REVVING UP: NEW GAS & PETROLEUM TRENDS THAT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND FUTURISTS ARE MONITORING

As more countries set net-zero emissions targets, carbon capture and storage (CCS) will exponentially grow to abate fossil fuel emissions across gas, oil and petrochemical operations. From carbon dioxide removal to conversion into fuels, polymers or concrete, CCS deployment allows hydrocarbon-based businesses to decarbonize. Government incentives for emission-reduction infrastructure and carbon credit markets will also accelerate projects across the 2024 and 2025 calendar years.

Digitalization to Optimize Production Assets

The integration of digital tools like industrial IoT, predictive data analytics, AI, and advanced process automation will drive the next wave of efficiency for gas and oil. Connecting infrastructure to leverage real-time drilling, pipeline and platform data provides operational insights to minimize downtimes, optimize production and lower risks. As 5G networks expand, more equipment will be remotedly monitored without offshore teams.

Investments into Clean Hydrogen Capabilities

Many companies will allocate capital to build large-scale clean hydrogen production, storage and transportation capabilities. Produced via renewable energy powered electrolysis, clean hydrogen serves as a versatile green fuel for power generation or transport applications. Blending hydrogen with natural gas can also curb end-use emissions in industry and buildings. Regulations prioritizing low carbon hydrogen to meet climate goals will further incentivize investments.

Geopolitical Shifts Changing Energy Flows

Global energy supply chains face ongoing geopolitical instability from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions around OPEC production cuts and Middle East uncertainty. That drives strategic petroleum reserve policy changes and drilling rights reallocations. Resulting oil and gas price volatility, embargoes on certain producers, and accelerating energy transition plans will reshape industry investment priorities through 2025.

Mitigating Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Threats

From cyberattacks to physical damage, critical gas and oil infrastructure is vulnerable to external threats. Weather disasters like hurricanes also heighten supply disruption risks. Companies will ramp up network monitoring, breach planning, system redundancies and coordinated response exercises in collaboration with government agencies. Hardening infrastructure resilience against intensifying cyber and climate threats becomes essential.