International Energy Agency warns of low oil price danger
Governments should not count on oil prices remaining low when deciding their energy policies the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned
Energy companies have scaled back investments as oil prices have fallen, which will have serious implications for future projects, Fatih Birol told delegates at Singapore International Energy Week. Investments in oil projects have dropped more than 20% in 2015. The bulk of spending cuts affect projects in Brazil and North America. Worryingly, the IEA estimates that investments could fall further in 2016. “If true, it will be the first time in two decades that we see investment declining in two consecutive years and there could be grave implications for future oil markets”, said Birol. "One should think about the medium and long-term implications of this lack of investments." “Our message is
Also in this section
5 March 2026
Gas is a central pillar of Colombia’s energy system, but declining production poses a significant challenge, and LNG will be increasingly needed as a stopgap. A recent major offshore gas discovery offers hope, but policy improvements are also required, Camilo Morales, secretary general of Naturgas, the Colombian gas association, tells Petroleum Economist
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
4 March 2026
The US president has repeatedly promised to lower gasoline prices, but this ambition conflicts with his parallel aim to increase drilling and could be upended by his war against Iran
4 March 2026
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat






