14 Dec 2021 | 15:00 UTC

Listen: Oil and gas industry strikes back against energy transition at the World Petroleum Congress

The World Petroleum Congress in Houston brought back a sense of normalcy to the energy sector as both the industry and the world continue to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. But the other existential threat for fossil fuels is the burgeoning energy transition and switch to cleaner sources of power and fuels. At the conference, many oil and gas executives pushed back at the notion of a seamless transition, arguing that fossil fuels will be needed for many decades to come, and warning of price shocks and energy shortages if the world shifts too quickly.

Americas oil news director Jeff Mower, senior upstream editor Starr Spencer, and senior midstream editor Jordan Blum sat down to recap these themes from WPC and reflect on the slow shift toward in-person events again.

This Commodities Focus podcast was produced by Jennifer Pedrick in Houston.

Related coverage:

Oil companies must step up in energy transition or fail financially: US deputy energy secretary

Need for investment is critical for oil, gas industry: World Petroleum Congress panelists

Cleaner refining in the future means biofuels and more efficient conventional fuels

Natural gas industry playing offense, defense in energy transition game

FEATURE: Energy sector pushes back on transition pace, warns of price shocks and shortages at WPC conference