Research Library

How might the future of energy unfold? Ken Medlock joined the Baker Briefing podcast to discuss insights from our Center for Energy Studies experts into energy markets, geopolitics, sustainability, technology, and other topics explored in the inaugural “Energy Insights” report.

In response to the ongoing war in Gaza, the Houthi Red Sea campaign has caused significant economic disruptions — underscoring geopolitical shifts in the region. A new brief from the Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East and the Center for Energy Studies summarizes a conversation in which experts outline how the Houthi challenge has evolved over time and against the backdrop of Yemen’s ongoing conflicts.

Ken Medlock offers a brief history of the Center for Energy Studies and an overview of its data-driven, cross-cutting research on the forces propelling energy market evolution.

Ted Loch-Temzelides discusses how Germany, once Europe’s economic leader, is now struggling with high energy prices and poor economic performance. This is bringing a new focus on controversial energy policies, including an emphasis on specific energy types, a reliance on Russian gas, and the closure of nuclear plants.

The Middle East remains a vital supplier of oil and gas resources, but it could begin to take on a different role. Jim Krane discusses the region’s emerging energy strategies in light of energy transitions, highlighting challenges and opportunities for decarbonization.

After seven years of steady decline and an accumulated drop of 25%, Latin America’s crude oil production has recovered by more than 9% over the past two years, thanks to significant growth in Guyana and Brazil and smaller increases in Argentina and Venezuela. Francisco J. Monaldi walks us through these developments and what could be ahead for the region.

Osamah Alsayegh discusses how the recent Iran-Iraq gas deal and the reestablishment of Iran-Saudi Arabia relations signal increased regional cooperation in the Persian Gulf to tackle energy and water challenges, despite geopolitical pressures and U.S. opposition.

The Latin American does not stop with hydrocarbons: It extends into metals and minerals as well. The demand for critical minerals such as copper and lithium is projected to at least double by 2030. Tilsa Oré Mónago discusses the role of South America in responding to the growing demand for critical minerals in light of clean energy transition plans, as well as the challenges to be faced in doing so.

The link from resource endowment to profitability is intimately tied to the full supply chain. In the U.S., concern about market concentration in China is motivating policy intervention to reorient supply chains in the interest of energy and national security. This is not without its obstacles, however. Michelle Michot Foss discusses how new U.S. laws intersect with the challenges of aligning materials supply chains with green energy goals amid political and economic pressures.

Energy transitions also connect to developments in natural gas and oil markets, both of which still receive significant attention from policymakers. Steven R. Miles explains that despite numerous challenges, global reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) has continued to expand. Thus, future trends will be shaped by trade dynamics, geopolitical factors, regulations, and U.S. policies. LNG is important for the global energy balance, and increasing demand for natural gas means the long-term outlook for U.S. LNG exports remains bright, despite the recent LNG permitting pause by the U.S. Department of Energy.