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

How oil turns antagonists to allies

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
How oil turns antagonists to allies

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
How oil turns antagonists to allies

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.

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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
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Content

EnergySource

Oct 15, 2018

How oil turns antagonists to allies

By Ellen Wald

Oil market dynamics can make for strange bedfellows, as overlapping economic interests can often trump entrenched regional rivalries or bilateral strife. That is not to say that oil markets are not vulnerable to geopolitical events—they are. Probably the most well-known and often cited example of a geopolitical issue to effect oil markets was the 1973 […]

Energy Markets & Governance Iran

Event Recap

Sep 25, 2018

New energy opportunities in Africa

By Africa Center and Global Energy Center

On the margins of the 73rd ordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and Global Energy Center hosted a half-day conference focusing on new opportunities for development across Africa’s energy sector. The event featured welcoming and introductory remarks by Dr. J. Peter Pham, Atlantic Council vice president and Africa […]

Africa Economy & Business

EnergySource

Sep 24, 2018

Contaminated fuel is poisoning global shipping

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

At least 200 merchant ships around the world have suffered serious, sometimes complete engine failure in recent months. Some of these vessels have been left helplessly adrift in the open sea. Others have run aground. Many have been carrying cargoes—crude oil, fuel, chemicals, containers—that could cause human or environmental catastrophes if the vulnerable ships were […]

Oil and Gas

Report

Sep 17, 2018

Three pipelines and three seas: BRUA, TAP, the IAP and gasification in Southeast Europe

By John M. Roberts

These projects, the BRUA pipeline, the Trans Adriatic pipeline, the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline, the Krk Island FSRU project, and gasification efforts in Southeast Europe, and broader support and financing for such projects is crucial, but there are also challenges in terms of which projects receive priority and how they might complement or compete with one another.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2018

Beyond the Three Seas: A strategy for extending the 3SI energy security vision to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova

By David Koranyi

In a new issue brief, “Beyond the Three Seas: A Strategy for Extending the 3SI Energy Security Vision to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova,” Global Energy Center Senior Fellow for Energy Diplomacy David Koranyi outlines the importance of the Three Seas framework for Ukraine and Moldova, and the importance of these countries for the […]

Oil and Gas

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2018

Beyond the Three Seas: A strategy for extending the 3SI energy security vision to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova

By David Koranyi

Ukraine and Moldova are crucial countries for European energy security and would benefit from enhanced interconnections in all three areas—namely energy.

Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2018

2+2 dialogue offers the United States and India an opportunity

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

New Delhi and Washington remain at odds over the Trump administration’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

Geopolitics & Energy Security India

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2018

What will Merkel decide on Nord Stream 2?

By Agnia Grigas

Given that Russia is known for using energy as a tool of foreign policy, exporting corruption via its business dealings and seeking to fracture the unity of the EU and NATO, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is about much more than gas for both Washington and the European Union.

European Union Eurozone

New Atlanticist

Aug 17, 2018

A breakthrough in Berlin? Not so fast.

By Jörn Fleck

Moscow’s vocal reaction to the new US sanctions may also signal Putin’s willingness to pursue a renewed dialogue with Germany.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Germany

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2018

Can lowering trade barriers fuel American energy exports to Europe?

By Barbara C. Matthews, Earl Anthony Wayne, and Richard Morningstar

The EU’s efforts to diversify its energy imports through increased reliance on American LNG exports therefore presents a geo-strategic opportunity to increase energy and political security in Europe and bolster the transatlantic relationship in the process.

European Union Germany
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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

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
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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