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
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
