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

Canada accused of betraying Ukraine and helping Russia break sanctions

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
Canada accused of betraying Ukraine and helping Russia break sanctions

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
Canada accused of betraying Ukraine and helping Russia break sanctions

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

Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region

By Bina Hussein

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to experience significant demographic growth by 2050, growth which will have to be met with commensurate economic expansion and job opportunities, or the region will risk an increase in political instability. To meet this challenge, countries in the region must diversify their economies beyond the energy sector and expand their energy sector beyond hydrocarbons. What are the key trends that MENA countries will have to contend with, what is already being done, and what further steps should be taken?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Jan 9, 2020

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Geopolitics, poverty, and climate change in Bangladesh

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

As the South and Southeast Asian region faces increasing energy demand due to both population and economic growth, countries like Bangladesh must meet that demand while facing and overcoming critical environmental and energy security challenges. How is Bangladesh seeking to diversify its energy mix and establish more local and decarbonized power systems, and what are key opportunities for future government and foreign investment?

Bangladesh Climate Change & Climate Action

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Geopolitics, poverty, and climate change in Pakistan

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

As the South and Southeast Asian region faces increasing energy demand due to both population and economic growth, countries like Pakistan must meet that demand while facing and overcoming critical environmental and energy security challenges. How is Pakistan seeking to diversify its energy mix and establish more local and decarbonized power systems, and what are key opportunities for future government and foreign investment?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance
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Content

UkraineAlert

Jul 18, 2022

Canada accused of betraying Ukraine and helping Russia break sanctions

By Diane Francis

Canada is facing accusations of bowing to Kremlin blackmail after agreeing to lift sanctions imposed over Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion in order to secure Russian gas supplies to Germany.

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Jul 16, 2022

Hakimi quoted in Weekly Voice: Selling coal to Pak paints Taliban as Pakistani puppets

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jul 15, 2022

Ambassador Fried quoted in the Washington Post on efforts to set a Russian oil price cap

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business English

In the News

Jul 13, 2022

Ammar Habib Khan quoted in Dawn: The Russian price Pakistan is paying

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jul 11, 2022

Lichfield, Fishman, and O’Toole cited in Energy Post on the pros and cons of a price cap on Russian oil

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Jul 8, 2022

Putin’s energy weapon: Europe must be ready for Russian gas blackmail

By Aura Sabadus

Disarming Putin's energy weapon: Europe can disconnect from Russia’s gas supplies sooner than some would suggest providing it mobilizes the right human and financial resources to work in that direction.

Conflict Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jul 7, 2022

Preble on Net Assessment: An energy strategy to defeat Russia?

By Atlantic Council

On July 7, Christopher Preble joined his co-hosts on the Net Assessment podcast to consider the economic measures taken by the United States and Europe to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, especially those pertaining to oil and natural gas. Preble and his co-hosted inquired: to what extent are these policies responsible for rising […]

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 1, 2022

Jain interviewed on CNBC on G-7 Russian oil price cap

On June 27, Scowcroft Center director for democratic order Ash Jain was interviewed by CNBC on the G-7 decision to implement oil price caps on Russian oil and sanctions against Russia.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jun 30, 2022

The war in Ukraine and gas in the Western Balkans

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Russia has made inroads in the Western Balkans with its promises of plentiful gas supply. The EU and NATO must grasp the region's strategic value and work to promote efforts to diversify gas imports from alternative suppliers and build an expansive network of gas infrastructure.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 30, 2022

Lichfield cited in Marketplace on the risks of imposing a price cap, and Russian leverage from oil and gas revenue

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business
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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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Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals