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

Livingston for Aspenia: America’s oil dilemma: Are low prices still the goal?

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
Livingston for Aspenia: America’s oil dilemma: Are low prices still the goal?

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
Livingston for Aspenia: America’s oil dilemma: Are low prices still the goal?

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

In the News

Mar 4, 2019

Livingston for Aspenia: America’s oil dilemma: Are low prices still the goal?

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Event Recap

Feb 27, 2019

New regional gas market dynamics under LNG expansion and the shale gas revolution

By Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Recent global and regional developments driving changes in regional natural gas markets as well as future trends have been discussed at the Atlantic Council IN TURKEY Program’s conference held in Istanbul on “New Regional Gas Market Dynamics under LNG Expansion and Shale Gas Revolution”. The conference gathered high-level representatives of the public and private sectors […]

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Feb 19, 2019

Gas and conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Nael M. Shama

In January, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority established the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) in an effort to coordinate energy policies and establish a regional gas market. The group will attempt to develop and organize the region’s rising gas market, allowing its members to tap their vast natural gas resources, […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security North Africa

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2019

The Three Seas Initiative explained

By David A. Wemer

As the United States looks to confront Russian and Chinese economic and geopolitical competition in Europe and across the world, the Three Seas Initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen the economies of US allies.

Central Europe Geopolitics & Energy Security

Global Energy Forum

Jan 18, 2019

Energizing conversations on oil at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi

By David A. Wemer

A look back at the highlights from the Global Energy Forum.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

Global Energy Forum

Jan 13, 2019

OPEC production cuts defended

By Ashish Kumar Sen

OPEC’s secretary general and its former president on January 13 defended the group’s decision to cut oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day from criticism that the cut is insufficient to address the slowdown in the market.

Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 13, 2019

Can the US shale revolution maintain its momentum?

By David A. Wemer

The key to extending the rapid growth of US shale will be harnessing new technologies to make harder-to-reach shale deposits more accessible and raising the success rate of shale recovery.

Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 13, 2019

Saudi Minister says oil market volatility ‘unjustified’

By David A. Wemer

"I remain convinced that we are on the right track and that the oil market will quickly return to balance," Khalid Al-Falih said.

Oil and Gas Saudi Arabia

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2019

The alternatives to coal: can gas, renewables, and nuclear work together?

By David A. Wemer

“There will be cooperation and there will be a competition—competition for selection… [but also] cooperation together to achieved the required reliability," said Fatima Al-Foora Shamsi, UAE’s assistant undersecretary for electricity and future energy affairs.

Nuclear Energy Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Jan 12, 2019

China is fueling up on LNG, but will it last?

By David A. Wemer

China is in the first phase of a comprehensive energy transition, during which time cleaner sources of energy—such as natural gas—will be vital.

China 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