Tech stack: Upstream sector looks to artificial intelligence in next leg of innovation (Ep 196)

The data-hungry upstream sector has been working with artificial intelligence for more than 40 years to, among other things, mitigate subsurface risks and predict production. Upstream expert Rachael Moreland joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the oil and gas industry’s history with AI adoption and where in the upstream value chain she’s most excited about the applications of modern innovation. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en

Global crude demand begins to peak in 2027 despite longer-term growth trajectories for both jet fuel and naphtha, according to the most recent update of S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Annual Strategic Workbook covering oil markets. Oil and refined products experts Matt Andre and Shiva Gupta join EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the key messages from their updated long-term global crude oil forecasts and how oil and refined products remain a meaningful part of global energy supply even after demand peaks. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en

Lazard Inc. is one of the world's leading financial advisory and asset management firms. The company’s Financial Advisory practice supports its clients on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, debt and capital structure and capital raising. Its Asset Management segment provides a range investment solutions to institutions, corporations, governments, partnerships, family offices, and high net worth individuals. Spiro Youakim, Lazard’s Global Head of Natural Resources and co-head of European Energy and Renewables, joins EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss his role as an advisor at Lazard and share his growing optimism for the prospects of European energy companies after many years of underappreciation by the global investment community. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en

The US biofuels industry begins 2025 facing significant policy uncertainty, despite having produced record volumes of ethanol, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel in 2024. Biofuels expert Corey Lavinsky joins EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the current state of US biofuels and the implications of evolving federal policies on developers and their projects. For more information on S&P Global Commodity Insights' energy coverage, visit: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en.

The role of North American gas is set to expand as LNG exports and domestic power demands increase the call on the domestic supply. However, there remains uncertainty in both the timing and levels of expected demand growth.  North America gas expert Sara Hakim joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the current state of North America gas and how the sector will respond to calls for growth.   Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en

As adoption of AI expands across the globe, through LLMs, Cloud services, inferencing, and network hubs, more power-hungry data centers are needed to meet this demand. With this expansion of technology, regions are taking different approaches on how to build out this infrastructure, with plans for new hubs being announced regularly.   AI and Datacentre Research Director Kelly Morgan joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys on this week's episode of EnergyCents to discuss just how many of these new facilities will be realized, and what impact the likes of DeepSeek and other new technologies will have on these plans as efficiencies of this technology improves.

Canadian-based Ideon Technologies is revolutionizing the exploration of subsurface resources through its use of cutting edge, cosmic-ray muon tomography. The company provides customers innovative solutions for sustainable and efficient resource discovery, making signiificant strides in reducing environmental impact whilst enhancing operational efficiency.  Gary Agnew, CEO and co-founder, joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to introduce Ideon Technologies business model and technology led outlook as it continues to scale, driven by significant investments and strategic partnerships. Learn more about Ideon Technologies here: Unlock Subsurface Potential with the Ideon REVEAL™ Platform

Europe is making progress against its net-zero ambitions and is generating about 70% of its electricity from carbon-free sources, including nuclear. However, wholesale prices remain high following the 2022 energy crisis, and demand has yet to return to pre-Covid levels. European power market experts Sylvain Cognet-Dauphin and Coralie Laurencin join EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Samantha Humphreys to discuss the current state of European power markets and how evolving government policy seeks to balance climate, security, and affordability priorities. Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en

Denver-based Redaptive is an energy-as-a-service company that works with commercial and industrial customers to fund and install energy-cost saving equipment. The self-described ‘one stop shop’ was founded in 2015 and provides its customers access to three core services: capital for energy-cost saving equipment installations, a data platform measuring the impact of those installations on utility expenses, and a marketplace that connects contractors with Redaptive’s commercial and industrial customers. Arvin Vohra, Redaptive CEO, joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to introduce Redaptive’s infrastructure-plus business model and describe how its three-pillar program can generate measurable value by lowering the energy bills of its commercial and industrial customers. Learn more about Redaptive at: https://redaptive.com/company Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en  

Led by corporate mergers, nearly $160 billion in merger-and-acquisition activity took place within the global upstream sector in 2024. Producers will continue to use acquisitions to grow their portfolios going forward as they bid for scale in a dynamic, and fragmenting, energy landscape. Upstream expert Chris Sheehan joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Samantha Humphreys to discuss the role oil and gas deals will play in 2025, and what regions and asset types may be most attractive to buyers. Hear Chris and team discuss upstream M&A trends in more detail during one of three webinars scheduled for the first week of April 2025. Register here: Global Upstream M&A Review 2025: Revival of the fittest - M&A opportunities in a shifting landscape Learn more about S&P Global Commodity Insights energy coverage at: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en