Venezuela sits on some of the largest oil reserves on the planet — but after years of nationalisation, sanctions, brain drain and crumbling infrastructure, is that oil actually worth the trouble?

In this episode, we step away from the politics and dig into the realities of reviving Venezuela’s oil industry. What would it take to get production back online? Who would invest, who would take the risk, and how long would it really take to make a difference to global oil markets?

Joining the discussion alongside E+T regulars Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran is Alan Gelder, senior vice president of refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie, who brings a clear-eyed view of the technical, financial and geopolitical hurdles — from heavy crude and broken refineries to sanctions, emissions, and investor confidence.

Is Venezuela a future energy powerhouse waiting to be unlocked — or an uninvestable headache in a world already awash with oil?

"Resources that are in unstable regimes that look like they’re very costly to develop and also have a very high emissions intensity, don’t go to the top of the list.”

What difference can a President make in a year at the helm of the IET? How do individual agendas fit in with the overall strategy of the IET? And how do you measure success? These are some of the issues E+T's editor Tim Fryer put to the new President of the IET Dawn Ohlson. The conversation highlighted the importance to the IET of volunteering and why this is core to Dawn's objectives for the year.

Electric Vehicles are seen as part of a sustainable future, but irrespective of affordability and appeal, are there more fundamental issues facing the electrification of the car fleet? Have we optimised the technology and, more specifically, do we have the resources to fulfil future requirements? Essential materials are not always abundant. E+T’s Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran discussed the issues with Louis Piper, Professor of Electrochemical Materials at WMG, University of Warwick.

Join ABB and E&T Magazine as we explore how ABB Large Motors and Generators are helping industries reach new levels of energy efficiency and performance. Learn more about ABB’s Top Industrial Efficiency (TIE) campaign and how our technology solutions can help optimise your operations.

Explore the full TIE story: 
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In this episode of E+T of the Page, Tim Fry, Jack Loughran, Tanya Weaver, and guest Oliver Deed, co-founder of communications consultancy ECF, explore why public opinion and the built environment are often at odds—and how better communication could help bridge the gap. The discussion ranges from the challenges of planning major infrastructure and housing projects to the role of developers in ensuring local communities are happy with their projects. From HS2 to local housing schemes, the conversation highlights how trust, transparency, and genuine dialogue can turn conflict into solutions and help ease Britain’s housing shortage.

From the first pacemakers of the 1950s to cutting-edge brain and spinal cord stimulation, implantable medical devices have come a long way – but the real breakthroughs might still be ahead. In this episode of Off The Page, E&T’s Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran speak with Professor Nick Donaldson of University College London about the science, engineering, and ethics behind modern implants.

We explore how bioelectronic medicine could transform treatment for spinal injuries, chronic pain, mental illness, and inflammatory diseases – and why regulation, cost, and complexity still stand in the way. From restoring lost movement to the possibility of “programmable” implants for a range of conditions, we discuss what’s real, what’s next, and what it will take to bring these innovations to patients.

The pace of gaming innovation between the years 1990 and 2010 saw a drastic shift from 2d sprites moving linearly across flat landscapes to fully-realised 3D worlds presenting an almost limitless array of gameplay options. 

But as development costs skyrocket and physical hardware reaches its limits, the question becomes: where does gaming go from here? Have we now entered an era of diminishing returns where AAA games cost more than your average Hollywood film only to deliver a set of experiences that are long familiar to seasoned gamers? Or do promising technologies like AI, virtual reality, 5G and ray tracing offer a glimpse into a future of possibilities that gamers can only imagine?

 These are the topics discussed in this podcast with our special guest, Dr Mariza Dima. If you want to hear more from Mariza, she has her own podcast, Mixed Reality in Culture, that can be found here: 

 https://open.spotify.com/show/7m4PtmI26UaeabUUMLh8ph

The Smart City movement began when the enabling digital technology allowed a level of communication that made lives better for those living in the urban environment. But some of the impetus was lost as the technology was taken for granted. However, recent developments appear to be allowing more tangible progress now - our cities could be getting smarter again!

While most of us agree that it is not, there are issues causing increasing  concern.

Rocket launches, space debris and obsolete space equipment burning up on re-entry all have environmental consequences down here as well as up there. Should we be more careful with our space endeavours?

In this episode of E+T: Off the Page, the team explores the growing landmine crisis in Ukraine, now the most heavily mined country in the world after three years of war with Russia. Host Tim Fryerspeaks with Michael Nevard, director of capability at the Halo Trust, about the devastating impact of landmines on civilians and the long-term challenges of de-mining. 

The discussion focuses on how Halo employs local Ukrainians to safely clearmines to help communities reclaim their land. Nevard also explains how land mine technology has evolved, which can make detection and removal increasingly complex. 

The conversation also highlights the broader, global issue of landmine contamination, referencing Cambodia, Syria,and Afghanistan, where decades-old mines still maim civilians. In addition, the team explores the financial and logistical hurdles of de-mining, while stressing its humanitarian and economic benefits.