Bernard Looney

Energy Markets: The Year Ahead for Oil, Gas and Renewables

Gregory Zuckerman, Helima Croft, Joshua Harris, Bernard Looney, Michael Smith, Greg Zuckerman

Panelists projected that global oil demand will likely exceed current levels for the next two decades, supported by resilient growth in aviation, marine transport, and petrochemicals despite a forward price curve signaling long-term uncertainty. Strategic shifts are underway as private equity firms acquire distressed shale assets at break-evens between $30 and $60 while companies like BP and Apollo pivot toward midstream infrastructure and natural gas to serve as an essential bridge fuel for grid stability. Geopolitical leverage is simultaneously realigning with U.S. energy independence displacing traditional exporters, forcing major producers to secure captive markets in India and China while navigating significant investment risks in regions like Mexico.