EnergyCents

Global majors began expanding the footprint of their fuel retail stations in 2017 after more than a decade of site reductions. What explains this renewed enthusiasm for branded retail? IHS Markit Director Rob Smith, an expert in global fuel retail, joins EnergyCents this week to describe the changing role of fuel retail in a major's downstream portfolio as consumers redefine their expectations of...

The role of upstream exploration is changing as oil and gas companies prepare for growth in a lower-carbon business environment. IHS Markit Chief Upstream Strategist Bob Fryklund joins EnergyCents this week to discuss recent exploration success and trends, and consider the changing role of the business in energy-company portfolios. Ask Bob a question, or book 1-1 time: https://experts.ihsmarkit.co...

Californians approach the anniversary of 2020's unexpected blackouts during a year that has already seen extreme-weather events impact residents of Texas (winter cold) and the Pacific Northwest (summer heat). What should we expect as we enter August, often the hottest month of a U.S. summer? IHS Markit North American power experts Chad Singleton and Sam Huntington join EnergyCents this week to dis...

A sense of urgency will define the proceedings at the United Nations' 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) this coming November. Policy makers and private-sector participants will look to take action in addressing, what are increasingly viewed as serious, threats from climate change. IHS Markit energy-capital transition experts Conway Irwin and Peter Gardett join EnergyCents this week to frame t...

Global investment in biofuels continues to ramp up as the refining sector optimizes its portfolio beyond traditional fossil fuels. IHS Markit biofuels experts Christoph Berg, Jordan Godwin, and Kevin Lindemer join EnergyCents this week to discuss the rise in biofuels investment, and share their thoughts on the geographies and policies that are driving activity. Ask our experts a question or book 1...

More than 20% of Houston GDP relates to activities in the traditional energy industry – a sector that is being disrupted by innovation in low-carbon energies. How will the effects of this disruption compare to the economic decline observed in 1990s Detroit, whose GDP was heavily reliant on an evolving automobile industry? IHS Markit Regional Economist Karl Kuykendall joins EnergyCents this week to...

Upstream Capital Cost Service (UCCS) Discussions is a new addition to the Upstream Perspective podcast. In these conversations, analysts from the UCCS will discuss some highlights from their latest research. This month's conversation centers around the oil and gas labor market. In this episode, Upstream Cost & Technology experts Sheila Moore and Jeff Nitto will discuss changes they have seen in th...

Natural gas has historically reduced CO2 emissions when displacing coal in power generation and remains a significant player in the global energy mix in 2050 in almost long-term planning scenario. However, the lower carbon fossil fuel isn't wholly embraced by societies on a path to net zero. IHS Markit global gas expert Ed Kelly joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the complicated role of natura...

High-carbon imports into the European Union pose challenges to the EU reaching its net-zero ambition by 2050. A proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or CBAM, seeks to balance high-emitting industries' cost competitiveness with carbon consciousness, and may provide a template for managing the cost of emissions in international trade. EnergyCents welcomes European Climate Policy expert Coral...

The median first-quarter 2021 cash flow reinvestment rate for the oil-focused US E&Ps came in at an austere 43%, exceeding the expectations of many analysts. While one quarter does not make a trend, fiscal discipline is clearly a key focus of shale-sector executives to begin the year. EnergyCents welcomes IHS Markit shale-sector experts Andrew Byrne and Raoul LeBlanc to discuss the balance-sheet i...

Cleantech investors find themselves on a 'Solar Coaster' as equity volatility reflects the industry's challenge of meeting fast-growing demand through disrupted supply chains. IHS Markit solar veterans Edurne Zoco and Cormac Gilligan join EnergyCents to discuss the confidence in PV demand despite current challenges, and when to expect relief from current tightness. Have additional questions about...

IHS Markit expects annual spending on low-carbon Hydrogen production could increase to $50 billion (with a "b") by 2030, from around $50 million (with an "m") in 2020. Risks to realizing such growth include uncertainties around business models, industrial-sector commitments, and policy support. IHS Markit hydrogen experts Alex Klaessig and Julia Wainwright join EnergyCents this week to discuss the...

Oil markets find themselves in a good place as North America shale producers show continued restraint, and OPEC+ manages its response to post-COVID demand to support prices in a $60-$75/bbl range. IHS Markit oil experts Karim Fawaz and Reed Olmstead return to EnergyCents to discuss updates to their most recent supply forecasts, and what to be watching as more onlookers consider the possibility of...

President Joseph Biden's proactive commitment to low-carbon energy policy returns the United States to a leadership position within the international dialogue on climate. EnergyCents welcomes back IHS Markit Executive Director Peter Gardett to share his views on a Biden energy policy that prioritizes climate (or is it a climate policy that prioritizes energy?), and what to look for over the next s...

Specialized start-ups and diversified incumbents are in a race to develop next generation technology that will improve safety and performance of batteries used in electric vehicles. IHS Markit Batteries Expert Chloe Holzinger joins EnergyCents this week to provide an overview of the competitive landscape, and consider the evolving partnerships and rivalries among leading automakers and cell manufa...

The fate of Nord Stream 2 remains an open question as strategic interests from the EU, US, and Russia influence the gas pipeline's construction and potential in-service date: less than 200 km of pipelay remains to be completed. IHS Markit European Gas Market expert Laurent Ruseckas joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the current status of the Russia-to-Germany pipeline, and the potential role o...

US project-specific corporate renewables demand is projected to more than double to $17 billion over the next decade from less than $8 billion in 2021. IHS Markit's Financial Advisory Lead Peter Gardett joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the trend, and consider the various financing structures that will enable a lower carbon future. Send us your comments or question: energycents@ihsmarkit.com

Nearly all forms of renewable energy continue to attract investment as myriad technologies fight for market share amid a rapidly changing energy landscape. IHS Markit's Head of Global Cleantech Research Eduard Sala de Vedruna joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the growth of global renewables, and consider differences in momentum by region and by technology. Send us your comments or questions:...

Economic activity is set to rebound after 2020s COVID-induced lockdowns, and oil prices are up more than 30% since January in response. The prudence of a reorganized shale sector will be tested, as operators are asked to temper any supply-growth ambition. IHS Markit shale experts Reed Olmstead and Prescott Roach join EnergyCents to discuss the resilience of the sector, and share views on how commi...

Barriers to entry rise for offshore wind projects as oil and gas majors and large-scale utilities partner and/or compete to win in one of renewable energy's more consolidated sectors. IHS Markit Global Cleantech Research Analyst Andrei Utkin shares his observations with EnergyCents on the competitive environment for offshore wind, and how big of a role we should expect the sector to play in the fu...

The shale and solar sectors have profoundly disrupted their respective markets over the past decade. But each is expected to follow very different paths in the future. IHS Markit's Raoul LeBlanc, an expert in shale, and Cormac Gilligan, an expert in solar, join EnergyCents to share their views on the two technologies' paths thus far, and expectations for the future. Send us your comments or questi...

Texas suffered through an arctic blast during the week of 15 February 2021 that left millions without power after the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) was faced with dual challenges of a demand surge and power-supply shortfall. IHS Markit North American Power Market Research Directors Doug Giuffre, Mike Pickens, and Wade Shafer join EnergyCents to discuss the events in Texas, contrast...

A dramatic recovery in price, over a relatively short amount of time, amidst a global-wide pandemic. The oil market is, once again, full of surprises. In this episode, Karim Fawaz quarterbacks a conversation about the strong conviction that has seemingly emerged in the market and how now it will be up to the fundamentals to prove the market right over the next few months. Send us your comments or...

Institutional investors are showing renewed interest in energy-sector equities in 2021 across both traditional and low-carbon themes. IHS Markit Research Directors Michael Schpero and Brian Manalastas return to EnergyCents to discuss the trend in more detail, and share expectations for the future. Send your comments and questions: energycents@ihsmarkit.com.

2020 served as a pivot point for the upstream industry; the Energy Transition has accelerated and operators and service companies will continue working towards decarbonizing their operations and supply chains. In this episode of Upstream In Perspective, Upstream Cost & Technology expert Prashanth Pillai discusses how the industry is doing in these efforts and how those results may be different for...