In 2026, what will define success in the oil and gas industry? In this podcast, industry experts Jorge Herrera and Aneel Bhandari examine the need to master cost control, risk visibility and operational discipline in a year that will squeeze margins and push asset productivity to the foreground. On the technology side, AI and digital twins are moving beyond back-office support to drive real-time decisions, predict failures and improve processes. They also look at how methane abatement and carbon capture are being integrated into day-to-day operations, bringing them closer to the oil and gas business model.

Denise Hamilton joins Rachel McGhie, conference director, WGLC to follow up from her electric keynote at WGLC 2025 in October. In this podcast they discuss why connection, communication and community are the skills leaders need most right now.

2026 could be a pivotal year for the oil & gas industry, as long-standing challenges in maintenance and asset management come back into focus. Many operators still face fragmented systems, limited visibility across engineering, safety, and maintenance and difficulty linking day-to-day activities with business goals. In this episode, Gemma and Dennis explain how building a physical digital twin provides the reliable data backbone needed for risk-based maintenance, regulatory compliance, and ESG reporting—and how it connects with performance, integrity and maintenance twins to give asset teams consistent, trusted information across the enterprise.

Dennis Joel, CEO, AIQ, discusses the transformative role of AI in the energy sector, particularly in optimizing operations and enhancing sustainability. He highlights AIQ's collaboration with ADNOC and other global partners to develop innovative solutions that redefine industry roles and improve efficiency. The discussion also touches on the future of AI in oil and gas, emphasizing the potential for AI to change the narrative around the industry and contribute positively to society.

Welcome to the first episode of a new podcast series launched by Petroleum Economist: 'What’s up with gas?' The series will cover the key developments happening in the natural gas space. In this episode, we discuss sanctions on Russian energy and specifically the US position on ongoing purchases of Arctic LNG 2 cargoes by Russia, the EU’s bold plan to eliminate Russian energy use and the outlook for gas demand and supply both in the short and long term.

In this episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, host Rachel McGhie speaks with Melissa Gould of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT-US) about the vital role women are playing in subsea technology, offshore energy, and the blue economy. Melissa shares how SUT’s Women in Industry initiative is building inclusiveness, encouraging participation, and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. From mentorship and networking to breaking barriers and embracing curiosity, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, equity, and the future of energy.

In this episode of the WGLC Podcast Series: Empowered to Lead, Rachel McGhie speaks with Lamé Verre, co-founder of Lean In Equity & Sustainability. Lamé shares her journey as an advocate and changemaker, the gaps she saw in representation across the energy and sustainability sectors, and how her platform is driving progress for women—especially women of color. Together, they explore why equity matters, how mentorship and networks fuel leadership, and what true empowerment looks like in boardrooms, strategy teams, and across the global energy landscape.

Tune in for insights on building inclusive leadership, the transformative role of WGLC, and a bold vision for the future of women in energy.

Middle East gas could provide an economic and more sustainable energy option especially in terms of meeting local demand, Crystol Energy CEO Carole Nakhle tells Petroleum Economist’s Paul Hickin. She warns against oversimplifying energy debates around peak demand, explains the evolutionary role of OPEC and talks about the importance of diversifying Middle East economies not just regional energy mixes along with the role of fiscal systems to maximise a country’s strengths