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

Can global energy markets withstand the attack on Saudi oil?

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
Can global energy markets withstand the attack on Saudi oil?

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
Can global energy markets withstand the attack on Saudi oil?

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

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2019

Can global energy markets withstand the attack on Saudi oil?

By David A. Wemer

Atlantic Council experts react to the September 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities and what it means for global energy markets and the wider region.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

In the News

Sep 15, 2019

Cohen in Forbes: Why The Brazen Attack On Saudi Oil Could Force The U.S. To Act

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Iran

In the News

Sep 15, 2019

Bell quoted in Axios on Saudi Aramco drone attacks

By Randolph Bell

Oil and Gas Saudi Arabia

In the News

Sep 11, 2019

Bell quoted in BBC Mundo on the role of oil in the Russia- Saudi Arabia relationship

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Spanish

New Atlanticist

Sep 9, 2019

Will a new energy minister shift Saudi oil policy?

By David A. Wemer

“The truth is no one knows if there will be any significant implications from the appointment of Prince Abdulaziz as energy minister," said Ellen Ward, nonresident senior fellow in the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center.

Oil and Gas Saudi Arabia

In the News

Sep 4, 2019

Cohen in Forbes: Trump loosens methane standards in a win for oil & gas industry

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas

IranSource

Aug 27, 2019

It’s time to admit that we don’t understand Iran’s economy

By Esfandyar Batmanghelidj

The United States is pursuing an “economic war” on the basis of a very crude understanding of Iran’s economy. Should the goal of its sanctions policy be havoc, such an understanding will suffice.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

EnergySource

Aug 26, 2019

Onboard the FSO SAFER: A preview

By Rohini Ralby, Dr. David Soud, and Dr. Ian Ralby

For over a year, I.R. Consilium, a family-owned global consultancy on maritime and resource security, has been monitoring the potentially disastrous situation involving the Safer, a tanker converted into a floating storage and offloading facility (FSO) off the coast of Yemen, and we have been working to motivate action on the matter before it reaches […]

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Aug 25, 2019

Ralby quoted in The Khaleej Times on oil tanker off Yemen coast

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas The Gulf

In the News

Aug 23, 2019

Bell quoted in US News and World Report on Saudi Arabia’s ties with China

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Saudi Arabia
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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