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

Expert context: What’s going on with Trump and the Panama Canal?

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
Expert context: What’s going on with Trump and the Panama Canal?

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
Expert context: What’s going on with Trump and the Panama Canal?

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 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

Jan 27, 2025

Expert context: What’s going on with Trump and the Panama Canal?

By Atlantic Council experts

With US President Donald Trump focusing on the critical waterway early in his second term, Atlantic Council experts explain how the canal came about, why it matters today, and what to expect next.

Economy & Business Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2025

Trump’s clear path to securing US oil and gas dominance

By Richard L. Morningstar, Landon Derentz

The United States should seize on this moment to ensure long-term US LNG exports to Europe permanently replace Russian natural gas flows.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jan 23, 2025

‘Maximum pressure’ sanctions on Venezuela help US adversaries, hurt Venezuelans

By William Tobin

The "maximum pressure" strategy employed from 2018 to 2022 against the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela did not serve US interests. In this issue brief, the author argues that US sanctions must be linked to clear, targeted objectives.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jan 22, 2025

Seven questions (and expert answers) about Trump’s first actions to transform US energy

By Atlantic Council experts

Trump began his second term with a slew of statements and executive orders affecting energy. Atlantic Council experts decode what the changes will do and what to expect next.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jan 17, 2025

Syria’s energy sector and its impact on stability and regional developments

By Brenda Shaffer

An analysis of Syria’s energy resources and infrastructure, and outlook on the future of Syrian energy production and trade.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jan 16, 2025

Webster quoted in Barron’s on new sanctions on the Russian oil industry

By Joseph Webster

Energy & Environment Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2025

East Asia’s energy security challenges can be mitigated by US LNG

By Landon Derentz, Joseph Webster, and Reid I'Anson

Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan should look into importing more US liquefied natural gas to strengthen their strategic relationships with the United States.

East Asia Energy & Environment

MENASource

Jan 13, 2025

Turkey’s Syria and Libya strategies add up to a Mediterranean power play

By Emadeddin Badi and Abdullah al-Jabassini 

By aligning its strategies in Libya and Syria, Turkey seeks to consolidate influence and amplify its leverage across both theaters.

Defense Policy Drones

New Atlanticist

Jan 10, 2025

Experts react: What does Maduro’s third-term power grab mean for Venezuela’s future?

By Atlantic Council experts

Strongman Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year presidential term on January 10, six months after a stolen election.

Corruption Elections

In the News

Jan 10, 2025

Khakova quoted in the BBC on US and UK sanctions on the Russian oil industry

By Olga Khakova

Energy & Environment 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