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

Energy interconnections: A tool for stability or a vector of geopolitical risk?

UkraineAlert Apr 9, 2025

Putin’s Arctic ambitions: Russia eyes natural resources and shipping routes

By Bohdan Ustymenko

Russia’s plans to expand its influence in the Arctic region and dominate the Northern Sea Route together with China pose serious security challenges for the international community, writes Bohdan Ustymenko.
China Conflict
Energy interconnections: A tool for stability or a vector of geopolitical risk?

EnergySource Mar 28, 2025

Nord Stream could divide Europe yet again 

By Michał Kurtyka

Washington’s potential reset with Moscow, amid Ukraine peace negotiations, has revived discussions on the future of Nord Stream 2. Whether the Trump administration would cede its LNG market in Europe to Russian pipeline exports remains to be seen. For Europe, however, reopening the pipeline would be a costly mistake.
Eastern Europe Economy & Business
Energy interconnections: A tool for stability or a vector of geopolitical risk?

MENASource Mar 13, 2025

Why now is the right time for ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran’s oil exports

By Scott Modell

Iran is more vulnerable than it has been in decades; the United States can deliver a decisive blow to Tehran and set the stage for a more stable and secure future.
Defense Policy Economy & Business

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 28, 2021

As the aviation industry recovers from one crisis, it is looking to the next: climate change

By Katherine Golden

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated “the most severe crisis for aviation ever,” said Marc Hamy, vice president of corporate affairs, sustainability, and environment at Airbus. But there's another crisis on the horizon for the aviation industry: “increasing pressure coming from climate change. So we absolutely need to recover from this crisis in aviation, and at the same time we’ll have to manage the most important transition in the history of our sector: decarbonized aviation.” Hamy added.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Jan 19, 2021

The world is about to embark on a big energy transition. Here’s what it could look like.

By Katherine Golden

“Real friends say the bitter truth,” said Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Forum. And “the bitter truth is that real energy transitions are coming, and they are coming fast.”

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Abu Dhabi Skyline

Global Energy Agenda

Jan 18, 2021

The 2021 Global Energy Agenda

By Randolph Bell, Jennifer T. Gordon, Paul Kielstra, and Andrew Marshall (Editors)

The inaugural edition of the Global Energy Agenda provides context for the unprecedented year that has passed. It features a survey of thought leaders in the energy sector, as well as a series of essays by the leading figures in energy, to set the energy agenda for 2021.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
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Content

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Energy interconnections: A tool for stability or a vector of geopolitical risk?

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council 2020 Global Energy Forum Energy Interconnections: A Tool for Stability or a Vector of Geopolitical Risk? Speakers: H.E. Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Energy and Industry of the United Arab Emirates Thorsten Herdan, Director General, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany Ramzi Mroueh, Managing Director, Origination, Cheniere Energy Inc. […]

Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

The great gas debate: The role of gas in the energy transition

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council 2020 Global Energy Forum The Great Gas Debate: The Role of Gas in the Energy Transition Speakers: Fatima Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC LNG Marco Alverà, Chief Executive Officer, Snam S.p.A. Adnan Amin, Distinguished Fellow, Global Energy Centre, Atlantic Council Tom Earl, Chief Commercial Officer, Venture Global LNG Moderated By: Ambassador Richard […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Transitions

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Energy markets underestimate Middle East supply vulnerability

By Adal Mirza

Buoyed by ample supply, global energy markets continue to underestimate risks to output from the Middle East, despite the recent escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Gas in the energy transition: Bridge or the destination?

By David A. Wemer

“There are some who believe that gas should play no role in the global energy mix,” Ambassador Richard Morningstar, founding chairman of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, said at the introduction of a panel on the future of gas at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on January 12, 2020. At the other end of the spectrum, he added, some have “called gas a destination fuel that provides a clean baseload energy needed for the developed world to grow.”

Energy Transitions Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 11, 2020

Pathways to Net Zero

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council 2020 Global Energy Forum Pathways to Net Zero Speaker: Shaikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company Ahmed Ali Attiga, Chief Executive Officer, APICORP Meg Gentle, President and CEO, Tellurian, Inc. Adam Sieminski, President, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center Moderated By: David Livingston, Deputy Director, Climate and Advanced […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Forum

Jan 11, 2020

Gas imports remain key to Asia’s development plans

By Adal Mirza

Despite rising renewable energy generation, South and South East Asia will continue to look at major investments in new gas import infrastructure to displace more carbon-intensive fuels, as the region races to meet its development ambitions.

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Global Energy Forum

Jan 11, 2020

Climate commitments needed to head off threats of volatility and instability

By Adal Mirza

A widening gap between perceptions and reality of the global energy markets could increase volatility as governments, policy makers, and industries struggle to tackle climate change, according to Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jan 10, 2020

Cohen in Forbes: Oil Markets Prove Resilient In Aftermath Of Iran Attacks – For Now

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 9, 2020

Bechev speaks with The Times of London on Russia and the opening of Turkstream

By Atlantic Council

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

International grid integration: Efficiencies, vulnerabilities, and strategic implications in Asia

By Phillip Cornell

In order to meet growing global demand for electricity, and in response to an increase in renewables, power networks and markets are evolving and becoming increasingly interconnected. South and Southeast Asia have already had some success with interconnections, and China’s vision and Belt and Road Initiative loom large in the region, but there are geopolitical concerns to contend with. Could a US model manage these concerns? What is the state of regional power markets in Asia and investment in regional grid infrastructure, and what responses are we already seeing to emerging trends?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance
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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

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

Fellow

Inwook Kim

Nonresident Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Geopolitics & Energy Security
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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