Gulf Intelligence Podcasts PODCAST: Daily Energy Markets - March 12th
Mar 12, 2026
Charles Ellinas, LNG and European gas specialist; Choeib Boutamine, North African oil producer and investment leader; Gaurav Sharma, energy journalist and market analyst. They discuss oil stuck near $100 after a huge SPR release. Conversation covers Strait of Hormuz risks, North Africa production plans, LNG shortages pressuring Europe, and how supply delays and shipping threats keep markets volatile.
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SPR Release Is Slow To Calm Markets
- The 400 million barrel SPR release will take weeks to affect physical supply and only partially soothes market sentiment.
- Gaurav Sharma notes the release needs ~88 days to meaningfully hit markets while immediate supply risks and threats around Hormuz keep prices spooked.
Gulf Tensions Turn Local Problems Into Global Supply Risk
- Regional instability is now a global supply risk because Gulf disruptions reduce reliable exports to Europe and Asia.
- Choeib Boutamine highlights Algeria's investment plan to drill hundreds of wells as a long-term stabilizer amid short-term disruption.
LNG Shortage Threatens European Inflation And Growth
- There is acute LNG stress for Europe because Qatar's output is offline and storages are depleted after winter.
- Charles Ellinas warns Europe faces higher inflation and recession risk if LNG shortages persist and storages remain low.