Outlook 2022: US bipartisanship and regional divergence
The North American powerhouse will need to develop several energy transitions to green its economy, but has taken important baby steps
The future of energy is increasingly intertwined with the ‘energy transition’, but labelling the changes we are currently seeing, and have yet to see, in singular form is a misnomer. The future of energy will be defined by multiple energy transitions as different regions of the world evolve in ways that reflect a concept that is central to economic development—the principle of comparative advantage. From 1990 to 2020, the primary energy mix in the US changed but fossil fuels consistently accounted for more than 80pc of total energy use. While last year was an aberration due to the pandemic, and 2021 is turning out to look more like 2019, the stresses that were placed on supply chains and
Also in this section
29 April 2026
The UAE’s exit from the alliance marks a decisive step towards a world in which oil markets are shaped less by collective management and more by national strategy
29 April 2026
Trafigura’s $1b prepayment agreement confirms African resource holders’ renewed interest in oil-backed financing deals as they look to capitalise on high oil prices
29 April 2026
The UAE’s departure from the oil producers’ group was a surprise to many, but the move can be traced back to a single point five years ago
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations






