Do tariffs and trade barriers underpin global energy security, or do they undermine the cooperation it depends on?

As nations seek to strengthen their energy resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty, trade policy has become an increasingly powerful instrument. Tariffs and other protective measures can reinforce domestic manufacturing capacity and buffer economies from external shocks - but they can also disrupt supply chains, slow the deployment of clean technologies, and risk new economic fault lines. In a rapidly evolving energy landscape, do tariffs and trade barriers serve as essential tools for energy security, or do they risk undermining the global cooperation needed for long-term solutions?

Debate positions:

• Pro: Strategic tariffs and trade measures can reduce dependency on unstable suppliers, build regional self-sufficiency in critical energy materials, and create a more resilient and diversified foundation for long-term energy security.
• Con: Overreliance on trade protectionism can raise costs, fragment international markets, and impede the scaling of clean energy solutions needed for long-term security and sustainability.

Attendee insights: 

This session explores the fine line between economic sovereignty and global collaboration in safeguarding energy security. Delegates will gain insight into how fiscal and trade instruments - from tariffs to incentives - shape both the traditional and low-carbon energy landscape.

Redefining the upstream industry: the new leadership agenda

The upstream industry has seen rapid transformation in recent years. Technology has been instrumental in this, as companies have focused on cost resilience by leveraging AI and digital technologies. Additionally, capital investment in the oil and gas sector will need to scale to meet rising demand – supporting long-term energy security while maximising shareholder value.

For upstream energy leaders, strategies can include both growth and consolidation in the form of portfolio diversification, strategic acquisitions and mergers, and scaling operations. In addition, with increased supply and lower oil price forecasts, cost reduction is imperative, and operators must champion integrated solutions across all operational aspects.

Additionally, investments can accelerate breakthroughs in scalable technologies such as renewable energy integration, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and Direct Air Capture (DAC), as well as advanced analytics to increase energy and production efficiency. Challenges remain in finding the right balance between decarbonisation and profitability priorities, which upstream leaders will have to navigate while simultaneously maintaining targets amidst shifting market dynamics.

Attendee insights:

Learn from energy companies about what their priorities are in upstream and how they are changing their business models to adapt to the current industry needs.

AI talent revolution in energy: building the human-AI workforce

The wide adoption of AI is transforming not just technological capabilities, but the human talent that drives the industry forward. To remain resilient and competitive in our modern age of disruption, energy leaders must revisit their talent strategies to prepare for the world of tomorrow. To achieve success, they must facilitate close collaboration between human experts and AI agents. While remaining inclusive of the traditional skills associated with the energy industry, leaders must develop a technological skilled workforce including expertise to guide and interpret AI process to oversight and validation roles.  Energy companies must take real steps to realign their talent pools and seek a blend of human expertise with machine-driven intelligence to unlock real operational value.

Attendee insights:

Learn how leading energy companies are preparing AI-ready workforces by cultivating dynamic skills and adaptable structures, building capabilities through cross-functional teams, innovative training methods, and continuous learning models to empower employees and ensure the success of AI-driven operations.

From incentives to mandates: policy levers that drive hydrogen adoption

Accelerating the hydrogen market is a formidable challenge, one that parallels the maturation trajectories of sectors like liquefied natural gas (LNG) and solar. Demand-pull strategies, such as the requirement for a certain percentage of hydrogen used in specific sectors to be green, can fuel demand and encourage investment in production facilities. At the same time, policy mandates can reduce investment risks by establishing clear targets and regulations – factors that are particularly important in the early stages of technology development and infrastructure expansion. Additionally, subsidies, tax credits and carbon pricing mechanisms can be leveraged to reduce the green premium of hydrogen production. For instance, the section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit implemented as part of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act may have been one of the most competitive incentives globally, but it remains to be seen whether administration-related changes will impact its roll-out. In any case, effective policy mandates have the potential to significantly accelerate the transition to adopting hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.     

Attendee insights: 

Understand the delicate balance between policy-driven demand and organic market growth. Join the conversation around strategic frameworks that align regulatory actions with industry investments and technological advancements.  

Refining in the age of AI: from process optimisation to digital infrastructure development

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and refining is reshaping both operational efficiency and strategic direction across the downstream sector. AI is now embedded in a range of core industry functions, from process optimisation and energy use to emissions tracking and asset reliability, enabling producers to improve margins and performance under mounting pressure. At the same time, the rise of AI infrastructure, including data centres and semiconductor manufacturing, is generating new demand for high-purity chemicals, thermal management fluids and reliable energy -  areas in which refiners and chemical producers play a vital role. This two-way relationship is placing downstream operators at the centre of a broader industrial shift: as adopters of AI technology and enablers of its physical ecosystem. Navigating this dual transformation will require new investment strategies, material innovation and closer alignment between digital priorities and supply chain capabilities. Questions remain around not only how AI can optimise refining, but also how it can position itself as an indispensable partner in a data-driven, AI-powered energy landscape.

Attendee insights:

Understand how refining is evolving as both a user of AI and a supplier to its infrastructure and explore the future impacts of this dual role on investment, innovation and competitiveness.