Global oil demand to disappoint
Peak requirements may be here much quicker than in some forecasts
Oil consumption is expected to continue to grow through 2040, albeit at an increasingly gradual pace, according to base case scenarios from major oil forecasting organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA). But there are reasons to conclude oil demand will peak sooner rather than later, and the decline may be surprisingly precipitous thereafter. Slower than expected economic growth because of US-China tensions; greater concern about oil security given this new superpower rivalry, as well as the vulnerability of key oil infrastructure in an unstable Mid-East Gulf; more powerful environmental movements targeting climate change, local air pollution and oil-based plastics; and t
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
