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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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Mar 30, 2018

The Saudi Public Investment Fund: The emerging financial vehicle behind Vision 2030

By Phillip Cornell

The $230 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF) is emerging as the central financial vehicle to consolidate and then exercise Saudi Arabian economic power in the service of goals outlined by the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). Its role in Saudi economic diversification makes the PIF the critical organ for realizing Vision 2030, and its […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Mar 26, 2018

Mexico’s presidential election: Energy reforms at risk

By David L. Goldwyn

Mexico’s historic and successful energy reforms are at risk in its upcoming Presidential elections. The leading candidate for the Presidency, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, referred to as AMLO, of the Morena party, has recently doubled down on his critiques of the reforms. He has pledged to review existing oil contracts, indicated he would require national […]

Energy Markets & Governance Mexico

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2018

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Key electric power decisions ahead

By Robert F. Ichord

Bilateral and global energy issues are front and center as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, arrives in the United States. While the biggest focus might be on Saudi Arabia’s vital role as the world’s largest crude oil exporter and the impact that growing US oil production and market influence are having […]

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Mar 19, 2018

Saudi Aramco’s downstream push will increase its value

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States Monday to much fanfare. One of the hot topics during the crown prince’s visit is the long-expected, much-anticipated privatization of Saudi Aramco. One major unanswered question surrounding the plan for privatization is where Saudi leadership wants to locate the initial public offering (IPO) for […]

Energy Markets & Governance Oil and Gas

EnergySource

Mar 16, 2018

Efforts to preserve the Iran deal made harder by the president’s moving goal posts

By David Mortlock

From the campaign trail to the Oval Office, US President Donald J. Trump has made no secret of his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and has more recently called for legislation and a new agreement with key European allies to supplement the deal. With the May 12 […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Report

Mar 15, 2018

Strategic oil product stockholding: International experience and US prospects

By Phillip Cornell

Reviewing existing oil product stockholding regimes worldwide, this report concludes that a decentralized and incremental implementation of strategic product reserves can allow the United States to address risks associated with oil product storage and delivery given the state of domestic infrastructure.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2018

Global Energy Center working paper highlights risks of Nord Stream 2

By Global Energy Center

In a new working paper, Global Energy Center Senior Fellow Alan Riley highlights the risks that could stem from the construction of the contentious proposed Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which would bring gas from Russia to Germany. In the working paper, Dr. Riley emphasizes that the proposed pipeline would have negative implications for European […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

Report

Mar 9, 2018

The collapse of the Venezuelan oil industry and its global consequences

By Francisco Monaldi

Venezuela is in a state of desperation as its oil industry—what are the factors leading to the oil collapse, sanctions options and their impact, the impacts of Russia’s and China’s increasing presence, and various short and long-term scenarios for the industry against a potential default?

Americas Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Mar 8, 2018

Responding to Russia: Time to back backhaul

By John Roberts

Did Gazprom’s sudden move to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine in early March give Europe a chance to secure an almost instantaneous improvement to its energy security? Gazprom’s response to what it saw as an adverse February 28 ruling by an arbitration court in Stockholm, effectively ordering the Russian gas giant to pay  $2.64 […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

EnergySource

Mar 6, 2018

Looming conflicts over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean

By David Koranyi

As the energy potential of the Eastern Mediterranean grows, so does the potential for conflict over resources. To reduce this potential, the United States and the European Union should play a more proactive role in defusing rising tensions in the region through two key channels of diplomacy. The United States and the European Union should […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Israel

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