Between a rock and a hairpiece
America’s oil industry sees no love in Hillary Clinton’s green agenda but fears Trump’s populist bluster
Hillary or the Donald? If you’re an oil and gas executive or lobbyist, the contest that looks likely to emerge from the US primary season offers a dismal choice. The industry has overwhelmingly supported the Republican Party in recent elections, and resoundingly backed the conservative Texas senator Ted Cruz in the Republican primary this year. (At the time of writing, Cruz still had a slim chance of overtaking Trump for the nomination.) But a Trump presidency is not how most senior oilmen would have envisaged a Republican White House. If his campaign is anything to go by, unpredictability would be its hallmark. If his downright offensive – not to say racist and divisive – primary-season pos
Also in this section
18 December 2024
The energy transition will not succeed without a reliable baseload, but the world risks a shortfall unless more money goes into gas
18 December 2024
The December/January issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
17 December 2024
Structurally lower GDP growth and the need for a different economic model will contribute to a significant slowdown
17 December 2024
Policymakers and stakeholders must work together to develop a stable and predictable fiscal regime that prioritises the country’s energy security and economy