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

Nordstream 2: Too many obstacles, legal, economic, and political to be delivered?

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
Nordstream 2: Too many obstacles, legal, economic, and political to be delivered?

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
Nordstream 2: Too many obstacles, legal, economic, and political to be delivered?

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 12, 2020

Gas in the energy transition: Bridge or the destination?

By David A. Wemer

“There are some who believe that gas should play no role in the global energy mix,” Ambassador Richard Morningstar, founding chairman of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, said at the introduction of a panel on the future of gas at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on January 12, 2020. At the other end of the spectrum, he added, some have “called gas a destination fuel that provides a clean baseload energy needed for the developed world to grow.”

Energy Transitions Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 11, 2020

Pathways to Net Zero

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council 2020 Global Energy Forum Pathways to Net Zero Speaker: Shaikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company Ahmed Ali Attiga, Chief Executive Officer, APICORP Meg Gentle, President and CEO, Tellurian, Inc. Adam Sieminski, President, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center Moderated By: David Livingston, Deputy Director, Climate and Advanced […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Forum

Jan 11, 2020

Gas imports remain key to Asia’s development plans

By Adal Mirza

Despite rising renewable energy generation, South and South East Asia will continue to look at major investments in new gas import infrastructure to displace more carbon-intensive fuels, as the region races to meet its development ambitions.

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
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Content

Issue Brief

Nov 24, 2015

Nordstream 2: Too many obstacles, legal, economic, and political to be delivered?

By Alan Riley

While Nordstream 2 may once have seemed a politically and economically viable project, the Ukraine crisis has so altered the landscape that Gazprom may have taken on a project that is undeliverable.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Report

Nov 16, 2015

Iran’s energy policy after the nuclear deal

By Sara Vakhshouri

Following the lifting of sanctions on Iran's all-important gas and oil sector, Tehran will seek to develop an "economy of resistance" by building out commercial relationships that increase other states' reliance on it.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Oct 13, 2015

Crude oil for natural gas: Prospects for Iran-Saudi reconciliation

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Despite the sectarian barbs traded between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iran's unique ability to meet the kingdom's fast growing demand for electricity may help spur a reconciliation, and the two dominant energy producers do not necessarily need to see their energy production as competition.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Issue Brief

Sep 10, 2015

Energy sanctions and Russia: What comes next?

By Adnan Vatansever

The West has responded to the Kremlin's increasingly bellicose policy in the former Soviet space by imposing punitive measures against Russia's energy sector. The immediate impact of such measures appears limited as neither oil nor gas flowing from Russia is expected to suffer right away. However, the sanctions' long-term implications may prove more important.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Sep 1, 2015

Shaffer on Egypt’s Gas Find

By Brenda Shaffer

Nikkei Asian Review interviews Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer on Egypt’s gas field and the opportunities they offer Israel:

Energy & Environment Israel

In the News

Aug 31, 2015

Shaffer on Egypt’s Gas Discovery

By Brenda Shaffer

Reuters quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer on the effect Egypt’s discovery of gas will have on Israel’s gas exports: 

Energy & Environment Israel

Report

Jul 9, 2015

The impact of Turkish Stream on European energy security and the Southern Gas Corridor

By John Roberts

Russia has proposed building a major new pipeline intended to carry gas to customers in both Turkey and the European Union. The project, dubbed Turkish Stream, is controversial and is of profound significance for European energy security.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security
ArielCohenTopGraph

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2015

Systemic Violence Threatens Middle East Oil Outlook

By Ariel Cohen

When oil ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meet in Vienna on June 5, they’ll face a strategic dilemma. Political instability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is discouraging capital investment in local oil and gas projects, and shifting interest to North American shale—despite MENA’s cheap, abundant and easy-to-extract hydrocarbon […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Article

Jan 23, 2015

Anti-trust in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Brenda Shaffer

Five years ago, significant deposits of natural gas were discovered off the coast of Israel, followed in 2011 by a minor natural gas discovery offshore of neighboring Cyprus. These discoveries have catalyzed explorations in the greater Eastern Mediterranean region generating expectations of enhanced regional energy security and economic and environmental payoffs, benefits Israel has already […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

FutureSource

Nov 26, 2014

The Future of Energy: Shale, Bringing Energy Back to the West

By Jack Shaked

It seems like every day, an entirely new advancement or discovery is made in the energy sector. From solar to fusion to thorium, it is hard to determine what the future of energy will look like and what impacts these advances will have on the world. Over the next few weeks, The Future of Energy […]

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas
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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