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The Edge

Weekly insights from our chairman and chief analyst, Simon Flowers, on the issues shaping your industry

 

Meet our Chief Analyst

Welcome to the Edge, the exclusive column from our Chairman & Chief Analyst, Simon Flowers. Drawing on the expertise, intelligence, deep insight and data from across the business, Simon gives his views on the subjects driving debate and shaping our markets.

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Latest Post

Low risk resource-capture strategies

Addressing the timely boom in access to giant oil and gas discoveries, Simon Flowers looks at some low risk resource-capture strategies in this week's issue of The Edge.

Recent Posts

How to stop Nigeria’s oil industry losing relevance

What would it take to make Nigeria's oil industry competitive again? Simon Flowers investigates.

Could US gas producers capture more margin?

A year of torpor, then the US gas market springs into life. Henry Hub price has shot up to over US$4.50/mmbtu in a volatile week after flat-lining below US$3/mmbtu since last March. What does this mean for global gas markets?

Five reasons we might have hit peak Permania

The US’s premier tight oil play has been the beating heart of industry activity these last few years. Soaring rig numbers, prolific production growth and the gravitational pull of a black hole when it comes to M&A. US L48 tight oil accounted for one-third of global upstream M&A spend in the last three years, with the Permian attracting US$2 out of every US$3 of that. But have we now passed peak Permania? Simon Flowers investigates.

What if the energy transition accelerates?

What if the energy transition accelerates? And what that could mean for renewables, coal, oil, gas and emissions. Simon Flowers investigates.

Could Iran sanctions see Brent spike to U.S.$100 a barrel?

Could Iran Sanctions See Brent Spike to U.S.$100 a barrel? The oil market faces a precarious few months. The imposition of U.S. secondary sanctions on Iranian exports on November 5 is the critical factor behind Brent’s rally to more than U.S.$80 a barrel in October. There’s enough supply to meet demand this winter, but the margin for error is worryingly narrow.

The Majors and US tight oil

Simon Flowers looks at what tight oil has in common with top tech stocks.

Geopolitics and the transition from oil to electric vehicles

Will geopolitics forever dog the transportation sector, even when electric vehicles (EVs) replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles? Simon Flowers investigates.

Is the Global Energy Transition on track?

Global targets and societal pressure are driving innovation, but are we doing enough? Simon Flowers investigates.

Capital efficiency: the big question for US unconventionals

Is US shale the paragon of upstream productivity it’s cracked up to be? As the marginal suppliers, shale gas and tight oil operators ought to be adept at managing for margin and all that’s about. Simon Flowers investigates.