EnergyCents

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 the importance of COP26, and discuss how outcomes from the event may influence capital flows as energy- and climate-policy converge. Send us your comments or question: energycents@ihsmarkit.com

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 1-1 time: Dr. Chrisoph Berg: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/berg-christoph Kevin Lindemer: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/lindemer-kevin

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 discuss the historically resilient Texas economy, and why we should be optimistic for Houston, the Energy Capital of the World, as it undergoes economic transition. Ask Karl a question or book 1-1 time: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/kuykendall-karl Send us your comments or questions at energycents@ihsmarkit.com.

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 the labor market and what challenges workers might face in the future. Ask Shelia a question or book 1-1 time: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/moore-sheila.

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 natural gas in a greening economy, and why we should expect the fuel to be a key contributor to meeting energy demand going forward. Book 1-1 time or ask Ed a question: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/kelly-ed Send us your comments or questions: energycents@ihsmarkit.com.

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 Coralie Laurencin to walk us through the potential implications and timing of a CBAM, and highlight the myriad complexities of charting a course in cross-border regulation. Have more questions? Ask Coralie a question or book 1-1 time: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/laurencin-coralie. Send us your comments or questions: energycents@ihsmarkit.com.

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 implications of first-quarter discipline, and how the sector is responding to investor demands for prudence. Have more questions for our experts? Ask them a question or book 1-1 time: Raoul LeBlanc: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/leblanc-raoul Andrew Byrne: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/byrne-andrew Send us your comments or questions: energycents@ihsmarkit.com.

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 the solar market? Ask our experts a question or book 1-1 time. Edurne Zoco: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/zoco-edurne Cormac Gilligan: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/gilligan-cormac

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 their outlook for global hydrogen investment, as well as the strategic intent of countries and sectors that may drive advancements in the low-carbon fuel. Have more questions? Ask our hydrogen experts a question or book 1-1 time with them: Alex Klaessig: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/klaessig-alex Julia Wainwright: https://experts.ihsmarkit.com/experts/wainwright-julia Send us your podcast comments or questions: energycents@ihsmarkit.com.

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 another commodity 'Supercycle.' Send your comments to us at energycents@ihsmarkit.com.