In this episode, we dig into the latest Oil and Gas Trends Report, including fresh forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and major market-moving updates from OPEC+, LNG leaders, and upstream operators.

In Today’s Oil & Gas Highlights

✅ EIA projects weaker oil prices through 2026—and now into 2027
✅ Brent crude forecast drops to ~$56/bbl in 2026 and ~$54/bbl in 2027
✅ OPEC+ confirms it will pause planned output increases
✅ Global LNG demand outlook strengthens—IEA expects gas demand growth to accelerate in 2026
✅ Mitsubishi makes a $7.5B bet on Haynesville shale gas near U.S. LNG export infrastructure
✅ Europe’s growing reliance on U.S. LNG emerges as a major geopolitical vulnerability

Upstream & Market Watch

We also cover key developments impacting refinery capacity, drilling momentum, and decarbonization investments, including:
 🔻 Valero’s Benicia refinery shutdown in California, tightening West Coast fuel supply and increasing gasoline/diesel volatility
🔻 U.S. rig count softness (Baker Hughes: 544 rigs), signaling restrained upstream spending to start 2026
🔻 INPEX pausing its Bonaparte CCS project amid environmental and regulatory uncertainty in Australia

Bottom Line

This week’s trends point to a 2026 environment defined by tighter margins, prolonged oil price pressure, and LNG-driven growth, with geopolitics increasingly shaping global gas trade and energy security.

🎧 If you want the signals that matter—oil prices, rig counts, LNG supply, refinery capacity, and global energy policy—this episode is for you.

 #OilAndGas #EnergyMarkets #EIA #BrentCrude #OPECPlus #LNG #NaturalGas #UpstreamOilAndGas #RigCount #Haynesville #EnergySecurity #RefineryNews #CarbonCapture #CCS #Geopolitics #OilPriceForecast #Midstream #EnergyTransition

The global oil and gas industry is entering a critical transition period. In this episode, we break down the most important upstream industry highlights and explore what lies ahead for oil and gas markets in 2026, from oversupply risks to shifting demand and tightening margins.

We start with Norway’s long-term oil and gas policy outlook, as the government announces plans for a 2027 white paper that will shape offshore exploration, production priorities, and regulatory direction for one of the world’s most reliable energy suppliers. With Norway accounting for roughly 2% of global oil supply and playing a key role in Europe’s natural gas security, these decisions carry major implications for global investment strategies.

Next, we examine the global LNG market, where the International Energy Agency projects the largest supply expansion since 2019. New LNG export capacity from the United States, Canada, and Qatar is expected to drive demand growth in 2026, particularly across Asia, reinforcing natural gas’s role as a bridge fuel and accelerating investment in midstream and export infrastructure.

The episode also explores how digital transformation in oil and gas is reshaping competitiveness. As capital discipline tightens, operators are leaning into automation, advanced analytics, and drilling technology to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and protect margins in a softer price environment.

Finally, we dive into the 2026 oil market outlook, covering:

• Oversupply risks and record-level production growth
• Moderating oil prices and Brent crude forecasts in the mid-$50s
• Slower demand growth amid economic headwinds and efficiency gains
• Strategic responses focused on capital discipline, portfolio optimization, and risk management

Packed with insights from the IEA, EIA, Reuters, and leading industry analysts, this episode provides essential context for energy executives, investors, and professionals navigating a rapidly evolving oil and gas landscape.

Let's break down the most important global developments shaping upstream strategy as the industry prepares for 2026. From new exploration acreage in Australia to surging U.S. production and renewed interest in deepwater Gulf of Mexico opportunities, this episode highlights the trends that will define next year’s competitive landscape.

We explore why operators are shifting toward capital discipline, operational efficiency, and strategic portfolio balancing as global supply grows and demand signals remain uncertain. Whether you're an upstream leader, analyst, or investor, this episode offers actionable insights to help guide planning, budgeting, and risk management for the year ahead.

Episode Highlights:

• Australia opens new offshore & onshore exploration acreage
• Cenovus forecasts higher 2026 output after MEG acquisition
• Major Gulf of Mexico lease sale draws strong bids from BP, Chevron & Shell
• U.S. crude production hits a record 13.84M bpd heading into 2026
• Why capital spending is shifting from growth to efficiency
• Frontier basins and global LNG-linked plays present new opportunities
• Technology, ESG, and automation as key decision drivers for next-year strategy

As 2025 closes, upstream operators face a critical inflection point. With record production, shifting supply dynamics, and tightening investment criteria, success in 2026 will require agility, disciplined capital allocation, and a strategic blend of stable assets and global growth opportunities.

#OilAndGas #UpstreamEnergy #Energy2026 #OilandGasTrends #EnergyOutlook #UpstreamStrategy #OilProduction #USShale #PermianBasin #GulfofMexico #Deepwater #ExplorationAcreage #AustraliaEnergy #Cenovus #MEGEnergy #EnergyInvestment #EnergyMarkets #OilPrices #CapitalDiscipline #EnergyTransition #ESG #OilAndGasNews #EnergyPodcast #CommodityMarkets #GlobalEnergy #FrontierBasins #LNG #EnergyForecast #OilandGasIndustry 

In this episode of Oil and Gas Trends, we break down the most important global developments influencing upstream strategy as 2025 draws to a close. From major offshore gas investments to shifting U.S. supply dynamics and a cooling M&A environment, this episode delivers the insights upstream leaders need to prepare for a fast-changing energy landscape.

We cover how Egypt is positioning itself as a regional gas hub, why U.S. crude stockpiles are falling as exports surge, and what the latest slowdown in U.S. upstream deal activity means for operators heading into 2026. Plus, get updates on record U.S. oil production, Petrobras exploration approvals, and ExxonMobil’s progress on Guyana’s major gas development.

Episode Highlights:

• ExxonMobil selects McDermott for FEED on Guyana’s offshore gas project
• Brazil approves Petrobras drilling in the sensitive Potiguar Basin
• U.S. crude production hits a new record above 13.3M bpd
• Egypt targets up to $8B in new offshore gas investment
• U.S. crude inventories fall as exports strengthen
• Upstream M&A slows amid market uncertainty
• Strategic implications for upstream planning, capital allocation, and LNG positioning

As global investment shifts and supply dynamics evolve, upstream teams must stay agile. This episode offers actionable intelligence to help operators prepare for a dynamic end to 2025 and position for opportunity in early 2026.

 OilAndGas #UpstreamEnergy #EnergyMarkets #GlobalEnergy #OilandGasTrends #LNG #NaturalGas #EgyptEnergy #Petrobras #GuyanaOil #ExxonMobil #CrudeOil #USShale #PermianBasin #EnergySecurity #OilProduction #EnergyOutlook #EnergyPodcast #CommodityMarkets #Energy2025 #OilMarket #UpstreamStrategy #OilandGasNews #MergersAndAcquisitions #EnergyInvestment #OffshoreEnergy #EIA #OPEC #EnergyTransition 

Explore how upstream accounting teams can boost efficiency, accuracy, and confidence before year-end. From month-end acceleration to JIB cleanup, this episode delivers practical strategies for operators aiming to modernize their financial workflows and strengthen reporting integrity.

Episode Highlights:

• Year-End Accounting Tips for E&P Operators: Proactive steps to reduce post-close adjustments and streamline audits.
• How to Cut Month-End Close Time in Half: Automation, dashboards, and data integration that turn the close into a five-day process.
• Common JIB Mistakes (and Fixes): How to prevent ownership, timing, and coding errors that delay billing and partner confidence.
• Process Optimization in Action: Why accounting agility matters more than ever in a volatile oil and gas market.
• Industry Highlights: BP’s deepwater success offshore Brazil, the $156B oil-field water-handling boom, and upstream job losses signaling a market reset.
• Efficiency as a Competitive Edge: How digital transformation and smarter workflows are redefining financial performance in energy.

As oil prices fluctuate and budgets tighten, accounting efficiency has become the upstream industry’s newest differentiator. Tune in to learn how leading operators are automating close cycles, minimizing errors, and building momentum before year-end.

Unpack the next phase of transformation in global energy markets. From carbon-differentiated trade to emerging frontier investments, this week’s insights reveal how upstream operators are adapting to a volatile and rapidly fragmenting landscape.

Episode Highlights:

• Down-Cycle Warning: Analysts flag early signs of oversupply and a potential “mini bust” in global oil markets.
• Carbon-Differentiated Trade: Energy fragmentation accelerates as regional markets price carbon intensity into trade and finance.
• Technology Transformation: Electrification, AI, and automation drive emissions reductions and operational efficiency.
• Frontier Growth: Capital flows into emerging regions like Brazil, Algeria, and Nigeria, reshaping global upstream portfolios.
• Industry Highlights: Petrobras gains approval for deepwater drilling near the Amazon, Shell green-lights a 350 MMcf/d Nigerian gas project, and oilfield water management becomes a $156B market opportunity.
• Resilience Through Adaptation: How upstream professionals are balancing capital discipline, digital innovation, and ESG priorities.

As oil prices wobble and global trade realigns, the industry is entering a transformative phase defined by technology, sustainability, and frontier growth. Tune in to understand how leaders are preparing for what’s next in upstream energy.

Unpack the next phase of transformation in global energy markets. From carbon-differentiated trade to emerging frontier investments, this week’s insights reveal how upstream operators are adapting to a volatile and rapidly fragmenting landscape.

Episode Highlights:

• Down-Cycle Warning: Analysts flag early signs of oversupply and a potential “mini bust” in global oil markets.
• Carbon-Differentiated Trade: Energy fragmentation accelerates as regional markets price carbon intensity into trade and finance.
• Technology Transformation: Electrification, AI, and automation drive emissions reductions and operational efficiency.
• Frontier Growth: Capital flows into emerging regions of Brazil, Algeria, and Nigeria. Reshaping global upstream portfolios.
• Industry Highlights: Petrobras gains approval for deepwater drilling near the Amazon, Shell green-lights a 350 MMcf/d Nigerian gas project, and oilfield water management becomes a $156B market opportunity.
• Resilience Through Adaptation: How upstream professionals are balancing capital discipline, digital innovation, and ESG priorities.

As oil prices wobble and global trade realigns, the industry is entering a transformative phase defined by technology, sustainability, and frontier growth. Tune in to understand how leaders are preparing for what’s next in upstream energy.

Explore the shifting dynamics shaping the upstream energy sector as we enter Q4 2025. From billion-dollar deepwater approvals to policy reforms driving African output, our discussion highlights both opportunities and risks in a volatile market.

Episode Highlights:

• BP’s $5B Tiber-Guadalupe Deepwater Project – Why the U.S. Gulf of Mexico remains resilient and what it signals about long-cycle oil demand.
• Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act Reforms – How policy changes are attracting investment and boosting crude production.
• Market Volatility Factors – The “triple whammy” of OPEC+ decisions, China’s crude imports, and geopolitics.
• Permian Basin Electrification – New gas-fired power plants reshaping oilfield operations and emissions strategies.
• Capital Discipline vs. Optimism – How TotalEnergies, BP, and others are tightening investments while pursuing growth.
• Innovation in Flowline Risk Management – GIS + machine learning transforming field safety and predictive maintenance.

As the industry navigates uncertainty, operators are balancing capital discipline, operational efficiency, and adaptability. Tune in for expert insights into deepwater resilience, African growth potential, and how upstream players can prepare for shifting global dynamics.

The oil & gas industry is entering Q4 2025 with shifting fundamentals, new regulatory challenges, and evolving corporate strategies. In this episode, we break down the latest upstream trends shaping the market and what they mean for operators, investors, and decision-makers.

Industry Highlights:

• ExxonMobil greenlights $6.8B Hammerhead project in Guyana (150k bpd by 2029).
• U.S. oil & gas workforce shrinks, continuing a long-term labor decline.
• Accelerating decline rates drive capex pressure, with 90% of upstream spend just maintaining output.

Market Shifts:

• Iraq–Turkey pipeline restart adds 230k bpd to global supply, fueling Q4 oversupply concerns.
• BP cancels Rotterdam biofuels plant, pivoting to capital-efficient co-processing.
• Climate reports raise regulatory stakes, spotlighting emissions accountability and ESG-driven capital access.

Strategic Takeaways for Upstream Leaders:

• Hedge against Q4 price volatility
• Maximize operational efficiency to offset margin compression
• Prioritize low-breakeven assets in portfolio planning
• Integrate emissions monitoring & CCUS to stay ahead of ESG scrutiny

This quarter, agility will define success. With supply pressures, shifting energy transition strategies, and mounting regulatory headwinds, upstream companies must adapt quickly to maintain resilience and capture opportunity.

In this episode, we explore Nigeria’s historic pivot toward natural gas with its first-ever gas-only production sharing contract (PSC) under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Signed with TotalEnergies, this landmark deal could redefine Nigeria’s upstream future and reshape the global LNG market.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• Defining Contract: How the TotalEnergies PSC signals a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s upstream priorities.
• PIA in Action: Why this contract represents the most tangible outcome of Nigeria’s 2021 petroleum reforms.
• Gas Potential: With 210.5 Tcf of proven reserves, how Nigeria could become a global gas-export powerhouse.
• Infrastructure & Challenges: The critical role of pipelines, LNG capacity, and commercial structures in making the deal viable.
• Regional & Global Implications: How Nigeria’s move positions West Africa as a rising LNG hub and supports global demand for transition fuels.
• Gas as the New Frontier: What this means for upstream professionals navigating fiscal incentives, infrastructure risks, and new growth opportunities.

With global energy markets in flux, Nigeria’s pivot to gas represents both a bold experiment and a defining opportunity. For investors, IOCs, and upstream professionals, the stakes couldn’t be higher.