EnergyCents

Nuclear energy plants emit no carbon and can run twenty-four hours per day without relying on wind or sunlight. Recently big-name investors have put their celebrity – and money – behind innovations in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and fusion. North America Power Expert Steve Piper joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the changing views on nuclear electricity as the world embraces net-zero goals, and whether the renewed enthusiasm represents a nuclear renaissance. Learn more about S&P Market Intelligence at: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en Join the conversation at [email protected]

Shell (Graff-1) and TotalEnergies (Venus 1-X) in 2022 each announced successful offshore exploration wells in Namibia's Orange Sub-basin. Enthusiasm is high enough to warrant discussion that Venus has perhaps identified Africa's 6th Super Giant oilfield. Upstream expert Justin Cochrane joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss Namibia's recent deepwater exploration success, and consider the timelines and hurdles that must be overcome in reaching commercial goals. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en Join the conversation at [email protected]

Government policy and, in many cases, consumer preferences are accelerating new sales of electric vehicles. Automotive expert Devin Lindsay joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the rise of electric vehicles, and consider how this shift in mobility may affect automotive and energy industries going forward. Learn more about S&P Global Mobility here: https://www.spglobal.com/mobility/en/index.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

#Copper is often spoken of as having a phd because its price can be used to quickly diagnose global economic health. The #metal will also be key in realizing ambitions of an electrified, low-carbon future. Metals and Mining experts Ronnie Cecil and Kevin Murphy join EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to discuss the role of copper in #electrification, and consider some of the challenges and opportunities for industry as it seeks supply. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights Metals and Mining coverage here: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/campaigns/metals-mining Join the conversation at [email protected]

China's reopened economy, sidelined shale, and Russian sanctions all add fresh uncertainties to the supply and demand balances shaping global oil-price expectations. Oil Markets expert Karim Fawaz joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to consider the important variables ahead of the recent OPEC+ meeting in June, and discuss the drivers behind our outlook for the second half of 2023. Join the conversation at [email protected]

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), a byproduct of natural gas production and refined oil, is primarily used in cooking, transportation, and as a petrochemical feedstock. It burns cleaner than diesel and gasoline in transportation, and still competes with firewood for market share in developing economies. Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) expert Fernando Covas joins EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to consider the status and perception of LPG amid a global energy transition and discuss why investors are looking to Africa as a growth market for the fuel. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights coverage of NGL markets: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/natural-gas-liquids-market-forecast.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Western sanctions have attempted to limit the market opportunity for Russian oil following the country's invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago. Barrels continue to access markets in, perhaps, unexpected ways. Shipping expert Rahul Kapoor joins EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to discuss how Russian oil continues to access markets post-sanctions, and consider the implications for shippers and consumers. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights coverage of Commodities at Sea: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/commodities-at-sea.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Almost 20% of the world's population lives in India, which remains heavily reliant on higher emitting fuels for its energy supply. The potential opportunity for cleantech and decarbonization technologies is huge as the country work towards a 2070 net-zero target. India energy expert Sahil Ali joins EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to outline India's current energy balances, and consider technologies that the country may embrace – and challenges that must be overcome – as it embarks on a path to net-zero. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights coverage of Indian energy markets: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/asia-pacific-regional-integrated.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Carbon, Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is increasingly viewed as a key to the world meeting its climate goals. The multi-step technology, or technologies, somewhat uniquely leverages the upstream sector's experience and expertise in geophysics, molecule management, and large-scale projects. CCUS expert Derek Gonsuron joins EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to discuss recent advances in CCUS, and consider how traditional upstream companies may realize relative advantage in developing the projects and business models that puts carbon back in the ground. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights work on CCUS here: https://view.highspot.com/viewer/6410e2efb37768b5626b2332 Join the conversation at [email protected]

European energy markets largely dodged a crisis during the 2022-23 winter months thanks to the combination of functioning markets, policy influences, and warm weather. Energy expert Laurent Ruseckas joins EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to recount Europe's successful gas-market balancing act in 2022, and consider how the continent is preparing for 2023 as conflict in Ukraine continues to disrupt traditional energy supplies. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' European Gas, Power and Renewables coverage here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/eu-energy-forecasts-strategic-analysis-insights-by-fuel.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Petrobras emerged a leader in offshore oil in gas on the back of exploration success throughout the early 2000s, which also coincided with the first presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2010). Lula won re-election in 2022, and promises to prioritize the development of low-carbon energy through its state-owned oil company. Energy Supply Chain expert Carlos Rocha joins EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to discuss the evolving role of Petrobras within the Brazilian energy sector, and what to watch for under the new Lula-led government. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' Costs and Supply Chain coverage here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/cost-solution-oil-gas.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Buoyed by high commodity prices in 2022, the global upstream sector enters 2023 with a high-class cash-flow problem: what to do with all this money. Among other ideas, governments suggest windfall-profits taxes, investors want dividends and buybacks, and environmentalists seek climate-directed investment. Upstream experts Raoul LeBlanc and Kevin Birn rejoin EnergyCents with host Hill Vaden to discuss the operating environment for Upstream players in 2023, and how executives may balance competing pressures to reinvest in fossil fuels, diversify into new technologies, and/or share profits with stakeholders. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' Upstream Emissions coverage here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/upstream-emissions.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Battery and automobile makers often look at the relationship between service stations and internal combustion engines as business-model analogues to solve electric vehicles' duration and distance challenges. But are these the right analogues? Cleantech experts Sam Wilkinson and George Hilton rejoin EnergyCents this week to discuss business-model alternatives to road-side recharging, as well as the role of recycling in addressing EV supply-chain challenges. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' Clean Energy Technology coverage here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/clean-energy-technology.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) investment themes fell out of favor in 2022 as concerns around things like energy security and Wall Street's motivation captured the attention of investors and governments. Peter Gardett rejoins EnergyCents this week to discuss the changing narratives of ESG and consider how those shifts may (or may not) affect cleantech-directed capital in 2023. Join the conversation at [email protected]

The success of cleantech innovation is, in many ways, dependent on the world's mining sector delivering an adequate supply of one or more of the following metals: copper, cobalt, nickel, and lithium. Mark Ferguson, a Commodity Insights metals and mining expert for S&P Global's Capital IQ, joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the convergence of energy with the metals and mining sector, and how ESG-oriented investors balance the environmental impact of mining with the low-carbon promise of cleantech. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights Metals and Mining coverage here: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/campaigns/metals-mining Join the conversation at [email protected]

In what has become an annual EnergyCents tradition, we welcome back experts Reed Olmstead and David Vaucher for our annual year-in-review and resolutions episode. We check in to see how well we performed against 2022 expectations, consider the year's biggest surprises, and share predictions on how the energy sector may evolve in the coming year. Join the conversation at [email protected]

Russia's Ukraine invasion led to gas supply constraints to Europe that rerouted global gas flows throughout the summer and fall. Gas market expert Johan Utama joins EnergyCents this week to review the role of natural gas in Southeast Asian markets, and how a spike in European demand influenced local balances half a world away. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' petroleum-sector risk coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/ci/products/asia-pacific-regional-integrated.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Global oil prices avoided hitting new highs over past months as policy choices from consuming countries helped balanced markets, and Russian supply found new outlets. Global oil expert Karim Fawaz joins EnergyCents this week to review shifts in oil markets since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and share expectations for winter as global economies slow and anticipated sanctions dislocate supply. Learn more about Karim's analysis with S&P Global Commodity Insights at: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/s1/products/energy-advisory-service.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

The world has seen an impressive emergence of the Guyana Basin through the discovery of more than 16 billion boe of recoverable resources in less than seven years. Accelerated development of the most prolific discoveries may perhaps lead to the basin delivering 2 MMb/d by middle of next decade. The scene has radically changed since 2015 when ExxonMobil made the Liza discovery in the Stabroek Block, with a resurgence in Guyana Basin exploration giving rise to 81 NFW wells drilled offshore mainly in deeper waters to date. The competitive landscape in the Guyana Basin is populated by a mix of global international oil companies (GIOCs), independents, and foreign national oil companies (NOCs). The largest resource holders in the Guyana Basin are ExxonMobil in partnership with Hess and CNOOC yielding more than 13 billion boe of recoverable resources.

The Eastern Mediterranean's role as a global gas hub is technically advantaged by more than 10 years of exploration success, and strategically advantaged by its relative proximity to European markets. However, those advantages are balanced by competing interests that include growing gas demand from local markets and a lack of political consensus in the region. Petroleum-sector risk expert Cat Hunter joins EnergyCents this week to review the monetization efforts of recent Eastern Med gas discoveries, and share thoughts on the pace and direction of the area's potential as a global gas hub. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' petroleum-sector risk coverage at: https://ihsmarkit.com/products/oil-gas-petroleum-news-peps.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Five oilfield services firms control more than 65% of the hydraulic horsepower capacity available to US shale-focused operators interested in fracing wells. Nearly 80% of that capacity is in use, and overall horsepower is not expected to expand anytime soon. North America oilfield services experts Chris Alexander and Prashanth Pillai join EnergyCents this week to consider what the capacity limitations mean for the sector's near-term prospects, and how higher spending by operators in 2023 may not proportionately translate to production growth. Hear referenced shale-sector conversation with Reed Olmstead and Imre Kugler in September's episode: EnergyCents- Ep 89: Theory of constraints: Service-sector capacity limits shale-sector reinvestment Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' Oilfield Services coverage at: https://ihsmarkit.com/products/oilfield-equipment-services.html Join the conversation at [email protected].

More than a dozen operators are preparing to bid in December on up to 12 pre-salt blocks in Brazil's Campos and Santos basins, including the promising Ametista Block. This year's auction times with the finalization of a presidential run-off and marks the first time pre-salt blocks are available in a Permanent Offer System, which is designed to promote award efficiency and had been previously applied to more marginal acreage. Brazilian petroleum-sector expert Ford Tanner joins EnergyCents this week to consider how the country's presidential run-off may influence its future oil policies, and discuss the uniqueness of the upcoming pre-salt auction. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights' petroleum-sector risk coverage at: https://ihsmarkit.com/products/oil-gas-petroleum-news-peps.html. Join the conversation at [email protected].

There are more than 20 Green Banks operating in the US with a shared goal of accelerating cleantech investment in underserved communities and filling other climate-related market gaps. Alison Bennett, a banking reporter with S&P Global's Market Intelligence, joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the role of Green Banks in climate finance, and what to expect from the institutions on the back of a $27 billion allocation as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more about S&P Market Intelligence: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en. Learn more about the American Green Bank Consortium: https://greenbankconsortium.org/annual-industry-report.

Europe's real GDP grew by about 5% during the first two quarters of 2022 on the back of post-pandemic strength from the service sector. Momentum, however, stalled in response to high energy prices and contraction now appears imminent. S&P Global experts on European economics and policy Diego Iscaro and Petya Barzilska join EnergyCents this week to discuss the impact of high energy prices on EU member states, and what to expect from fiscal and monetary policy makers over the coming months. Learn more about S&P Global's Economics and Country Risk coverage at https://ihsmarkit.com/industry/economics-country-risk.html. Join the conversation at [email protected].

Increasing the mix of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) in airlines is a key ingredient in the aviation sector reaching its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Biofuels expert Kevin Lindemer returns to EnergyCents this week to discuss the technologies and policies supporting SAF development and consider the timing of market-share growth for lower carbon fuels in aviation. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights biofuels coverage at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/biofuels.html. Hear more from Kevin on EnergyCents – Episode 43: Beyond Oil: the growing role of biofuels in a decarbonizing refining sector. Join the conversation at [email protected].

The US shale sector is awash in cash on the strength of commodity prices and prudence of operations. North America upstream experts Reed Olmstead and Imre Kugler join EnergyCents this week to consider the near-term outlook for shale producers, and why high commodity prices are not stimulating aggressive drilling campaigns. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights shale forecasting and analysis at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/upstream-insight.html and https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energyview-oil-gas-north-america.html. Join the conversation at [email protected].

Climate Week NYC runs September 19-25 in Manhattan, during a week when the city will also be crowded with dignitaries attending the United Nations General Assembly. Climate and energy experts Peter Gardett and Roman Kramarchuck join EnergyCents this week – ahead of their own Climate Week attendance – to share their expectations for program, and frame its role in the accelerating global environmental narrative. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy-transition coverage at https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/products-services/energy-transitionclimate and climate-finance coverage at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/EnergyView-Climate-and-CleanTech-Service.html.

The broad-reaching Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes a mix of federal incentives to motivate clean-energy investment that will mitigate emissions-related climate concerns. North America Power experts Patrick Luckow and Doug Giuffre join EnergyCents this week to share their early analysis of the bill, and highlight its potential implications for the US electric grid. Read more of Patrick and Doug's thoughts on the bill: https://ihsmarkit.com/research-analysis/implications-of-the-us-senate-passed-inflation-reduction-act.html Learn more about S&P Global's North America Gas & Power coverage for industry at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/north-american-energy-forecasts-strategic-analysis-insights-by-fuel.html and investors https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energyview-gas-power-renewables.html. Join the conversation at [email protected].

Egypt hosts the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP27, this November. The event takes place during a year when energy security has overshadowed many countries' climate concerns. Climate policy experts Anna Mosby and Conway Irwin join EnergyCents this week to share expectations for the upcoming conference and consider how the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act may shape the United States' presence during this year's talks. Learn more about S&P Global's Energy and Climate Scenarios coverage https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energy-climate-scenarios.html. Join the conversation at [email protected].

Utilities and their commissions are watching customers embrace distributed generation and battery investments that could impact existing rate design and returns on equity. Lillian Federico, a Commodity Insights research director for S&P Global's Capital IQ, joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the evolution of utility rate design, and how growing climate and resilience priorities from US consumers may impact designs of the future. Learn more about Capital IQ Pro: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/solutions/sp-capital-iq-pro Learn more about S&P Global's Power and Renewables coverage that caters to industry https://ihsmarkit.com/products/power-renewables-energy-markets.html and financial sector customers https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energyview-gas-power-renewables.html Join the conversation at [email protected].

Governments of resource-rich countries in Africa find themselves at a crossroads as oil and gas operators weigh stranded-asset risk before committing to long-lead-time fossil-fuel projects. Roderick Bruce, an expert in petroleum-sector risk with S&P Global Commodity Insights, joins EnergyCents this week to discuss how host governments in Africa are working with operators to balance their near-term economic goals of resource monetization with longer-term environmental goals of carbon reduction. Learn more about S&P Global's oil-and-gas risk coverage that caters to industry https://ihsmarkit.com/products/oil-gas-risk-forecast-analysis.html and financial sector customers https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energy-advisory-service.html Join the conversation at [email protected].

Policy makers are returning their attention to nuclear power as a potentially low-emission, reliable generator of electricity. Most recently, the European Parliament voted in early July to apply its green label to nuclear power under the EU's sustainable finance taxonomy. S&P Global Commodity Insights experts in European power Coralie Laurencin and Sylvain Cognet-Dauphin join EnergyCents this week to discuss the role of nuclear power in meeting Europe's immediate electricity needs, and whether short-term needs will impact an otherwise declining long-term trajectory. Learn more about S&P Global's Power and Renewables coverage that caters to industry at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/power-renewables-energy-markets.html and financial sector customers at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energyview-gas-power-renewables.html. Join the conversation at [email protected].

Washington state in April became the first state to adopt all-electric standards for new commercial and multi-family constructions. The move follows similar, more localized, activity led largely by California municipalities to limit the expansion of fossil-fuel end use. Gas utilities Expert Tom DiChristopher, a Commodity Insights senior reporter for S&P Global's Capital IQ, joins EnergyCents this week to discuss moves to ban the connection of new building constructions to municipal gas grids, and how they may impact the future plans of utilities and residential consumers. Learn more about Capital IQ Pro: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/solutions/sp-capital-iq-pro Hear more from Tom in the on-demand webinar, "Building Electrification: Three years after the Berkeley gas ban, where are we now?": https://pages.marketintelligence.spglobal.com/Building-Electrification-Three-years-after-the-Berkeley-gas-ban-where-are-we-now-Registration-June-2022.html Join the conversation at [email protected]

Global coal prices are at multi-decade highs as post-CoVid demand spikes in the face of underinvested supply. Coal Markets Expert Taylor Kuykendall, a Commodity Insights senior reporter for S&P Global's Capital IQ, joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the current coal market imbalance, and consider how competing environmental and energy-security concerns may influence markets going forward. Learn more about Capital IQ Pro: https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/solutions/sp-capital-iq-pro. Hear more from Taylor on S&P Global Market Intelligence's Energy Evolution podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ttjcoVpnQNzx8Ho2ZjPWF?si=0d867dd80f864c89. Join the conversation at [email protected].

The LNG industry counts 48 floating regasification and storage units (FSRU) in its global fleet, and demand has exploded as Europe seeks gas-supply optionality after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Charter rates have about doubled this year to approximately $200,000/day. S&P Global LNG Expert Andres Rojas joins EnergyCents this week to put the current FSRU-market tightness into perspective, and consider whether this short-term boom has long-term implications. Learn more about LNG coverage in our Global Gas service at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/global-gas.html and LNG Analytics at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/global-lng-predictive-analytics.html. Join the conversation at [email protected]

Energy-directed capital has long been biased to the molecule thanks to the global scale and operational efficiencies of fossil fuels. Focus has, in some ways, shifted to the electron with the maturation of low-carbon technologies. S&P Global climate finance expert Peter Gardett returns to EnergyCents this week to discuss the complexities of climate-aligned energy investing, and how there's room for both electrons and molecules in a lower-carbon economy. Learn more about our cleantech investment coverage in EnergyView – Climate & Cleantech https://ihsmarkit.com/products/EnergyView-Climate-and-CleanTech-Service.html Hear more from Peter in our On Demand webinar, "Understand and maximize returns in energy transition investments from climate and cleantech fundamental data" https://ihsmarkit.com/events/understand-and-maximize-returns-in-energy-transition-investments-from-climate-and-cleantech-fundamental-data/overview.html

The global energy sector, largely defined by the traditional businesses of oil and gas companies, is increasingly associated with cleantech investment and innovation. S&P Global upstream technology experts Judson Jacobs and Carolyn Seto join EnergyCents this week to discuss how oil and gas companies are approaching energy-sector disruption, and what to expect as high commodity prices offer renewed support for traditional business lines. Learn more about our Upstream Technology and Innovation coverage https://ihsmarkit.com/products/upstream-technology-and-innovation-utai.html

The United States is entering summer with natural gas prices approaching $9/mcf and Lower 48 storage levels 15% below the five-year average, and North America drillers are loath to increase supply as investors force restraint. S&P Global gas markets experts Matthew Palmer and Laurent Ruseckas join EnergyCents this week to discuss how this summer, and how global gas demand increasingly influences North America markets. Learn more about our gas markets coverage in Global Gas service https://ihsmarkit.com/products/global-gas.html and, for investors, EnergyView – Gas, Power, Renewables https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energyview-gas-power-renewables.html Hear more from Laurent in our On Demand webinar, "Identifying institutional investment opportunities in oil and gas markets" https://ihsmarkit.com/events/identifying-institutional-investment-opportunities-in-oil-and-gas-markets/overview.html?utm_campaign=CL_ENR_CSG_26April22_EnergyAdvisory_ET1_PC022175_e-production_E-135164_PRDM_0504_1315&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Russian sanctions have fundamentally altered commodity market conditions, how oil is priced, and the framework used by market participants to form forward price expectations. S&P Global oil markets expert Karim Fawaz joins EnergyCents this week to discuss how energy-security priorities have reshaped global oil markets, and the key areas to watch as we move in the second half of 2022. Learn more about oil markets coverage in Energy Advisory Service https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energy-advisory-service.html Hear more from Karim in our On Demand webinar, "Identifying institutional investment opportunities in oil and gas markets" https://ihsmarkit.com/events/identifying-institutional-investment-opportunities-in-oil-and-gas-markets/overview.html?utm_campaign=CL_ENR_CSG_26April22_EnergyAdvisory_ET1_PC022175_e-production_E-135164_PRDM_0504_1315&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Global solar installations were expected to grow more than 30% in 2022 before COVID restrictions in mainland China impacted operations of the world's largest solar manufacturer. S&P Global solar supply chain experts Siqi He and Cormac Gilligan join EnergyCents this week to discuss the importance of China to solar supply chains, and the potential impacts to 2022 expectations from curtailed manufacturing. Learn more about our solar coverage via Clean Energy Technology: https://ihsmarkit.com/products/clean-energy-technology.html and for financial sector customers via EnergyView – Climate and Cleantech: https://ihsmarkit.com/products/EnergyView-Climate-and-CleanTech-Service.html Access the On-Demand Webinar "Understand and maximize returns in energy transition investments from climate and cleantech fundamental data": https://ihsmarkit.com/events/understand-and-maximize-returns-in-energy-transition-investments-from-climate-and-cleantech-fundamental-data/overview.html

Plug Power Inc., headquartered in Latham, N.Y. is working to build an "end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem" with support from large customers and joint-venture partners that include Walmart, SK E&S, and Renault. Plug CEO Andy Marsh joins EnergyCents to describe the company's evolution since its 1997 founding; discuss how JVs fit into his growth strategy; and offer thoughts on the direction of global hydrogen markets.

Global Upstream merger and acquisition activity increased in 2021 after pandemic-led uncertainty and a reset in the shale sector forced moderation in 2020. Upstream M&A Expert Chris Sheehan joins EnergyCents this week to review trends profiled in his annual Global Upstream M&A Review and Outlook report, and offer thoughts on why 2022 will be a "buyer's market" as operators prioritize asset quality, cash flows, and often low-carbon ambition. Access the On-Demand Webinar Global Upstream M&A Review and Outlook 2022: https://ihsmarkit.com/events/on-demand-global-upstream-ma-review-and-outlook-webinar-series/overview.html?utm_campaign=PC022019&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast. Learn more about our M&A Analysis and data through Companies and Transactions at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energy-company-transaction-research.html.

Nearly 80% of the world's potential offshore wind resources are in waters deeper than 60 meters or in waters with poor seabed conditions. These winds cannot be accessed by traditional bottom-fixed installations – and represent opportunity for nascent floating offshore wind projects. S&P Global Offshore Wind Expert Andrei Utkin joins EnergyCents this week to discuss the growing interest in floating offshore wind, and why we should be looking to Europe, the North Sea, and oil and gas majors for sector leadership. Learn more our offshore wind forecasts and advisory through Clean Energy Technology at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/clean-energy-technology.html and EnergyView – Climate and Cleantech at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/EnergyView-Climate-and-CleanTech-Service.html.

COVID restrictions and Russia sanctions upended seaborne trade patterns over the past several years and are now contributing to levels of consumer price inflation not seen in some 40 years. S&P Global's Vice President of Maritime and Trade Rahul Kapoor joins EnergyCents this week to discuss changes in commodity shipping patterns observed since lockdowns froze global trade in early 2020, and identifies the current trends that may be testing the world's economic resilience. Learn more about Commodities at Sea at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/commodities-at-sea.html. See more about our Energy Advisory Service at https://ihsmarkit.com/products/energy-advisory-service.html.

Many of the more than 1 billion people living in 49 sub-Saharan Africa countries are underserved by reliable electricity generation, leaving a massive opportunity for power-generation investment. However, the challenges – namely stimulating demand and designing the right business model – are equally large. S&P Global Experts on Electricity and Energy Storage Sylvia Macri and George Hilton join EnergyCents this week to discuss the state of power generation in Africa, and where to expect hurdles and enablers of wider electrification.

What a difference a year makes: energy equities are outperforming the broader stock market, and oil majors are well positioned in 2022 to return cash to shareholders via buybacks and dividends. IHS Markit Corporate Equity Analysts Lysle Brinker and Sam Hanna join EnergyCents this week to share the biggest learnings from recently completed earnings season, and how investors should consider the sector as we move deeper into 2022.

Vaca Muerta Shale play is the most important unconventional resource play outside North America. Over the last decade, it has seen significant improvements in productivity and costs, overcoming technical challenges by leveraging technologies and approaches employed in the US shale plays. The play is dominated by Argentine national oil company YPF and, although foreign IOCs are present there, aspects beyond typical ROI calculations make the full development of the play potential likely to relay on YPF and domestic and regional players to be achieved.

Western governments quickly responded to Russia's late February invasion of Ukraine with economic sanctions to discourage further escalation of conflict and lessen what is already a humanitarian tragedy. Initial sanctions excluded Russia's energy supply, though oil and gas markets still reflect scarcity amid uncertainty. S&P Global Expert on European Gas Laurent Ruseckas returns to EnergyCents this week to discuss the implications to European gas markets of Russia's Ukrainian invasion and related sanctions, and how recent events may impact the continent's longer term energy supply strategies. Hear more EnergyCents conversations with Laurent on European gas in prior episodes: • Autumn of discontent: Europe wrestles with spiking natural gas prices (November 2021)at https://soundcloud.com/ihsmarkitenergysolutions/energycents-ep-56-autumn-of-discontent-europe-wrestles-with-spiking-natural-gas-prices • The shape of gas to come: Pipes, politics, and the pursuit of European gas markets (April 2021)at https://soundcloud.com/ihsmarkitenergysolutions/energycents-ep-33-the-shape-of-gas-to-come-pipes-politics-and-the-pursuit-of-europe

IHS Markit's cleantech team released its "Top 10 clean technology trends in 2022" earlier this year, placing bets on the biggest expected movements across solar, battery, and other cleantech sectors. IHS Markit Vice President of Cleantech Eduard Sala de Vedruna joins EnergyCents this week to discuss four of the team's top 10 predictions, as well as disclose his 11th prediction – which didn't quite make it on this year's short list. Download the report: https://ihsmarkit.com/Info/0122/cleanenergytechtrends2022.html.

Structural declines in fuel demand will lead to reduction in global refining capacity over the coming years and decades. Where then might lie opportunities for growth-directed investment? IHS Markit's Head of Americas Refining Debnil Chowdhury joins EnergyCents this week to consider the changing incentives of Downstream executives, the opportunity for biofuels with aircraft, and the prospects for traditional fuel demand in emerging markets.