Building growth strategies on shifting sands
Supply and demand fundamentals are being disrupted by trade tensions and uncertainties over the energy transition
Although the oil and gas industry has always been volatile, there was nonetheless a comfortable predictability to the boom and bust pendulum. Those days, however, appear to be over, at least for now. A combination of erratic and sometimes inscrutable commodity price fluctuations, ambiguity about the future of fossil fuels and increasingly contentious trade negotiations around the world are upending traditional supply and demand fundamentals, bringing a host of new challenges with no clear answers. It could be said that this year, oil and gas executives are essentially trying to set a growth course for their companies on shifting sands. Additionally, ambiguity surrounding the future of fossil
Also in this section
17 July 2025
US downstream sector in key state feels the pain of high costs, an environmental squeeze and the effects of broader market trends
16 July 2025
Crude quality issues are an often understated risk to energy security, highlighted by problems at a key US refinery
15 July 2025
Government consultations on the windfall tax and the exploration licence ban are positive steps, but it is unclear how long it will take for them to yield tangible outcomes
15 July 2025
A brutally honest picture about the potential role of oil and gas in 2050 should prompt policymakers to not only reflect but also change course to meet vital energy needs
