Oil and gas

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Oil and natural gas remain the world's leading fuels, accounting for nearly 55% of global energy consumption

Oil and natural gas, formed from decayed organic matter subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, are key energy sources that have bolstered economic sectors such as residential heating, transportation, and manufacturing. However, their role in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental disasters like oil spills has pressured the industry amidst the low carbon transition. Despite this, over 100 countries produce these fuels, and they remain significant in the energy sector. The industry is split into upstream (exploration and extraction), midstream (transport and storage), and downstream (refining and sale). Product forms include natural gas, LPG, petrol, diesel, and other petrochemicals. Recent trends show increased use of natural gas due to its cleaner burn compared to oil and coal, the rise of LNG technology, and advancements in shale gas production. Future supply depends on new deposits and production technology, while CCUS developments will influence the long-term energy mix.

You can further explore the three sectors by clicking the links below:

Learn more about oil and gas extraction by exploring our Energy Insights.

For the latest news and articles on exploration and production read New Energy World.

Explore our dedicated collections on Road Fuels and Shale Gas.

What's new?

Global FLNG capacity will triple by decade-end, while LNG supply is set to surge in 2026, say new reports

6th August 2025

Rystad estimates global FLNG capacity will reach 42mn t/y by 2030, climbing to 55mn t/y by 2035, almost four times the 14.1mn t/y recorded in 2024. Te...

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Middle East to overtake Asia in gas output in 2025, predicts market report

23rd July 2025

The Middle East currently produces about 69.6bn cf/d of gas, up from an average of 67.1bn cf/d in 2024, reports Rystad. Production is forecast to incr...

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Nations of the Andes power ahead with plans for an interconnected regional electricity market and other grid improvements

23rd July 2025

  Countries of the Andes agree to consolidate regional electricity integration and interconnectionBolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru...

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Study reveals multi-million-dollar energy blind spot in pump efficiency

16th July 2025

Despite being responsible for 20% of global electricity demand, pumps are rarely prioritised in energy efficiency strategies, with many operators focu...

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Heathrow substation fire caused by moisture in electrics

9th July 2025

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published its final report from the review into the North Hyde substation outage which took place late ...

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Events and training

Safety Critical Task Analysis – October 2025

3rd October 2025 - 7th November 2025

6 X 1.5hr seminars (and Bonus material) on Human Factors Safety Critical Task Analysis (SCTA). 

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Human Factors Foundation - October 2025

6th October 2025 - 10th October 2025

This 5-day course delivers a comprehensive introduction into human factors for non-specialists. It provides a practical, engaging and interactive back...

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Economics of the Oil and Gas Industry - October 2025

13th October 2025 - 14th October 2025

A 2-day introduction to the economics of the oil and gas industry. This course is suitable for students who are new to the oil and gas industry.

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Maintenance Strategy Fundamentals - October 2025

17th October 2025 - 20th October 2025

In this 2 half-day training course on the 17 & 20 of October 2025, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding to develop an efficie...

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Introduction to LNG - October 2025

20th October 2025 - 21st October 2025

This 2-day training course provides an introduction to the LNG chain. Suitable for students who are new to the LNG sector and/or those with a non-tech...

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Technical guidance publications

HM 56/API MPMS Ch 10.10 – On-line measurement of water content in petroleum and petroleum products

July 2025

This document provides guidance for the application, installation, operation, verification, and proving of on-line water devices (OWDs) for use in the...

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EI 3570

Research report: Circular economy indicators, potential for use in the oil and gas industry (2nd edition)

June 2025

This report explores how to measure circular economy (CE) practices in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. Developed in partnership with Ipieca, it outlin...

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IP 643: Automotive fuels – Determination of content of butoxy-benzene in middle distillates – Gas chromatographic method using a flame ionization detector (GC-FID)

June 2025

This document specifies a test method for the determination of the content of n-butyl phenyl ether (BPE, CAS: 1126-79-0, also known as butoxy-benzene)...

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HM 100. Procedures for the inspection and quantification of LNG cargoes

June 2025

This document provides cargo measurement procedures for liquified natural gas (LNG) for use primarily by cargo inspectors and those instructing nomina...

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EI 3588

Recommended practices for methane emissions detection and quantification technologies – upstream

May 2025

Responding to the continuous advancement of technology, the Energy Institute, Ipieca, IOGP, and OGCI have updated their guidance and online tool to su...

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You may also be interested in

Shale gas collection

The Shale gas Collection addresses the scientific and technological aspects of shale gas and its development. You can also download our publication: An Energy Essentials guide to shale gas

Oil & Gas training

The EI offers a comprehensive portfolio of oil and gas training courses.

RGU Aberdeen
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