Opec confronts security and investment challenges
The organisation’s secretary general has concerns on vulnerability of infrastructure and ESG investment agenda
The oil industry faces two escalating challenges in the shape of risks of attacks on refineries and other infrastructure and investors turning away from the sector, Opec secretary general Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo told delegates at the Oil & Money conference in London on Thursday. The drone and missile attack on Saudi Aramco’s facilities in September—which took out half of the of the world’s largest producer’s processing capacity—highlighted vulnerabilities to the energy infrastructure more widely. And Barkindo’s concern was vindicated after the conference when, on Friday morning, Iran confirmed a supertanker, en route to Syria, was hit by missiles. Earlier this week, Turkey embarked on
Also in this section
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
