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

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is willing to make up for energy shortfalls in Europe, says prime minister

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
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is willing to make up for energy shortfalls in Europe, says prime minister

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
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is willing to make up for energy shortfalls in Europe, says prime minister

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.

learn more

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
Load More

Content

Global Energy Forum

Mar 28, 2022

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is willing to make up for energy shortfalls in Europe, says prime minister

By Atlantic Council

Iraqi Kurdistan has achieved great strides, producing half a million barrels of oil and half a billion cubic feet of gas daily. But its tension with the federal government in Baghdad raises questions.

Crisis Management Energy & Environment

Global Energy Forum

Mar 28, 2022

Europe must confront Russia’s weaponization of oil and gas, say energy leaders

By Atlantic Council

Balancing short-term responses to the energy crisis of the moment while insulating from future energy-security risks will frame the next stage in the energy crisis for policymakers.

Climate Change & Climate Action Crisis Management

Global Energy Forum

Mar 28, 2022

How will today’s energy crisis impact the global energy transition?

By Atlantic Council

The move to clean energy is crucial, but solving today's energy crises will be also key.

Climate Change & Climate Action Crisis Management

Global Energy Forum

Mar 28, 2022

To prepare for the energy transition, policies must serve ‘real-world scenarios,’ says top UAE official

By Atlantic Council

In all the world's challenges—the ongoing pandemic, inflation, and, most recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine—energy plays a central role.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Global Energy Forum

Mar 28, 2022

Meet the global leaders powering the world’s energy transition

By Atlantic Council

The return of pre-pandemic energy consumption, threats of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, crises across Europe, and more have dampened hopes for a swift energy transition. But global energy leaders are no less determined.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Mar 27, 2022

Russian energy embargo: Europe must stop financing Putin’s Ukraine war 

By Diane Francis

Naftogaz CEO Yuriy Vitrenko has accused European countries of funding Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and called for an immediate embargo on all Russian energy exports in order to stop the war.

Conflict European Union

Report

Mar 27, 2022

Leading oil and gas into a net-zero world

By Alex Dewar, Randolph Bell, Reed Blakemore, and David W. Yellen

Oil and gas may have an important role to play in a net-zero world. This report examines the best ways to use policy and investment levers to set the sector up for success.

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

In the News

Mar 25, 2022

Sullivan in Arab News: Here’s what may happen if Russian oil and gas stops flowing into the EU
Oil and Gas Southern & Southeastern Europe

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Fulton’s report on great power relations in the MENA region mentioned by the Middle East Institute

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Friedlander included in Wall Street Journal In-Depth Features video on global sanctions against Russia

Watch the full video here.

Crisis Management Economy & Business
Load More

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
Load More

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