Gulf Intelligence Podcasts

Host Dyala Sabbagh was joined by Clay Seigle (CSIS), Matthew Wright (Kpler), and Peter McGuire (Trading.com). Discussion centered on oil demand resilience, and OPEC+ restraint into Q1 2026. Speakers analyzed China’s inventory strategy, U.S. sanctions on Russia and Iran, Australia–China trade tensions, U.S. output trends, and central bank gold buying momentum.

In today's Daily Energy Markets Podcast, Sean Evers spoke with Vandana Hari, Bill Farren-Price, and Sara Vakhshouri. Vandana noted OPEC+’s cautious freeze reflects weak demand and fragile balances. Bill highlighted sanctions uncertainty and Europe’s gas dependence shifting to U.S. LNG. Sara discussed Trump’s energy dominance agenda, sanctions on Russia, and AI-driven U.S. demand, with the Gulf emerging as a stable AI hub.

On today’s podcast from ADIPEC 2025, Omar Najia (BB Energy) predicted oil prices will rise sharply, dismissing bearish EIA forecasts and calling current prices “cheap.” Anoop Singh (Oil Brokerage) highlighted Chinese buying and storage as key price supports, while Yan Chong Yaw (Wood Mackenzie) remained short-term bearish, citing stagnant Chinese demand and limited global spare capacity.

Today’s Month in Review / Outlook Ahead edition of the Daily Energy Markets Podcast featured Christof Rühl, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University, and Bill Zhao, former Managing Director at CPP Investments. Rühl noted that while the U.S. economy remains resilient, deep structural inequalities pose future risks, and highlighted a “supply conundrum” with surplus oil absorbed into Chinese storage, stabilizing prices near $65. Zhao emphasized China’s pragmatic handling of U.S. trade tensions, its resilient economy, and continued strong oil import demand under its new pro-growth Five-Year Plan.

Today’s DEM podcast featured Brian Pieri (Energy Rogue), Danial Rahmat (Tehran-based energy consultant), and Asif Shuja (GeoPoConsult) analyzing the aftermath of the Trump–Xi “Super Bowl of Summits.” Speakers agreed China holds the upper hand in the ongoing trade war. Discussion covered Iran’s discounted oil exports to China, U.S. shale’s stagnation at $60 WTI, and OPEC+’s delicate supply balancing ahead of Sunday’s meeting.

Today’s DEM Podcast featured Jamal Qureshi (Petro Logistics), Gemma Parker (FGE Nexant), and Xavier Tang (Vortexa). They discussed muted market reaction to the Trump–China summit, resilient oil demand despite trade tensions, and a likely supply surplus offset by Russian sanctions. Panelists highlighted China’s slower crude imports, OPEC+’s potential output rise, and ongoing geopolitical risks shaping oil prices around $65 Brent.

In today’s episode, Ilia Bouchouev, Walter Simpson, and Laury Haytayan discussed how US FED easing, OPEC+ supply growth, and global geopolitics intersect. Haytayan said market reaction remains muted despite Gaza and Ukraine crises; Simpson highlighted constrained spare capacity; and Bouchouev pointed to investor flows and algorithmic trading as key market drivers amid subdued volatility.

Today’s Daily Energy Markets podcast featured Ehsan Ul-Haq, Victor Yang and Bill Spindle. Ul-Haq discussed OPEC+’s cautious stance amid steady oil prices, potential supply gluts, and shifting Russian exports under tighter sanctions. Yang outlined softer Chinese crude imports and stable stimulus, while Spindle examined U.S. election politics, Venezuelan tensions, and Europe’s continued dependence on U.S. LNG for energy security.

Brent crude steadied around $65–70 as markets found equilibrium amid global uncertainty. Omar Najia of BB Energy said oil remains undervalued and poised for a strong upswing as investors rotate from other assets. Clyde Russell of Reuters highlighted China’s continued decoupling from U.S. trade reliance while maintaining oil imports from Russia. Jose Chalhoub in Caracas reported heightened U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean as Washington seeks to regain regional influence, with Venezuela’s Chevron operations still active under limited U.S. licenses and gradual production recovery.

Today’s session examined oil’s strong 7% weekly rise amid Trump’s tougher sanctions on Russia. Rad Alkadiri underscored the political volatility shaping markets, Russell Robertson pointed to Middle East producers gaining ground as trade flows shift, and Osama Rizvi noted renewed Saudi–Pakistan security ties and China’s resilience in sustaining oil demand into year-end.