Petroleum Economist Podcast
Petroleum Economist is designed for industry professionals, our show stands out as the leading strategic audio platform that brings the dynamic world of hydrocarbons to your ears. Our episodes feature insightful discussions, exclusive interviews with subject matter experts, and in-depth analysis of the latest trends and developments shaping the global energy landscape.
Episodes
What’s up with oil? The riddle of the unbalanced oil market
Welcome to the latest podcast series launched by Petroleum Economist: 'What’s up with oil?' How can oil prices get back to where they were before the Middle East crisis with all those barrels lost? And are we already heading for a glut before we have fully shaken off the risk of a physical shortage? We examine these fundamental conundrums.
What’s up with gas? A long-term geopolitical premium for Middle Eastern LNG
Welcome to another episode of a new podcast series launched by Petroleum Economist: 'What’s up with gas?' We are not out of the woods yet with regards to the US-Iran conflict, with resolution still not assured. In the meantime, we look at what the disruptions mean for Qatar's long-term role in the LNG space.
What’s up with gas? Importers struggle as crisis drags on
Welcome to another episode of ‘What’s up with gas?’, a podcast series by Petroleum Economist covering key developments happening in the natural gas space.The global energy crisis is deepening, with no tangible progress in US-Iran peace talks that could end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. We examine how key import markets in Europe and Asia are faring, and whether the EU can still deliver on
Decarbonizing industry: Strategies and technologies discussion with the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy
In this episode, Charles McConnell, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, discusses the evolution of carbon capture, utilization,and storage (CCUS), its market dynamics in the U.S. and Europe, and the future of energy transition investments. Insights include the importance of monetizing CO2, industry decarbonization strategies, and technological innovations in monitoring and reporting.
What’s up with gas? Europe faces gas crisis 2.0
In this episode, we discuss the implications of the Hormuz blockade on the European gas market and beyond. Europe was already facing supply insecurity after a cold winter, and the blockade and a thinly veiled threat by Putin to halt remaining gas flows are piling on further pressure.
Energy dominance as diplomatic leverage
In this podcast, Petroleum Economist is joined by Matthew McManus to discuss how energy sanctions have become one of Washington’s most powerful diplomatic tools. Matthew is a visiting fellow at the National Center for Energy Analytics and a former senior US State Department official with more than three decades of experience working on international energy and economic policy.
There is no energy transition, says top US adviser Eule
More than three decades after the UNFCCC was signed, the energy transition’s global contribution to slowing the overall increase in CO2 emissions has been inconsequential. US energy expert and former US government adviser Stephen D. Eule tells Petroleum Economist’s Saniya Garyali that despite a plethora of new laws, rhetoric and money spent, decarbonisation goals are still as far away as ever.
AI, twins and tough choices: Navigating oil and gas in 2026
In 2026, what will define success in the oil and gas industry? In this podcast, industry experts Jorge Herrera and Aneel Bhandari examine the need to master cost control, risk visibility and operational discipline in a year that will squeeze margins and push asset productivity to the foreground. On the technology side, AI and digital twins are moving beyond back-office support to drive real-time d
Empowered to lead: The future is human
Denise Hamilton joins Rachel McGhie, conference director, WGLC to follow up from her electric keynote at WGLC 2025 in October. In this podcast they discuss why connection, communication and community are the skills leaders need most right now.
Why the oil & gas industry needs a physical twin of its assets—and how to build one
Next year could be pivotal for the oil & gas industry, as long-standing challenges in maintenance and asset management come back into focus. Many operators still face fragmented systems, limited visibility across engineering, safety and maintenance and difficulty linking day-to-day activities with business goals. In this episode, Gemma Fornes and Dennis Filthaus from Octave (formerly Hexagon)
Transforming oil and gas operations using AI: A discussion with the CEO of AIQ, Dennis Jol
Dennis Jol, CEO, AIQ, discusses the transformative role of AI in the energy sector, particularly in optimizing operations and enhancing sustainability. He highlights AIQ's collaboration with ADNOC and other global partners to develop innovative solutions that redefine industry roles and improve efficiency. The discussion also touches on the future of AI in oil and gas, emphasizing the potential fo
What’s up with gas? Europe’s big push to end Russian energy use, sanctions and trajectories for gas demand and supply
Welcome to the first episode of a new podcast series launched by Petroleum Economist: 'What’s up with gas?' The series will cover the key developments happening in the natural gas space. In this episode, we discuss sanctions on Russian energy and specifically the US position on ongoing purchases of Arctic LNG 2 cargoes by Russia, the EU’s bold plan to eliminate Russian energy use and the outlook f
Empowered to lead: Women making waves in subsea & offshore energy
In this episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, host Rachel McGhie speaks with Melissa Gould of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT-US) about the vital role women are playing in subsea technology, offshore energy, and the blue economy. Melissa shares how SUT’s Women in Industry initiative is building inclusiveness, encouraging participation, and inspiring the next generation
Empowered to lead: Equity, sustainability & the future of women in energy
In this episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, Rachel McGhie speaks with Lamé Verre, co-founder of Lean In Equity & Sustainability. Lamé shares her journey as an advocate and changemaker, the gaps she saw in representation across the energy and sustainability sectors, and how her platform is driving progress for women—especially women of color. Together, they explore why equity
Middle East has huge gas opportunity says top energy economist Nakhle
Middle East gas could provide an economic and more sustainable energy option especially in terms of meeting local demand, Crystol Energy CEO Carole Nakhle tells Petroleum Economist’s Paul Hickin. She warns against oversimplifying energy debates around peak demand, explains the evolutionary role of OPEC and talks about the importance of diversifying Middle East economies not just regional energy mi
US shale, OPEC+ spare capacity may underwhelm and support oil prices, says Standard Chartered’s Emily Ashford
OPEC+ spare capacity is much lower than the market consensus and US shale will also struggle to add extra supply in the second half of 2025 providing upside risk to oil prices, according to Emily Ashford. The Standard Chartered energy analyst tells Petroleum Economist’s Paul Hickin that while tariffs, trade and geopolitics add bearishness, much has been priced in and may be offset by a supply side
Policymakers need an energy education, says PRAGMA’s Amy Miller
Oil and gas can and should coexist with renewables, and policymakers must be aware of the risks to energy access, affordability and sustainability from sometimes ill-judged efforts to tackle climate issues and demonise energy companies, argues Amy Miller. The PRAGMA CEO tells Petroleum Economist’s chief economist Paul Hickin that it’s important to appreciate every country has a unique energy journ
Empowered to lead: Building confidence, careers, and community with Dress for Success Houston
In the debut episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, Conference Director Rachel McGhie sits down with Lauren Levicki Courville, President of Dress for Success Houston, to explore what empowerment looks like for women navigating economic independence, career growth, and leadership.Lauren shares the incredible work of DFS Houston—an organisation that has impacted close to 50,000 women
Cybersecurity: Advancing security measures to protect vital infrastructure
In this episode, Petroleum Economist sister title Hydrocarbon Processing spoke with Nav Sharma, Director of Product Management, Cybersecurity, Honeywell, on safeguarding assets from cyber attacks. This includes behavioural analytics and deception technologies, and what a truly proactive cyber defense system looks like in OT environments to protect vital infrastructure
Energy transition facts and fiction: NCEA’s Mark Mills dispels the myths
The energy transition is a false narrative that has caused vast sums of government money to be wasted warns Mark Mills, executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics. The US energy thinktank leader talks to Paul Hickin, chief economist of Petroleum Economist, about how Jevons paradox is a pivotal energy paradigm and the crucial role of hydrocarbons in meeting electrification needs
Oil prices may hit $50/bl before upswing, says EnergyRogue.com founder Brian Pieri
While oil demand is weakening and OPEC+ is bringing back barrels, a lack of non-OPEC supply—especially as US shale sputters—will likely see an oil market revival in 2026, says EnergyRogue.com’s Brian Pieri. Petroleum Economist’s chief economist, Paul Hickin, and Brian also explain why betting against OPEC is a fool’s errand.
The oil price conundrum: Tackling market risk with analyst Tamas Varga
Petroleum Economist explored the nexus of supply and demand fundamentals and the power of sentiment with Tamas Varga, a top oil analyst at PVM Oil Associates. With the IEA and OPEC unable to find a consensus on the oil outlook and many moving parts to tariffs, geopolitical risk, OPEC+ barrels and US production, a more nuanced approach to market direction may be required.
Oil companies and the transition: Discussion with author Dr Ian Palmer
Petroleum Economist talked to Dr Ian Palmer, solar space scientist turned oilfield engineer, about his book How Oil and Gas Companies are Pivoting Toward Climate Change, covering carbon capture, net-zero targets, batteries and the future of fossil fuels.
Saudi Arabia’s economic and energy strategy: Insights from Middle East expert Neil Quilliam
Petroleum Economist sat down with Neil Quilliam to explore how Saudi Arabia is balancing oil market management, growing its gas and LNG sector and developing its renewables strategy. Neil is involved with SRMG Think, Azure Strategy Consulting and Chatham House and explains how the Kingdom’s near and long term energy vision fits with its plans to diversify its economy.
Global refining analysis: Projects and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region
Part 2 of Petroleum Economist’s global refining analysis focuses on the Asia-Pacific region. This episode details major initiatives that are leading to additional capital expenditures for refining capacity additions, including the ability to satisfy domestic fuel demand, higher biofeedstock blending, increasing SAF production, the inclusion of petrochemical units in existing refining infrastructur
Global refining analysis: Project numbers and future builds
In this latest series, Petroleum Economist will analyze the global refining industry. This first episode provides a breakdown of active projects globally, current capital spending on refining projects, and future distillation and secondary unit capacity additions.
OPEC, tariffs and the crude conundrum: A discussion with Sparta’s senior oil analyst Neil Crosby
Petroleum Economist sat down with Neil Crosby, AVP Oil Analytics at Sparta Commodities to discuss how the recent US move on tariffs and the decision by OPEC+ to bring back extra barrels is creating a disconnect between sentiment and physical market reality that at some point will surely meet in the middle?
Leveraging AI to Maximize the Value of Oil & Gas Digital Twins
Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining the role of digital twins in the oil and gas industry, enhancing their ability to optimize operations, improve safety and reduce costs. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets and processes—are already transforming maintenance strategies, streamlining production and ensuring asset reliability. However, AI takes this further by enabling real-time
Global hydrogen analysis-Part 2: Africa
Petroleum Economist continues its global analysis into the global hydrogen value chain. This episode provides a detailed analysis of capital spending, regulations, partnerships and the potential Africa has to boost low-carbon/zero-carbon hydrogen production.
Global hydrogen analysis-Part 1: Capital spending and project development
In this mini-series, Petroleum Economist takes a deep dive into the global hydrogen value chain. Part 1 provides a forecast of global hydrogen demand, as well as capital spending and active project developments.
Women in Leadership: A discussion with Carol Lloyd, Vice President, Planning and Stewardship, ExxonMobil
Continuing with Gulf Energy Information's Women in Leadership series, we welcome Carol Lloyd, Vice President, Planning and Stewardship, ExxonMobil. In this episode, Ms. Lloyd discusses various aspects of her respected career, including mentorship, building a professional network, increasing credibility and influence within an organization, and other aspects of being a leader in the energy industry
Outlook 2025: The LNG market–stuck in the middle
This episode dives into the outlook for the LNG market in 2025 and beyond, including how LNG will be traded and supply and demand fundamentals moving forward.
Trump's impact on global energy markets
In this episode, adapted from the Gulf Energy Information webcast, the editors of World Oil, Petroleum Economist, Pipeline & Gas Journal, Hydrogen Economist and Hydrocarbon Processing discuss how Trump's incoming administration will shape global energy markets and the effects of future policy and regulations. Key topics include regulatory changes, adjustments in subsidies and taxes, and potent
The next generation of digital twins
Digital twins are now widely accepted as a mainstream technology, transforming industrial facilities worldwide.
A recent survey of 660 senior executives across 11 industries demonstrated clear operational benefits, with average cost savings and revenue gains of 19%. The next generation of digital twins, however, will play an even more strategic role by addressing critical challenges faced by as
Petrochemicals: Decarbonization and circularity, a discussion with Amanda Martin of the Global Impact Coalition
In this episode, Petroleum Economist speaks with Amanda Martin, Global Communications Lead, Global Impact Coalition, to discuss how her organization is working with some of the largest petrochemical/chemical producers to reduce carbon emissions and facilitate circularity in the global petrochemicals sector.
Women in Leadership: A discussion with Caroline Alting, Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence, Noble Corporation
Leading up to the Women's Global Leadership Conference in Energy, Gulf Energy Information sat down with Caroline Alting, Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence, Noble Corporation. In this episode, Ms. Alting discusses her career progression and the role of women in the oil and gas industry, including major inflection points of her career, advice for attracting and retaining female talent, a
The intertwined histories of the IEA and OPEC: A discussion with Neil Atkinson
Petroleum Economist sat down with Neil Atkinson, Independent Energy Analyst and former head of the Oil & Industry Markets Division of the IEA, to discuss the intertwined histories of the IEA and OPEC.
CCS Strategy Europe: opportunities and challenges in carbon capture
This episode of the Carbon Economist Podcast focuses on the current landscape and advancements in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Europe. Hosted by Paul Hickin, editor in chief at Carbon Economist, the episode features Caterina de Matteis, senior policy manager for IOGP Europe. Discussed topics include the challenges, advancements, and partnerships in CCS, cost and regulatory issues, commercia
US SPR should work in tandem with OPEC+, says oil expert Johnston
The oil market is waiting for clarity on oil demand given a lack of consensus over the outlooks outside the big consumers and is asking questions over oil balances mainly with gasoline and diesel given the arrival of big refiners like Dangote and the impact on the rest of the downstream industry, says Commodity Context founder Rory Johnston in an interview with Petroleum Economist editor-in-chief
Energy Oracles: Namibia has potential to match Guyana, says AEC’s NJ Ayuk
Namibia’s oil output may reach the same scale as Guyana and could demonstrate to both Africa and the world the transformative power of oil, says African Energy Chamber’s executive chairman NJ Ayuk. In a conversation with Petroleum Economist’s editor-in-chief, Paul Hickin, Ayuk points out the crucial and growing role gas will play in meeting the continent’s energy security, affordability and sustai
Energy Oracles: Navigating uncertainty in global oil markets with S&P Global's Jim Burkhard
In this episode of Energy Oracles, Simon Ferrie discusses the intricacies of the global oil market with Jim Burkhard, vice president of oil markets at S&P Global. Broadcasting from CERAWeek 2024, they analyse the diverging demand outlooks of OPEC and the IEA, the effects of OPEC+ supply constraints and the shifting dynamics of non-OPEC production. Insights into Russian oil flows, the impact of geo
Energy Oracles: Jeroen Van Hoof on the challenges of Europe's green transformation
In this episode of Energy Oracles, Stuart Penson, editor of Carbon Economist and Hydrogen Economist, is joined by Jeroen Van Hoof, Chair of the World Energy Council, Netherlands, and Chair of the 2024 World Energy Congress Organising Committee. They delve into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in Europe, focusing on the pathways to achieving net zero. Jeroen sh
Energy Oracles: Redesigning energy futures with Dr. Angela Wilkinson
In this episode of "Energy Oracles," Stuart Penson converses with Dr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO of the World Energy Council, about the nuances of the energy transition. Dr. Wilkinson shares insights from her journey towards advocating for sustainable energy practices, covering the importance of addressing energy transitions with a holistic approach, focusing on decarbonisation, div
Energy Oracles: Forecasting the unsteady future of global oil demand
In this episode, Simon Ferrie engages with David Fyfe, chief economist at Argus Media, in a deep dive into the current state and future outlook of the global oil markets amidst ongoing conflicts, economic sanctions and the unpredictable dynamics of supply and demand. They explore the significant divergences in OPEC and IEA demand outlooks, dissect the reasons behind slow demand growth and forecast
Energy Oracles: Insights from London International Energy Week
Join Paul Hickin, Stuart Penson, and Simon Ferrie in this episode of Energy Oracles, as they dissect their findings from London International Energy Week. They discuss the complex world where oil, gas, and green energy intersect, highlighting the massive challenge and rapid expansion of renewables, despite rising emissions and energy demand. The conversation also covers the pivotal role of non-OPE
Energy Oracles: US LNG export freeze draws energy battle lines
A pause on US LNG export approvals suggests gas will be ultimate political football ahead of the US elections. Petroleum Economist’s Editor-in-chief Paul Hickin and Seth Haskell a research analyst at Global Energy Infrastructure discuss the significant projects at risk from the move, how LNG fits into the energy trilemma debate for the US and who could be potential winners and losers.
Energy Oracles: Strategist Vakhshouri says transition mustn’t undervalue energy as a human right
COP28 was a ‘pragmatic’ step in the right direction as energy sustainability must work in tandem with security and even more importantly affordability, says Sara Vakhshouri, founder and president of SVB Energy International. In a conversation with Petroleum Economist’s editor-in-chief, Paul Hickin, Vakhshouri argues the solution to the trilemma relies on diversity of supply, allowing individual co
Wood PLC—Engineering Contractor’s Perspective on Digital Twins
With 35,000 professionals, across 60 countries, UK based Wood plc are one of the world’s leading consulting and engineering companies operating across Energy and Materials markets. Whilst ranked in top three engineering firms in Oil & Gas, Refining & Petrochemicals, 22% of their $5.5 billion revenues are now generated from sustainable solutions. In this episode of the Octave (formerly Hexa
Modular compression solutions to scale up CCUS
The deployment of CCS and CCUS globally is accelerating as it now widely acknowledged as one of the key technologies for achieving net-zero and the limiting of global warming to 1.5 degrees. Crucial to the performance of all carbon capture systems as the industry scales up is CO2 compression. Carbon Economist is delighted to host this exclusive podcast with MAN Energy Solutions to explore its uni
Energy Oracles: Saxo’s Hansen sees potential oil market floor and ceiling
With OPEC+ prepared to defend $75–80/bl and buyers adjusting to elevated prices, the oil market may have found a new Goldilocks price—one that is neither too hot nor too cold for producers and consumers alike. Ole Hansen, head of commodity research at Saxo Bank, tells Paul Hickin, editor-in-chief at Petroleum Economist, that while geopolitical risks could cause the market to spike, economic fundam
