Dr Carole Nakhle

Dr Carole Nakhle is an internationally recognised energy economist and the Founder & CEO of the multi-award-winning Crystol Energy, renowned for its independent expertise on global energy markets, policy, and geopolitics. Crystol Energy is a proud member of the International Energy Forum’s Industry Advisory Council. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr Nakhle has worked with governments, major energy companies including Eni and Equinor, and international organisations and financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank. She has also contributed to the work of key organisations, including the OECD and COP28. She serves as Secretary General of the Arab Energy Club, Board Member at the Natural Resource Governance Institute, and Lead Energy Expert at Geopolitical Intelligence Services. A prolific author and media commentator, her two books - Petroleum Taxation: Sharing the Wealth and Out of the Energy Labyrinth (co-authored with Lord Howell, former UK Energy Secretary) - are widely cited references. She is regularly featured on leading international news networks. Dr Nakhle has lectured at prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford, the University of Surrey, and the Graduate Institute in Geneva. A strong advocate for inclusion, she founded Access for Women in Energy and has received multiple international honours, including Arab Woman Entrepreneur, CEO of the Year UK, and Fellowship of the Energy Institute.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

17:10

Digitalisation & AI ICC Hall B 17:10 - 17:40

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.

15:05

Hydrogen Conference Room A 15:05 - 15:35

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.