Kazakhstan is grappling with the same fiscal and capital pressures as other recent ex-members of OPEC and OPEC+. Will Astana arrive at the same decision to leave the cartel?

The UAE’s exit from OPEC marks the third member in seven years to leave the cartel. Given looming peak oil demand and OPEC’s dwindling share of global production: it won’t be the last.

UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC may have come as a shock to some, but this is a decision that was made incrementally, across fifteen years, and in theaters far from any OPEC meeting room.

Trump will bring a long list of asks when he visits the Middle East for the first formal trip of his second term. But the Gulf states are not passive actors, and they will be making requests of their own.

The Russian economy, supported by its energy sector, has successfully weathered the brunt of Western sanctions so far. But this resilience is predicated on China’s unwavering support and pre-war reserves, both of which are finite.

Not only has US shale survived early attempts by OPEC+ to squeeze out its operations, but it’s now coming for longstanding OPEC+ markets.

Angola’s departure from OPEC+ is unlikely to move oil markets, but it certainly doesn’t bode well for the future cohesion of the cartel.

Weak oil demand is projected to persist through the first half of 2021, compounding divisions within the OPEC+ cartel.

COVID-19 price pressures have savaged the fiscal health of oil producing states. Which ones will be hurting the most in 2021?

Security and development deficiencies lurk behind many of the factors that are keeping Nigeria’s energy sector from realizing its considerable economic promise.

Past OPEC+ deals have been long on hype and short on substance, and this one is unlikely to be any different.

Which exporters stand to lose the most if oil continues to hover at the $50 mark?

China’s coronavirus outbreak couldn’t have come at a worse time for oversupplied oil and natural gas markets.

Riyadh’s evident vulnerability will lead to a search for new regional allies, and Israel is a surprising possible candidate.

The diplomatic consequences are mounting for Saudi Arabia after the apparent assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Oil traders are bullish in the shadow of pending Iran sanctions, with some projections suggesting a return of $100-per-barrel prices.

President Trump’s cozy relationship with Saudi Arabia failed to translate into a production hike from OPEC+ over the weekend.

Iran’s biggest customers are scrambling to secure alternative sources of oil supply.

In Vienna, OPEC+ displayed its greatest strength… and its greatest weakness.

Another attempt at Taliban talks in Afghanistan, Venezuela’s oil industry struggles to fulfil its contracts, and Turkey secures a YPG pullout from Manbij.