Podcast Archives - Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

In this latest episode of the OIES podcast, the OIES China Energy Programme’s Michal Meidan and Anders Hove discuss the recent Trump-Xi meeting; China’s response to the Iran war and their latest analysis of the country’s 15th Energy Five-Year Plan. Energy security runs through all three topics. They assess the limited energy deliverables emerging from the US–China summit; examine whether China’s electrification and clean-energy exports are materially insulating global oil markets from geopolitical disruption; and consider the scope for Chinese exports of refined products to alleviate tightness in global markets. On the Five-Year Plan, Michal and Anders unpack its central themes of security and integration, from electrification, oil substitution and domestic supply-chain resilience to renewable integration, flexibility, distributed solar and power-market reform. The post OIES Podcast – China update: The Trump–Xi Meeting, Iran and the 15th Five-Year Plan appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

In this latest OIES podcast, from the Energy Transition programme, James Henderson talks to Martin Lambert and Alex Barnes about their articles in the latest Oxford Energy Forum on the topic of the development of a hydrogen market. We start with an assessment of the key policy instruments being used by governments to encourage hydrogen develop before moving onto three different examples of subsidy schemes being used in Europe – the European Hydrogen Bank, the UK’s Contract for Difference auctions and the H2Global two-sided auction being used in Germany. Martin reviews the progress with each of these and assesses their strengths and weaknesses before Alex argues for a broader model under which governments support projects according to the actual emissions which they avoid, rather than just subsidising the cost of hydrogen supply. He argues that that would result in a more logical economic and environmental outcome and would protect customers from the risk of changes in government policy around carbon taxes. In this way demand for hydrogen would be more bankable for the long-term, and would create a more realistic foundation for the development of the entire hydrogen value chain. The post OIES Podcast – Subsidising hydrogen and creating bankable demand appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

In this latest OIES podcast, from the Gas Programme, James Henderson talks to Jack Sharples and Mike Fulwood about their recent research on the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on global LNG trade and the prospects for gas storage in Europe over the winter of 2026/27. The podcast starts with a review of flows of LNG out of the Gulf and the impact of the latest military action in the region, with a focus on when and if significant LNG can flow from Qatar and the UAE again. We also look at the development of alternative sources of LNG supply as well as the demand response in Asia, before turning to the impact on Europe and the increasing concerns over the levels of gas in storage ahead of the coming winter. We review injection rates to date, discuss the likely inflows over the next two months and assess the possible impact of various weather scenarios through to April 2027. We then conclude by taking a medium-term look into next year and assess the likely availability of LNG as well as the key sources of demand, including European storage which could be at very low levels by the end of winter. The post OIES Podcast – LNG flows and the outlook for gas storage in Europe appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

In this latest OIES podcast, from the Gas Programme, James Henderson talks to Aliaksei Patonia about the latest edition of the Oxford Energy Forum which looks at the changing perceptions around the future of hydrogen. The overarching theme of the Forum, and the podcast, addresses the problem of bankable demand for hydrogen and how firm offtake agreements can be signed to secure the future of the fuel across the entire value chain. As well as discussing specific sectors, we also look at different regions with a specific focus on China and Europe. The Chinese example is discussed in detail to see if there are indicators for development in other parts of the world, while the question in Europe is whether the sector is being developed in the correct order, with a risk of infrastructure overbuild. From a sectoral perspective, the refining sector is seen as a potential foundation for the initial offtake of clean hydrogen, while green steel also has significant potential. The question of government support is also analysed, with discussion around appropriate subsidisation of the industry and the correct allocation of risk between the various players in the value chain. Finally, the issue of hydrogen as a tradeable commodity is addressed, looking at the key stepping stones towards the development of an internationally traded market. The post OIES Podcast – Clean Hydrogen for Decarbonisation: From Hype to Realism appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

The signing of the MOU between Iran and the US on June 17 was expected to bring greater clarity and stability to oil markets. Instead, the past few months have brought increased uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, the trajectory of oil flows and the broader market outlook. In this podcast, Bassam Fattouh talks with Paul Horsnell about the latest developments in global oil markets. They discuss: Whether the current “no agreement, no war” situation represents a relatively stable equilibrium or a temporary pause before tensions escalate further. The significance and sustainability of emerging trading practices in the Gulf, including shuttle services, ship-to-ship transfers and increasingly opaque trading channels, and what these developments mean for oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. How the depletion of strategic reserves, commercial stocks and other market buffers could shape the next phase of the oil market adjustment, and whether rising crude prices reflect the diminishing effectiveness of these buffers among other factors. Why market stress has been more pronounced in refined products, particularly middle distillates, and how refining constraints, crude availability and oil demand are interacting. Whether the recent weakness in oil demand reflects structural changes in consumption or temporary demand rationing caused by supply constraints, and the potential for demand to rebound as supply conditions improve. The reasons behind the wide divergence in expectations for oil-market balances in 2026 and 2027, including the timing and scale of a potential surplus. The key areas of uncertainty on the supply side, including the recovery of Gulf production, UAE output and OPEC policy, US shale production and other sources of supply. The key developments and indicators to watch through the end of 2026 that could reshape oil-market balances, prices and the broader market narrative. The post OIES Podcast – Navigating the Global Oil Market Outlook appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.