Drilling in the Permian
US oil and gas sector facing insurance challenges
The market has hardened significantly, but there are strategies energy companies can employ to mitigate its impact
The US domestic energy insurance sector has faced significant difficulties in recent years—including nuclear verdicts, rising inflation rates, natural disasters, environmental concerns and the impact of Covid-19. These challenges have created a hard insurance market for oil and gas companies. Nuclear verdicts—a term for exceptionally high jury awards—have been one of the major factors. Attorneys have been successful in persuading juries on claims of company negligence in various sectors, including oil and gas, resulting in huge payouts. This has led to a growing trend in liability risk and costs, also known as ‘social inflation’. Small-to-medium-size businesses have been particularly affecte
Also in this section
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment
