#BRIDialogues

In BRI Dialogues D-32 we have the pleasure of welcoming back Durham alumnus, Andrew Critchlow @baldersdale , the regional Head of News in EMEA for S&P Global Platts @SPGCI
Andrew has over 21 years of experience managing news teams and writing about energy, commodities, and international business. Previously, among other esteemed roles, Andrew has worked as Middle East editor at Reuters Breaking news and as commodities editor at The Telegraph newspaper.
A lot has changed since last year when we had Andrew with us on BRI Dialogues D13.
Andrew reminds us about the importance of geopolitical developments of late , and impact of a range of dramatic developments on energy markets and beyond, from expansion of Shanghai Cooperation Council to doubling down by #OPEC + and the significant entente between Iran and KSA brokered by China.
So it was a great timing to have Andrew back to take a close look at the energy markets, and to learn and understand why Iran was the FF (first frontier) of oil exploration and yet in 2023 despite all the sanctions and it remains, with its largest combined reserves of oil and gas, the LF (last frontier).
Andrew discussed with us the potential impact of AI and explained that the growing role of algorithmic momentum funds is something that the industry has been used to for some time.
Of particular interest was discussion of how Central Banks used to have data releases and news organisations had to pay to plug into the Central Banks data sets and forecasts. Literally the length of the cable to the financial news organisations, trading houses, and how this rapid flow of informations and flash tradings could have unwelcome results.
AI, Andrew reflected, will have an impact on future oil/commodity tradings.
We also talked about KSA’s ambitions to move away from an oil economy to cloud and data centres and yet how ironically these ambitions remain electricity hungry and as a result may remain dependent even on buying cheap oil from Russia and exporting its own capacities at higher prices to the global markets.
Andrew also helped us unpack why Eastern Mediterranean gas explorations and reserves are not of a major concern or interest to China and why this remains a regional play between the Med countries.
And it is hard not to talk to someone with Andrew’s insights about Net Zero. Andrew is of the opinion that activism of organisations like Extinction Rebellion has been very helpful in raising awareness and putting emissions on the political agenda, and he raised the anecdote that oil majors and producers may begin to argue that “It’s not the oil to blame but emissions, so we need to get rid of omissions if we wish to have a true Net Zero economy".
The BRI Dialogues provide support and insights for senior executives and decision makers in both private and public sectors, on China and its BRI programme of activities. Our overriding aim is to establish a clearer appreciation of how to ‘COPE’ with China.
COPE in BRI Dialogues means how to deal with Complexities, to capitalise on Opportunities, to understand her return to Power, and brace for the impact of Externalities of China.
So here is D32 (Dialogue 32), sit back and get engaged in the conversation and share your thoughts, comments and insights.
We are excited about our series of serious conversations and are grateful to you for giving up some of your valuable time to tune in.
#china #BRI #BRIDialogues #Oil #Gas #Energy #Geopolitics #globalsouth #decoupling #GlobalSecurityInitiative #G77 #Renewables #AI #Oilprices #capitalmarkets #energy #China #KSA