT-US) about the vital role women are playing in subsea technology, offshore energy, and the blue economy. Melissa shares how SUT’s Women in Industry initiative is building inclusiveness, encouraging participation, and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. From mentorship and networking to breaking barriers and embracing curiosity, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, equity, and the future of energy.

In this episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, Rachel McGhie speaks with Lamé Verre, co-founder of Lean In Equity & Sustainability. Lamé shares her journey as an advocate and changemaker, the gaps she saw in representation across the energy and sustainability sectors, and how her platform is driving progress for women—especially women of color. Together, they explore why equity matters, how mentorship and networks fuel leadership, and what true empowerment looks like in boardrooms, strategy teams, and across the global energy landscape.Tune in for insights on building inclusive leadership, the transformative role of WGLC, and a bold vision for the future of women in energy.

Middle East gas could provide an economic and more sustainable energy option especially in terms of meeting local demand, Crystol Energy CEO Carole Nakhle tells Petroleum Economist’s Paul Hickin. She warns against oversimplifying energy debates around peak demand, explains the evolutionary role of OPEC and talks about the importance of diversifying Middle East economies not just regional energy mixes along with the role of fiscal systems to maximise a country’s strengths

OPEC+ spare capacity is much lower than the market consensus and US shale will also struggle to add extra supply in the second half of 2025 providing upside risk to oil prices, according to Emily Ashford. The Standard Chartered energy analyst tells Petroleum Economist’s Paul Hickin that while tariffs, trade and geopolitics add bearishness, much has been priced in and may be offset by a supply side that is likely to see OPEC+’s members involved in additional voluntary cuts take a hiatus in returning volumes after the summer. 

Oil and gas can and should coexist with renewables, and policymakers must be aware of the risks to energy access, affordability and sustainability from sometimes ill-judged efforts to tackle climate issues and demonise energy companies, argues Amy Miller. The PRAGMA CEO tells Petroleum Economist’s chief economist Paul Hickin that it’s important to appreciate every country has a unique energy journey and a practical approach to energy and climate needs to be embraced given its pivotal role in everyday life. 

In the debut episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, Conference Director Rachel McGhie sits down with Lauren Levicki Courville, President of Dress for Success Houston, to explore what empowerment looks like for women navigating economic independence, career growth, and leadership.Lauren shares the incredible work of DFS Houston—an organisation that has impacted close to 50,000 women and 65,000 children through professional development, mentorship, and community support. From the first suit to sustained career advancement, she paints a vivid picture of how confidence and community are transformative forces.Tune in for insights on:* Why empowerment starts with being seen and supported* How community engagement builds long-term impact* The shared mission of DFS Houston and WGLC in advancing women’s leadership in energy and beyondThis episode is a reminder that leadership doesn’t start in the boardroom—it starts when a woman realises she deserves a seat at the table.Learn more and register for WGLC 2025, taking place in Houston on October 28–29, at wglconference.com (https://www.wglconference.com/)Discover the mission of DFS Houston at dfshouston.org (https://www.dfshouston.org/)

In this episode, Petroleum Economist sister title Hydrocarbon Processing spoke with Nav Sharma, Director of Product Management, Cybersecurity, Honeywell, on safeguarding assets from cyber attacks. This includes behavioural analytics and deception technologies, and what a truly proactive cyber defense system looks like in OT environments to protect vital infrastructure

The energy transition is a false narrative that has caused vast sums of government money to be wasted warns Mark Mills, executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics. The US energy think tank leader talks to Paul Hickin, chief economist of Petroleum Economist about how Jevons paradox explains the way energy efficiencies can be counterproductive and the crucial role of hydrocarbons in meeting electrification needs. 

While oil demand is weakening and OPEC+ is bringing back barrels, a lack of non-OPEC supply—especially as US shale sputters—will likely see an oil market revival in 2026, says EnergyRogue.com’s Brian Pieri. Petroleum Economist’s chief economist, Paul Hickin, and Brian also explain why betting against OPEC is a fool’s errand. 

Petroleum Economist explored the nexus of supply and demand fundamentals and the power of sentiment with Tamas Varga, a top oil analyst at PVM Oil Associates. With the IEA and OPEC unable to find a consensus on the oil outlook and many moving parts to tariffs, geopolitical risk, OPEC+ barrels and US production, a more nuanced approach to market direction may be required. 

Petroleum Economist talked to Dr Ian Palmer, solar space scientist turned oilfield engineer, about his book How Oil and Gas Companies are Pivoting Toward Climate Change, covering carbon capture, net-zero targets, batteries and the future of fossil fuels.

Petroleum Economist sat down with Neil Quilliam to explore how Saudi Arabia is balancing oil market management, growing its gas and LNG sector and developing its renewables strategy. Neil is involved with SRMG Think, Azure Strategy Consulting and Chatham House and explains how the Kingdom’s near and long term energy vision fits with its plans to diversify its economy.

Part 2 of Petroleum Economist’s global refining analysis focuses on the Asia-Pacific region. This episode details major initiatives that are leading to additional capital expenditures for refining capacity additions, including the ability to satisfy domestic fuel demand, higher biofeedstock blending, increasing SAF production, the inclusion of petrochemical units in existing refining infrastructure and the grassroots construction of mega-integrated complexes, and much more.

In this latest series, Petroleum Economist will analyze the global refining industry. This first episode provides a breakdown of active projects globally, current capital spending on refining projects, and future distillation and secondary unit capacity additions.