Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

Even in a more carbon-conscious world, oil and gas will continue to play a significant role in the global energy system. From petrochemicals to power generation, oil and gas technologies will be a central player in the “dual challenge” of meeting increased energy demand and the need for low-carbon energy, making oil and gas still critical for international trade, investment, and geopolitics.

Recent analysis

How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

Dispatches Mar 17, 2026

How the Iran war could trigger a European energy crisis

By Lisa Basquel

Refilling Europe’s depleted gas storage—already a difficult task given the continent’s efforts to stop purchasing Russian gas—is even more difficult now with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.
Conflict Economy & Business
How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

Dispatches Mar 12, 2026

Energy under attack: What the Gulf can learn from Ukraine and Iraq

By Matthew Keating

In their successes and shortcomings, Iraq and Ukraine are cases worth studying by countries currently under attack from Iran.
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

Dispatches Mar 5, 2026

What a Middle East oil and LNG crisis means for China and East Asia

By Joseph Webster, Reid I’Anson, and Kevin Li

China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan would each be affected by a collapse in energy through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed.
China Conflict

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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Events

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

The role of oil and gas companies in the energy transition

By Robert (“RJ”) Johnston, Reed Blakemore, and Randolph Bell

Many oil and gas companies have recognized the need to decarbonize the energy system to avoid the impacts of climate change. Initial industry efforts to play a role in the energy transition show sincerity and promise. Yet the urgent need for more oil and gas production for the foreseeable future suggests that a comprehensive framework for the oil and gas industry to support a low-carbon future while simultaneously ensuring the world has enough energy to meet development and economic growth goals has yet to be fully developed. What role can the oil and gas industry play lead the way to an energy-rich, globally prosperous, low-carbon future?

Energy Transitions Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

European energy diversification: How alternative sources, routes, and clean technologies can bolster energy security and decarbonization

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Irina Markina

The European Union’s efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy present a unique and timely opportunity to strengthen European energy security. What is the EU currently doing to meet its decarbonization goals, address the role of natural gas in Europe’s low-carbon future, and explain the potential for new gas sources, alternative gas routes, and clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions? And how can this be done while simultaneously increasing European energy security and opportunities for transatlantic cooperation?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Manufacturing facility

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

The Saudi Aramco-SABIC merger: How acquiring SABIC fits into Aramco’s long-term diversification strategy

By Private: Jean-François Seznec

Throughout 2019, financial markets have watched the planned Saudi Aramco initial public offering (IPO), which was finally launched in December. A quieter, but no less significant, story was the Saudi oil company’s acquisition of SABIC. Saudi Aramco strove to have a successful IPO, especially through increased transparency and diversification, and the SABIC acquisition was a key element of Saudi oil company's diversification strategy. Going forward, what does the merger mean for both companies, what is the new relationship between Saudi Aramco and SABIC, and what are the merger’s implications for the intricate relationship between the various bureaucracies and leadership in Saudi Arabia?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
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Content

EnergySource

Jun 12, 2026

How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

By Charles Hendry, David L. Goldwyn, Lee Beck, Phillip Cornell, Ben Cahill

Read the reflections of Atlantic Council experts on the 2026 Global Energy Forum that explored how the US, allies, and partners can fortify interconnections against the weaponization of energy.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Jun 11, 2026

Caribbean countries are feeling the squeeze from this energy crisis—and not just from gas prices

By Katherine Golden

At the 2026 Global Energy Forum, two Caribbean leaders explained that small island developing states are feeling the pinch of this crisis, in the form of high gas prices and shrinking climate adaptation finance.

Caribbean Climate Change & Climate Action

Report

Jun 10, 2026

From diversification to integration: A market-based LNG coordination mechanism in Europe

By Michał Kurtyka, Marcin Gawęda, and Lisa Basquel

Europe successfully diversified its LNG supply in a short period, but long-term energy security requires a structural redesign of how European gas markets are organized, priced, and supplied.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Jun 9, 2026

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright: It will take ‘many months’ to get back to normal after this energy crisis

By Katherine Golden

At the tenth annual Global Energy Forum, Wright said that “the price” of this crisis “will be wildly worth paying,” if it means that Iran eventually ceases to be “a constant threat to its neighbors."

Conflict Crisis Management

Global Energy Agenda

Jun 8, 2026

2026 Global Energy Agenda full survey results

The Global Energy Agenda takes the pulse of the energy community, revealing expert views on global energy security, access, and sustainability.

Africa Americas

EnergySource

Jun 4, 2026

A US oil export ban could raise pump prices

By Ben Cahill

If the Strait of Hormuz closure continues and gasoline prices increase further, US policymakers might consider banning oil exports. But instead of lowering prices, it could have the opposite effect.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Inflection Points Dialogues

May 19, 2026

‘Numbers are getting worse’: The head of the IMF on the Iran war shock, inflation, AI risks, and more

By Frederick Kempe

Watch IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva talk with Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe from the Europe Gulf Forum in Greece.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

May 12, 2026

Ukrainian long-range drones are turning Russia’s size into a weakness

By Peter Dickinson

Ukraine is waging a strategic bombing campaign of deep strikes across the Russian Federation that aims to exploit Russia's colossal size and transform it from a key strength into a fatal weakness, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Dispatches

May 7, 2026

How the Trump administration can reform the Jones Act to lower US energy costs

By David L. Goldwyn, Reid I’Anson, and Andrea Clabough

Shippers should be allowed to use non–Jones Act compliant vessels as long as no alternative is available.

Conflict Economy & Business

Global Energy Agenda

May 7, 2026

The future of US energy security: Building on lessons from the Iran war

By Bob McNally

The global energy disruption caused by the Iran war reveals what US energy policy has gotten right—and wrong. These lessons could pave the way toward a more energy-secure world.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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Experts

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Fellow

Ben Cahill

Nonresident senior fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Fellow

Neil Ford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment

Fellow

Agnia Grigas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Mamadou Fall Kane

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment
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