Kenneth B. Medlock III
Biography
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., is the James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at the Baker Institute and the senior director of the Center for Energy Studies. He is also the director of the Masters of Energy Economics program, and he holds adjunct professor appointments in the Department of Economics and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University. Medlock is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan; he is a member of the Advisory Board of the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines; and he is a member of the Advisory Committee of the KAPSARC School of Public Policy. In 2012–13, Medlock held the prestigious Haydn Williams Fellowship at Curtin University in Perth, Australia.
Medlock teaches advanced courses in energy economics and supervises Ph.D. students in the energy economics field. He has published numerous scholarly articles in his primary areas of interest, which include natural gas markets, electricity markets, energy commodity price relationships, transportation, national oil company behavior, economic development and energy demand, energy use and the environment, and various energy transitions topics ranging from engineered and nature-based carbon capture to hydrogen to the economic drivers of technology adoption. He has testified multiple times on Capitol Hill on U.S. energy exports and electricity market evolution, has spoken at OPEC, and is frequently asked to speak about global and domestic energy issues.
Medlock is the past vice president for conferences for the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE), and he previously served as vice president for academic affairs. In 2001, he won (jointly with Ron Soligo) the International Association for Energy Economics Award for Best Paper of the Year in the Energy Journal. In 2011, he was given the USAEE’s Senior Fellow Award, and in 2013 he accepted the USAEE’s Adelman-Frankel Award for the Center for Energy Studies. In 2019, Medlock was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Advancement of the Education of Future Energy Leaders by the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Foundation. In 2025, he received the OPEC Award for Research in recognition of “a career dedicated to the objective study and balanced analysis of the energy sector.” He is also an active member of the American Economic Association and is an academic member of the National Petroleum Council. Medlock has also served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission in their respective energy modeling efforts.
Medlock received his Ph.D. in economics from Rice University in May 2000.
Contact at [email protected] or 713-348-3757.
Journal Articles
“Additionality Constrains Investment in Carbon Sequestration,” with Stan Kanneigeter, npj Sustainable Agriculture, 4, 40 (May 2026) DOI: 10.1038/s44264-026-00155-8.
“Carbon market development in Africa: Ethiopia as a model,” with Bezaye Tessema, Carrie Masiello, and Shih Yu Hung, npj Climate Action, 5, 43 (Apr 2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44168-026-00365-3.
“Operational Constraints and the Merit Order Effect in ERCOT,” with Peter Hartley and Shih Yu Hung, Energy Journal, Vol 47, Issue 3 (Mar 2026). DOI: 10.1177/01956574261425735.
“The Texas Deep Freeze of February 2021: What Happened and Lessons Learned?” with Peter Hartley and Shih Yu Hung, Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy, Vol 12, No 2, p. 5-30 (June 2023). DOI: 10.5547/2160-5890.12.2.phar.
“Debt and Optionality in US LNG Export Projects,” with Peter Hartley, The Energy Journal, Vol 44, No 2, p. 57-80 (June 2023). DOI: 10.5547/01956574.44.2.phar.
“Cheap Money, Geopolitics and Supernormal Backwardation of the WTI Forward Curve,” with Mahmoud El-Gamal and Amy M Jaffe, Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy, Vol 12, No 1 (2023). DOI: 10.5547/2160-5890.12.1.melg.
“COVID-19 and the Value of Safe Transport,” with Ted Temzelides and Shih Yu Hung, Springer Nature Scientific Reports (Nov 2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01202-9.
“Mercantilism’s Groundhog Day: The US-China Trade War and US Energy Exports to Northeast Asia,” with Ted Temzelides and Woongtae Chung, Energy Strategy Reviews (Nov 2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2021.100741.
“Shale Renders the ‘Obsolescing Bargain’ Obsolete: Political Risk and Foreign Investment in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta,” with Gabriel Collins, Mark Jones, Jim Krane and Francisco Monaldi, Resources Policy, Vol 74 (Nov 2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102269.
“Price elasticity of demand for fuels by income level in Mexican households,” with Araceli Ortega Diaz, Energy Policy, Vol 151 (Apr 2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112132.
“A Cost-benefit Analysis of the Jones Act: Petroleum Product Tankers,” with Igor Hernandez, Anna Mikulska and Ted Temzelides, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, Vol 55, Issue 1 (Jan 2021), p. 65-84.
“Water cost savings from soil biochar amendment: A spatial analysis,” with Jennifer Kroeger, Ghasideh Pourhashem and Caroline Masiello, GCB Bioenergy, Vol 13, Issue 1 (Jan 2021), p. 133-142. DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12765.
“Electricity Reform and Retail Pricing in Texas,” with Peter Hartley and Olivera Jankovska, Energy Economics, Vol 80 (May 2019), p. 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2018.12.024.
“Policy support for biochar: Review and recommendations,” with Ghasideh Pourhashem, Shih Yu Hung and Caroline A Masiello, GCB Bioenergy, Vol 11, Issue 2 (Feb 2019), p. 364-380. DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12582.
“Geopolitical Dimension of US Oil Security,” with Jim Krane, Energy Policy, Vol. 114 (Mar 2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2017.12.050.
“Valuing the air quality effects of biochar reductions on soil NO emissions,” with Ghasideh Pourhashem, Quazi Z. Rasool, Rui Zhang, Daniel S. Cohan, and Caroline A. Masiello, Environmental Science and Technology, 51, 17, 9856-9863 (Jul 2017). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00748.
“Employment Impacts of Upstream Oil and Gas Investment in the United States,” with Mark Agerton, Peter Hartley and Ted Temzelides, Energy Economics, Vol. 62 (Feb 2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2016.12.012.
“Geospatial, temporal and economic analysis of alternative fuel infrastructure: The case of freight and U.S. natural gas markets,” with Yueyue Fan, Allen Lee, Nathan Parker, Amy Myers Jaffe, Rosa Dominguez-Faus, Energy Journal, Vol 38, No 6 (2017). DOI: 10.5547/01956574.38.6.yfan.
“The Valley of Death for New Energy Technologies,” with Peter Hartley, Energy Journal, Vol 38, No 3 (2017). DOI: 10.5547/01956574.38.3.phar.
“A view to the future of natural gas and electricity: An integrated modeling approach,” with Wesley Cole and Aditya Jani. Energy Economics, Vol. 60 (Nov 2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2016.03.005.
“Energy Sector Innovation and Growth: An Optimal Energy Crisis,” with Peter Hartley, Ted Temzelides and Xinya Zhang, Energy Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1 (Jan 2016). DOI: 10.5547/01956574.37.1.phar.
“Employment impact from competing energy sources: Shale gas versus wind generation in Texas,” with Peter Hartley, Ted Temzelides and Xinya Zhang, Energy Economics, Vol. 49 (May 2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2015.02.023.
“A review of water and greenhouse gas impacts of unconventional natural gas development in the United States,” with Douglas Arent, Jeffrey Logan, Jordan Macknick, William Boyd, Francis O'Sullivan, Jae Edmonds, Leon Clarke, Hillard Huntington, Garvin Heath, Patricia Statwick and Morgan Bazilian, MRS Energy & Sustainability, Vol. 2 (2015). DOI: 10.1557/mre.2015.5.
“The Global Gas Market, LNG Exports, and the Shifting U.S. Geopolitical Presence,” with Amy M. Jaffe and Meghan O’Sullivan, Energy Strategies Reviews, Vol. 5 (Dec 2014). DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2014.10.006.
“The Relationship between Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices: The Role of the Exchange Rate,” with Peter Hartley, Energy Journal, Vol. 35, No. 2 (2014). DOI: 10.5547/01956574.35.2.2.
“Environmental, Economic, and Energy Assessment of the Ultimate Analysis and Moisture Content of Municipal Solid Waste in a Parallel Co-Combustion Process,” with Ana McPhail, Robert Griffin, Mahmoud El-Halwagi, and Pedro J.J. Alvarez, Energy and Fuels (Dec 27, 2013). DOI: 10.1021/ef401373n.
“Shale Gas in China: Prospects, Concerns, and Potential International Collaborations,” with Morgan Bazilian, Ascha Lychett Pedersen, Jacquelyn Pless, Jeffrey Logan, Francis O’Sullivan, and Jane Nakano, International Shale Gas and Oil Journal, Vol.1, Issue 1 (Sep 2013).
“Changes in the Operational Efficiency of National Oil Companies,” with Peter Hartley, Energy Journal, Vol. 34, No. 2 (2013). DOI: 10.5547/01956574.34.2.2.
“Modeling the implications of expanded US shale gas production,” Energy Strategies Review, No. 1, (Jan 2012). DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2011.12.002.
“Empirical Evidence of the Efficiency of National Oil Companies,” with Stacy Eller and Peter Hartley, Empirical Economics, (May 2011). DOI: 10.1007/s00181-010-0349-8.
“Potential Futures for Russian Natural Gas,” with Peter Hartley, Energy Journal, Special Issue, “World Natural Gas Markets and Trade: A Multi Modeling Perspective” (2009). DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol30-NoSI-6.
“A Model of the Operation and Development of a National Oil Company,” with Peter Hartley, Energy Economics, Vol.30, No.5 (Sep 2008). DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2007.12.017.
“The Relationship between Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices,” with Peter Hartley and Jennifer Rosthal, Energy Journal, Vol. 29, No.3 (2008). DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol29-No3-3.
“Future World Market for Natural Gas Highly Dependent on Interactions,” with Peter Hartley, Natural Gas and Electricity, Wiley Periodicals, Vol. 22, No. 1 (August 2005). DOI: 10.1002/gas.10048.
“The Economics of Energy Demand,” ed. Cutler J. Cleveland, Encyclopedia of Energy, Elsevier Press (April 2004). DOI: 10.1016/B0-12-176480-X/00133-9.
“Car Ownership and Economic Development with Forecasts to the Year 2015,” with Ron Soligo, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy (Spring 2002). DOI: 10.3828/jtep.2002.36.2.163.
“Economic Development and End-Use Energy Demand,” with Ron Soligo, Energy Journal, Vol. 22, No. 2 (2001). DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol22-No2-4.
Baker Institute Research Papers
“Prospects for Carbon Markets in Africa: Ethiopia as a Case Study,” with Bezaye G. Tessema, Caroline A. Masiello, and Shih Yu Hung, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (April 28, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/WJV1-CG38.
“Scenarios for Global Natural Gas Markets to 2050: The Dynamics of US LNG Exports, the Deepening Connection Between Oil and Gas Production, and Shifts in Global Demand,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (March 20, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/ZAET-5W61.
“US LNG Exports: Truth and Consequence Revisited,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (February 17, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/H0B7-6054.
“Ukraine’s Electricity Sector: Urgency and Resilience in a Time of War,” with Gabriel Collins, Houston: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (August 14, 2024). DOI: 10.25613/BC9H-J996.
“Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future,” Contributing Author, National Petroleum Council (April 2024).
“Charting the Course: Reducing GHG Emissions from the U.S. Natural Gas Supply Chain,” Contributing Author, National Petroleum Council (April 2024).
“ERCOT and the Future of Electric Reliability in Texas,” with Peter R. Hartley and Shih Yu Hung, Houston: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (February 7, 2024). DOI: 10.25613/EP4G-KW61.
“U.S. LNG Exports: Supply, Siting, and Bottlenecks: The U.S. Natural Gas Market in a Global Setting,” prepared for the Energy Futures Initiative, The Role of U.S. Natural Gas Exports in a Low-Carbon World (January 2023).
“Developing a Robust Hydrogen Market in Texas,” with Shih Yu Hung, Houston: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (February 16, 2023). DOI: 10.25613/YKKH-8K02.
“Strategic Response Options if Russia Cuts Gas Supplies to Europe,” with Gabriel Collins, Anna Mikulska and Steven Miles (Feb 11, 2022). DOI: 10.25613/32SK-5588.
“ERCOT Froze in February 2021. What Happened? Why Did It Happen? Can It Happen Again?” with Peter Hartley and Shih Yu Hung (Feb 2, 2022).
“The Future of Houston as Energy Transitions,” Baker Institute Report (May 2021). DOI: 10.25613/5A4S-SB83.
“Expanding Carbon Capture in Texas,” with Keily Miller, Baker Institute Research Paper (Jan 2021). DOI: 10.25613/9FFX-6H23.
“BCarbon: A New Soil Carbon Storage Standard,” with Jim Blackburn, Baker Institute Working Paper (Nov 2, 2020).
“Promoting Energy Market Stability in a Transitioning World,” with Hossa Almutairi and Axel Pierru, Policy Brief for T20 Solutions (Oct 2020).
“Refreshing Global Energy Security Policy and Infrastructure for the Energy Transition,” with Mark Finley, Morgan Bazilian and Steve Griffiths, Policy Brief for T20 Solutions (Oct 2020).
“Carbon Capture in Texas: Comparative Advantage in a Low Carbon Portfolio,” with Keily Miller, Baker Institute Research Paper (Jun 2020). DOI: 10.25613/9ffx-6h23.
“Price War and Pandemic: The Oil Market Reaction,” with Jim Krane and Mark Finley, Baker Institute Research Paper (Apr 2020). DOI: 10.25613/d772-t130.
“The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in Resource-Rich Regions: Research Protocol and Executive Summary,” with Keily Miller, Baker Institute Report from the working paper series on “The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in Resource-Rich Regions” (Feb 2020). DOI: 10.25613/MW6M-8T26.
“Mercantilism’s Groundhog Day: The US-China Trade War and Some Regional Energy Market Implications,” with Ted Temzelides and Woongtae Chung, Baker Institute Research Paper (Feb 2020). DOI: 10.25613/nkkj-9b05.
“Economic Assessment of Biochar Benefits,” with Caroline Masiello, Kyriacos Zygourakis, Christian Davis and Ghasideh Pourhashem, Shell Center for Sustainability (Sep 2017).
“Confronting Climate Change: Policies and Opportunities,” with Regina Buono and Shih Yu Hung, Baker Institute Conference Report as part of the French Ameri-Can Climate TalkS (Feb 2016).
“The Macroeconomic Impact of Increasing U.S. LNG Exports,” with Adrian Cooper, Michael Kleiman and Scott Livermore, U.S. Department of Energy (Dec 2015).
“Review of Sector and Regional Trends in U.S. Electricity Markets. Focus on Natural Gas,” with Jeffrey Logan and William C. Boyd, in Natural Gas and the Evolving U.S. Power Sector, Technical Report, NREL/TP-6A50-64652 (October 2015). DOI: 10.2172/1226162.
“To Lift or Not to Lift? The U.S. Crude Oil Export Ban: Implications for Price and Energy Security,” Baker Institute Research Paper (Mar 2015). DOI: 10.25613/1YWV-7Q35.
“Exploring the Role of Natural Gas in U.S. Trucking,” with Amy Myers Jaffe, Rosa Dominguez-Faus, Allen Lee, Nathan Parker, Daniel Scheitrum, Andrew Burke, Hengbing Zhao and Yueyue Fan. University of California, Davis. Institute of Transportation Studies Research Report, No. UCD-ITS-RR-15-05 (Feb 2015).
“North American Resources and Natural Gas Supply to the State of California,” University of California, Davis. Institute of Transportation Studies Research Report, No. UCD-ITS-RR-15-06 (Feb 2015).
“The Market Impacts of New Natural Gas-Directed Policies in the United States,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper, sponsored by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Feb 2015).
“The Land of Opportunity? Policy, Constraints and Energy Security in North America,” Baker Institute Report, sponsored by Goldman Sachs (Jun 2014). DOI: 10.25613/3263-A413.
“HVDC Transmission and Solar Power in the US Southwest,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Working Paper (2014).
“Natural Gas Price in Asia: What to Expect and What it Means,” Report commissioned by the Non-proliferation Education Center (Feb 2014).
“Speculation, Fundamentals, and the Price of Crude Oil,” Baker Institute Research Paper (Aug 2013).
“New Dynamics of the U.S. Natural Gas Market,” Contributing author, Bipartisan Policy Commission (May 2013).
“U.S. LNG Exports: Truth and Consequence,” Baker Institute Research Paper (Aug 2012). DOI: 10.25613/X7MS-RN47.
“Vehicle Stocks in China: Consequences for Oil Demand,” with Ron Soligo and James Coan, Baker Institute Research Paper (Nov 2011).
“Quantitative Analysis of Scenarios for Chinese Domestic Unconventional Natural Gas Resources and Their Role in Global LNG Markets,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (Nov 2011).
“The Status of World Oil Reserves: Conventional and Unconventional Resources in the Future Supply Mix,” with Ron Soligo, Baker Institute Research Paper sponsored by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (Nov 2011).
“Prudent Development of North American Oil and Gas Resources,” Contributing Author, Macroeconomic/Data & Studies Subgroups, National Petroleum Council (2011).
“Shale Gas and U.S. National Security,” with Peter Hartley and Amy Myers Jaffe, Baker Institute Research Paper sponsored by the US Department of Energy Office of International Policy and Affairs (Jul 2011). DOI: 10.25611/78DG-BF12
“The Revenue Efficiency of Pemex: A Comparative Approach,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (Apr 2011). DOI: 10.25611/C4A0-ER95.
“Scenarios for Oil Supply, Demand and Net Exports for Mexico,” with Ron Soligo, Baker Institute Research Paper (Apr 2011). DOI: 10.25611/0RP5-PQ94.
“Energy Market Consequences of Emerging Renewable Energy and Carbon Dioxide Abatement Policies in the United States,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (Sep 2010).
“Innovation, Renewable Energy, and Macroeconomic Growth,” with Peter Hartley, Ted Temzelides and Xinya Zhang, Baker Institute Research Paper (Sep 2010).
“LNG, Globalization, and Price Volatility: Understanding the Paradigm Shift,” prepared for the American Clean Skies Foundation and the National Council on Energy Policy (June 2010).
“Fundamentals of a Sustainable U.S. Biofuels Policy,” with Pedro Alvarez, Joel Burken, James Coan, Marcelo E. Dias de Oliveira, Rosa Dominguez-Faus, Diego E. Gomez, Amy Myers Jaffe, Susan E. Powers, Ronald Soligo and Lauren Smulcer, Baker Institute Research Paper (Jan 2010).
“Who’s in the Oil Futures Market and How has it Changed?” with Amy Myers Jaffe, Baker Institute Research Paper (Aug 2009).
“Scenarios for Russian Natural Gas Exports: The Role of Domestic Investment, the Caspian, and LNG” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (May 2009). DOI: 10.25613/AZ4B-Y586.
“Energy Security in a Context of Hyper-Social Mobilization: Insights from Bolivia,” with David Mares and Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (May 2008).
“U.S. Energy Policy and Transportation,” with Amy Myers Jaffe, Baker Institute Research Paper (May 2008).
“Climate policy and energy security: two sides of the same coin?” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (May 2008).
“Iran, Energy and Geopolitics,” with Daniel Brumberg, Jareer Elass and Amy Myers Jaffe, Baker Institute Research Paper (May 2008). DOI: 10.25613/XWM1-EP52.
“The Future of Russian Natural Gas Exports,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (May 2008). DOI: 10.25613/4ATT-EK98.
“Facing the Hard Truths,” Contributing Author, LNG Subgroup, National Petroleum Council (2007).
“Electricity Sector Demand for Natural Gas in the United States,” with Peter Hartley and Jennifer Rosthal, Baker Institute Research Paper (Nov 2007).
“International Influences on the Link between U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices,” with Peter Hartley and Amy Jaffe, Baker Institute Research Paper (Nov 2007).
“Western Integrated Energy Policy Report,” Contributing author, California Energy Commission (2005).
“Energy and Natural Gas in Northeast Asia: Options for the Future,” prepared for the SIIS conference Energy Security: Options for US-China-Middle East Relations (Jul 2005).
"Political and Economic Influences on the Future World Market for Natural Gas," with Peter R. Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper, Energy Forum study "Energy Security: Implications for U.S.-China-Middle East Relations," (March 2005).
"The Baker Institute World Gas Trade Model," with Peter R. Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper, Energy Forum study "Energy Security: Implications for U.S.-China-Middle East Relations" (March 2005).
“Russian Natural Gas Supply: Some Implications for Japan,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (Oct 2004).
“The Role of Nuclear Power in Enhancing Japan’s Energy Security,” with Peter Hartley, Baker Institute Research Paper (Sep 2004). DOI: 10.25613/WWF5-8Q89.
“Balancing Natural Gas Policy,” Lead modeler and contributing author, National Petroleum Council, Modeling Subgroup of the Supply Task group (2003).
Other Articles
“US bipartisanship and regional divergence,” Transition Strategies in PE Outlook 2022: Next Directions in the Evolving Energy Trajectory, Petroleum Economist, p. 42-43 (Dec 2021).
“Today vs Tomorrow, as a market transitions,” with Jim Krane and Mark Finley, Upstream (Dec 2021).
“Energy Transitions and Carbon Neutrality by 2050?” Energy Economics, Special Issue, The Institute of Energy Economics Japan, p. 3-7 (2021).
“A U.S. Perspective: The Potential of Hydrogen Rests in its Diversity,” Oxford Energy Forum, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Issue 127 (May 2021), p. 52-55.
“Decarbonization by 2050: Looking Back to Look Ahead,” Energy Economics, Special Issue, The Institute of Energy Economics Japan (Dec 2020).
“Energy Transitions, COVID-19 and World of Uncertainty,” Oxford Energy Forum, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Issue 123 (July 2020), p. 63-66.
“Climate and Energy Discourse in the US: What is the Path Forward?” Energy Economics, Special Issue, The Institute of Energy Economics Japan (Dec 2019).
“Energy Transitions and the Shifting Sands of Geopolitics,” Energy Economics, Special Issue, The Institute of Energy Economics Japan (Dec 2018).
“Trade and Energy Under Trump,” Energy Economics, Special Issue, The Institute of Energy Economics Japan (Dec 2017).
“Well Productivity Analysis of the Bakken Shale Play,” with Emilian Vankov, Svetlana Ikonnikova, Gurcan Gulen, Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (July 2017). DOI: 10.15530/URTEC-2017-2671321.
“The Shale Revolution and Its Implications for the World Energy Market,” Energy Economics, The 50th Anniversary Special Issue, The Institute of Energy Economics Japan (June 2016).
“US Shale: Ever Onwards,” Petroleum Economist Outlook 2016, Petroleum Economist (Dec 2015).
“China’s Energy Hedging Strategy: Less Than Meets the Eye for Russian Gas Pipelines,” with Amy M Jaffe and Meghan O’Sullivan, The National Bureau of Asian Research (Feb 9, 2015).
“Deepwater activity will drive US offshore production,” Offshore Magazine (Jan 2014).
“Barnett Study Develops Full-Field Reserves, Production Forecast – Part 2 of 2,” with John Browning, Scott Tinker, Svetlana Ikonnikova, Gurcan Gulen, Eric Potter, Qilong Fu, Susan Horvath, Tad Patzek, Frank Male, William Fisher, and Forrest Roberts, Oil and Gas Journal (Sep 2, 2013).
“Barnett Study Develops Decline Analysis, Geologic Parameters for Reserves, Production Forecast – Part 1 of 2,” with John Browning, Scott Tinker, Svetlana Ikonnikova, Gurcan Gulen, Eric Potter, Qilong Fu, Susan Horvath, Tad Patzek, Frank Male, William Fisher, and Forrest Roberts, Oil and Gas Journal (Aug 5, 2013).
“The Status of World Oil Reserves: Conventional and Unconventional Resources in the Future Supply Mix,” with Ron Soligo and Amy Myers Jaffe, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (Oct 2011).
“The Status of World Oil Reserves and Implications for the Gulf” with Ron Soligo and Amy Myers Jaffe, The Emirates Occasional Papers 78 (Apr 2011).
“Impact of Shale Gas Development on Global Gas Markets,” in Natural Gas and Electricity, 27 (9), 22-28 (April 2011). DOI: 10.1002/gas.10116.
“Potential Worldwide Effects of Shale Gas,” in Energy Studies Institute Bulletin on Energy Trends and Development, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (July 2011).
“Recent Developments in the North American Natural Gas Market,” Diamond Gas Report, No. 904 (Feb 2009).
“LNG Trading Evolves” in Fundamentals of the World Gas Industry, Petroleum Economist (Jun 2006).
Book Chapters
“China, India, and Asian Energy” with Amy Jaffe, in Energy and Security: Strategies for a World in Transition, edited by J.H. Kalicki and D.L. Goldwyn. Woodrow Wilson Press (2013).
“The Future of LNG Trade” in Handbook of Utility Management, ed. Andreas Bausch and Burkhard Schwenker (2009)
“Energy Demand Theory” in International Handbook on the Economics of Energy, ed. Joanne Evans and Lester C. Hunt (2009)
“The Economics of Energy Supply” International Handbook on the Economics of Energy, ed. Joanne Evans and Lester C. Hunt (2009)
“The Baker Institute World Gas Trade Model” with Peter Hartley, in Natural Gas and Geopolitics: 1970-2040, ed. David Victor, Amy Jaffe, and Mark Hayes, Cambridge University Press (2006)
“Political and Economic Influences on the Future World Market for Natural Gas” with Peter Hartley, in Natural Gas and Geopolitics: 1970-2040, ed. David Victor, Amy Jaffe, and Mark Hayes, Cambridge University Press (2006)
“Economic Issues of Natural Gas Transmission in Northeast Asia: Political Bridges and Economic Advantages” with Peter Hartley and Amy Jaffe, in Joint U.S.-Korea Academic Studies, Volume 16 (2006)
“Energy Trade in China and Northeast Asia” with Amy Jaffe, in Energy Security in the 21st Century: A New Foreign Policy Strategy, Woodrow Wilson Center Press. (2005)
“Energy Trade in Asia: An Overview” with Amy Meyers Jaffe, in Asian Energy Markets: Dynamics and Trends, The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research. (2004)
“The Present Status and Future Prospects of Energy in China” with Ron Soligo and Amy Meyers Jaffe, in Asian Energy Markets: Dynamics and Trends, The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research. (2004)
Policy Briefs and Research Briefs
“Energy Security and Supply Chain Resilience,” in Energy Insights 2025 (Oct 7, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/FYVA-4E30.
“AI, Data Centers, and Energy: Oh My!” in Energy Insights 2025 (Oct 7, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/FYVA-4E30.
“The LNG-enie Is Out of the Bottle,” in Energy Insights 2025 (Oct 7, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/FYVA-4E30.
“An Enduring Emphasis on Resilience,” in Energy Insights 2025 (Oct 7, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/FYVA-4E30.
“Capture Carbon to Value,” in Energy and Resilience Policy Briefs 2025 (Oct 7, 2025). DOI: 10.25613/FYVA-4E30.
“Foundations for Research and Insights,” Houston: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (Aug 22, 2024). DOI: 10.25613/GBVY-9968.
“Engines of Change: Innovation and Growth,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (Aug 22, 2024). DOI: 10.25613/KTWT-6639.
“The Pride and Prejudice of Sustainability: Rethinking Sustainability from a Systems Perspective,” with Rachel A. Meidl, Houston: Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy (Nov 8, 2023). DOI: 10.25613/20CH-3Z48.
“Federal Energy Legislation and the Infrastructure Achilles Heel: The Energy Market Impacts of the IIJA, CHIPS Act, and IRA,” Houston: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (August 7, 2023). DOI: 10.25613/7ZT2-WK51.
“Natural Gas Balance in Europe: Germany as a Case Study,” with Anna Mikulska and Luke (Leelook) Min, Issue Brief no. 12.07.22. Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, Houston, Texas (Dec 7, 2022). DOI: 10.25613/8SKH-J217.
“Blue, Green… Turquoise? Carbon-to-Value and Sustainability in the Hydrogen Palette,” with Rachel A. Meidl, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (September 23, 2021).
“The Advanced Carbon Economy: A Sustainable Hydrogen Pathway,” with Rachel Meidl, Baker Institute Issue Brief (Jun 2021).
“Grids and Renewables,” with Julie Cohn and Olivera Jankovska, part of a series of Baker Institute recommendations for the Biden administration (Feb 2021).
“Prioritize Engineered and Natural Solutions for Effective GHG Mitigation,” with Keily Miller, part of a series of Baker Institute recommendations for the Biden administration (Jan 2021).
“Climate Policy in 2021: An Opportunity for Bipartisan Action,” with Jim Krane, Mark Finley and Michael Maher, part of a series of Baker Institute recommendations for the Biden administration (Jan 2021).
“Time to Update America’s Energy Security Programs,” with Mark Finley, part of a series of Baker Institute recommendations for the Biden administration (Jan 2021).
“Trade War, Energy and Coronavirus: How to Make the US-China Deal a Success,” with Steven Miles, Baker Institute Issue Brief (Apr 2020).
“U.S. Energy Policy: Guidance for the Next Administration,” part of a series of Baker Institute recommendations for the Trump administration (Jan 2017).
“Assessing Shale Producers’ Ability to Scale Up Activity,” with Gabriel Collins, Baker Institute Issue Brief (Jan 2017).
“U.S. Natural Gas Policy: Recommendations for the President,” part of the Baker Institute’s 2013 Policy Recommendations for the Obama Administration (Feb 2013).
“International Implications of Expanded Shale Gas Production,” Australia’s Unconventional Energy Options, Committee for Economic Development of Australia (September 2012).
Proposal for domestic gas (domgas) policy submitted at request of the Committee Chair of the “Inquiry into Domestic Gas Prices, Economics and Industry Committee, Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia,” with Peter Hartley (Dec 2010).
“U.S. Gasoline Policy: Recommendations for the Next President,” with Amy Myers Jaffe, Baker Institute Policy Brief (Jan 2009).
“Speculation: A Cause or Symptom? An Important Question for Designing a Policy Remedy,” Baker Institute Issue Brief (Sep 2008).
“The Price of Gasoline: How High for How Long? (Revisited),” Baker Institute Issue Brief (Aug 2008).
“U.S. Energy Policy FAQ: The US Energy Mix, National Security and the Myths of Energy Dependence,” with Amy Jaffe and Lauren Smulcer, Baker Institute Issue Brief (Feb 2008).
“Gas FAQ: US Gasoline Markets and US Oil Import Dependence,” with Amy Jaffe, Baker Institute Issue Brief (Jul 2007).
“The Price of Gasoline: How High for How Long?” Baker Institute Issue Brief (Jul 2007).
“Controlling Carbon Dioxide: An Analysis of Competing Marginal Effects,” with Peter Hartley, IAEE Newsletter (Fourth Quarter 2001).
Commentary
“How to Straighten Out the Hormuz Bottleneck,” NY Times (Mar 27, 2026).
“China’s Coal Habit will be Hard to Kick,” Barron’s (Oct 6, 2021).
“The Colonial Pipeline Outage: An Important Lesson for U.S. Energy Security,” Forbes (May 2021).
“Let’s Mess with Texas’ Power Market – And Make It Stronger,” with Peter Hartley, Jim Krane and Michael Maher, Forbes (Apr 2021).
“’Green LNG’ – A Pathway for Natural Gas in an ESG Future?” with Marcia Hook and Steven Miles, Forbes (Oct 2020).
“Steel, Hydrogen and Renewables: Strange Bedfellows? Maybe Not…” with Dolf Gielen and Morgan Bazilian, Forbes (May 2020).
“April 20: WTI at -$37, Brent at $26! What Happened? What Comes Next? The Stories that will be Told…” Forbes (Apr 2020).
“Keeping Up with The Jones Act! Changes a Pandemic and Price War Could Bring!” with Igor Hernandez, Michelle Michot Foss, Anna Mikulska, and Ted Loch-Temzelides, Forbes (April 8, 2020).
“Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities Cast a Huge Shadow of Uncertainty on the Oil Market,” with Mark Finley, Forbes (Sep 2019).
“Energy Transitions and Local Action: The Case of Colorado’s Coal Transition,” with Chris Hansen and Morgan Bazilian, Forbes (Aug 2019).
“Power to X in the German Experience: Another in the List of Growing Energy Transition Strategies,” with Dolf Gielen, Morgan Bazilian and Jeffrey Logan, Forbes (May 2019).
“Natural Gas and Clean Energy,” with Dolf Gielen and Morgan Bazilian, Forbes (Feb 2019).
“Millennials, Oil and Gas and the ‘Energy Transition’,” Forbes (Nov 2018).
“Colorado Oil and Gas Development and a Politically Charged Ballot Proposition,” with Morgan Bazilian, Forbes (Oct 2018).
“Why America's Clean Energy Plans Need to Embrace Nuclear Power,” with Shih Yu Hung, Forbes (Mar 2016).
“Hillary, Bernie, Hydraulic Fracturing and The Future of US Oil and Gas Production,” with Michael Maher and Anna Mikulska, Forbes (Mar 2016).
“Could trade help achieve energy security?” World Economic Forum (Mar 2016).
“Confronting Climate Change: Policies and Opportunities,” with Regina Buono and Shih Yu Hung, Forbes (Feb 2016).
“Pennsylvania and Truth in The Incidence of a State Severance Tax,” with Anna Mikulska, Forbes (Aug 2015).
“The US Shale Experience: A Script for Mexico?” Forbes (Sept 2014).
“Russia to China: A Gas Deal We All Should Have Seen Coming,” Forbes (May 2014).
“A ‘Credible Threat’ Approach to Long Run Deterrence of Russian European Hegemony,” Forbes (Mar 2014).
“Are Global Natural Gas Markets in a Period of Transition? The Magic 8-Ball Says...” Forbes (Feb 2014).
“The American Energy Renaissance: Who Is to Credit and What Is the Future Direction?” with Keily Miller, Forbes (Jan 2014).
“Shale Gas: A Game Changer with Global Implications,” Baker Institute Blog (Oct 2009).
“Is the U.S. Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack?” with Chris Bronk and Dan Wallach, Houston Chronicle (May 2009)
“The OCS Leasing Moratorium: Which Way Forward?” Houston Chronicle (Jul 2008).
“You, Your Car and U.S. Energy Policy: Things You Need to Know,” with Amy Jaffe, AAA magazine (Oct 2007).
Resource and Data Visualizations
“Energy Infrastructure and Politics in South America,” with Miaomiao Rimmer.
“Energy Infrastructure and Politics in North America,” with Miaomiao Rimmer.
“Natural Disaster Resilience,” with Miaomiao Rimmer and Shih Yu Hung.
“Energy, Infrastructure, and Politics in Europe,” with Miaomiao Rimmer, Shih Yu Hung, and Matt Drwenski.
“Energy’s Balancing Act,” with Miaomiao Rimmer.
“ERCOT Generation by Resource: A Time Lapse of Texas Fuel Mix in Electricity Generation,” with Shih Yu Hung and Miaomiao Rimmer.
“2021 Freeze: Generation by Fuel and Outages,” with Shih Yu Hung and Miaomiao Rimmer.
“Map: Energy, Environment and Policy in the U.S.,” with Shih Yu Hung.
Podcasts
“Why the Middle East Oil Shock Is Raising Gas Prices,” Baker Briefing/The Energy Forum (May 14, 2026).
“Geoeconomic Shockwaves: The Iran War and Global Energy Markets,” ECON-versations with NABE (Apr 8, 2026).
“The 8 Million Barrel Oil Gap - and What it Means for Energy Markets,” The MoneyShow (Apr 2, 2026).
“Inside the Iran War’s Impact on Global Energy Markets,” Baker Briefing/The Energy Forum (Mar 27, 2026).
“The Day After the War: Gulf Energy, Maritime Chokepoints, and the Reshaping of Global Markets,” The Gulf Times (Mar 26, 2026).
“Live from CERAWeek: Latin America’s Growing Role in Global Oil Markets,” The Energy Forum (Mar 25, 2026).
“What the US Strikes on Iran Mean for Global Energy Markets,” Baker Briefing/The Energy Forum (Mar 3, 2026).
“After Maduro’s Ouster, What Happens to Venezuela’s Oil?” Baker Briefing/The Energy Forum (Jan 16, 2026).
“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Future of Clean Energy,” Baker Briefing/The Energy Forum (Aug 13, 2025).
“Texas Grid Evolution and Its Intersection with Hurricanes, Demand Growth, and Resilience,” The Energy Forum (Jun 24, 2025).
“How Will Trump's Tariffs Impact American Industry and Consumers?” Baker Briefing (Feb 10, 2025).
“How tariffs could affect Houston,” Houston Matters (Feb 4, 2025).
“Minerals and Materials Challenges for Our Energy Future,” The Energy Forum (Oct 29, 2024).
“Energy Market Developments to Watch,” Baker Briefing (Sep 9, 2024).
“The Future of Fuels,” Baker Briefing (May 13, 2024).
“Rising electricity demand in Texas: the canary in the coalmine for the US?” The Energy Gang (Apr 22, 2024).
“Adapting the Texas Power Grid to Meet Evolving Energy Needs,” Baker Briefing (Apr 8, 2024).
“In The Oil Patch: Episode 418 – Energy 360,” Energy Mixx, In the Oil Patch (Dec 8, 2023).
“Is Texas the Next Hydrogen Hub?” Baker Briefing (Apr 20, 2023).
“Diving into the Texas Grid Collapse,” Grid Talk (Mar 16, 2021).
“Energy Transitions,” Energy in Transition Podcast (Nov 10, 2020).
“Energy Transition and Regional Comparative Advantages,” Insight Out Horizons (Oct 28, 2020).
“Pandemic, Price War and the World Petroleum Market,” Policy Matters (Apr 8, 2020).
“In The Oil Patch: Episode 184,” Energy Mixx, In the Oil Patch (Dec 8, 2018).
Conference and Workshop Reports
“Resource Adequacy in ERCOT: How Long-term Market Design Reforms Could Enhance Reliability,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Dec 2022).
“Houston Energy Dialogues 2022,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Dec 2022).
“A New Shale Renaissance? Summary of Workshop Proceedings,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Dec 2022).
“Houston Energy Dialogues: Executive Summary,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Apr 2022).
“Houston Energy Dialogues 2020,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Jun 2021).
“Houston Energy Dialogues 2019,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Feb 2020).
“Houston Energy Dialogues 2018,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Aug 2018).
“Energy and Economic Diversification Policy Roundtable,” with Jim Krane, Francisco Monaldi, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen and Gabriel Collins, Baker Institute Study (Sep 2017).
“Houston Energy Dialogues 2017,” Baker Institute Conference Report (Jun 2017).
“From the ‘What?’ to the ‘How?’ in the Water-Energy Nexus,” with Regina Buono and Shih Yu Hung, Baker Institute Conference Report (Jul 2016).
“Summary of the 2014-15 Climate Lecture Series,” with Regina Buono and Anna Mikulska, Baker Institute Report summarizing a series of lectures delivered at the Baker Institute on Climate Science and Policy (Sep 2015).
“The Shale Revolution: What Do We Know and Where are We Going? A Conference Report,” Baker Institute Conference Report, sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Jan 2015).
Testimonies
Testimony, Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, “Long-Term Reliability in ERCOT: Some Critical Issues to Consider” (Jun 12, 2024).
Testimony, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, “Use of Energy as a Tool & Weapon” (Mar 11, 2022).
Testimony, Texas Railroad Commission, Hearing on Prorationing, “The Best and Worst of Times Each Require Competitive Resolve for the Oil and Gas Industry” prepared with Mark Finley (Apr 8, 2020).
Testimony, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, “Electricity and a Changing Climate” (Mar 5, 2019).
Testimony, U.S. House of Representatives Committee of Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee of Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, “Geopolitics of U.S. Oil and Gas Competitiveness” (May 22, 2018).
Testimony, U.S. Senate Committee Energy and Natural Resources, “The Evolution of Energy Infrastructure in the United States and How Lessons from the Past Can Inform the Future” (Feb 8, 2018).
Testimony, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, “U.S. Crude Oil Exports” (Jun 17, 2015).
Testimony, U.S. House of Representatives Committee of Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee of Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, “U.S. Crude Oil Exports” (Apr 2, 2014).
Testimony, U.S. Senate Committee Energy and Natural Resources, “Opportunities for U.S. Natural Gas” (Feb 12, 2013).
Testimony, U.S. Senate Committee Energy and Natural Resources, “The Prospect of LNG Exports from the United States” (Nov 8, 2011).
In The News
“If you think about what made the Gulf Coast the oil capital of the world, it’s not just the oil & gas resources,” said Center for Energy Studies’ Ken Medlock. “Investors can now see a pathway in these new green energy technologies where they couldn’t before.”
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About the Episode
Recorded live at CERAWeek in Houston, this episode of The Energy Forum features Kenneth B. Medlock III in…