Energy risk in all shapes, all sizes
Geopolitics may be bullish or bearish. But it will almost certainly bring volatility to the oil market
The beverage options in Calgary restaurants just narrowed. On 6 February, Alberta's premier Rachel Notley announced that her province was now banning imports of wine from British Columbia (BC). It is the first shot in a budding trade war between the neighbouring provinces. BC is blocking the expansion of a pipeline from the oil sands to the Pacific Coast. Notley now says that unless BC lifts its objections, Alberta might stop trading electricity across the border. For Alberta, the BC foot-dragging over Kinder Morgan's C$7.4bn ($5.8bn) plan to almost treble capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, to 890,000 barrels a day, is serious stuff. Evacuation capacity from the oil sands will be insuf
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub






