2020s oil price: beware black swans
Oil analytics firm OilX sees a gradual evolution of the 2020s market balance, although with both energy transition in demand and Opec renaissance in supply signalling downside
We anticipate that the 2020s—with the energy transition moving into full swing—to be a truly transformative decade for oil, but with demand largely influenced by two opposing forces the market could remain in equilibrium. On one hand, we see oil demand continuing to grow significantly in developing countries, particularly Asia. On the other hand, we expect the pace of the transition to pick up steam and for a series of environmental policies to be implemented, with a subsequent retarding effect on demand. Demand We forecast global oil demand to reach 108mn bl/d by 2030, with average yearly growth of more than 0.8mn bl/d. Based on demographic and GDP projections by international organisations
Also in this section
16 April 2026
Demand for oil is falling because supply cannot meet it, not because it is no longer required
16 April 2026
The continent has an immediate opportunity to make the most of its energy resources by capturing gas that is currently slipping away
15 April 2026
The continent is seeing political pushback to climate plans, corporate reassessment of transition goals and rising supply risk in a fractured global order
15 April 2026
The Middle East energy crisis may turn out to be pivotal to the industry’s long-term expansion, but significant challenges still stand in its way






