In this report, leading data and analytics company GlobalData identifies the top 20 themes that will impact the oil and gas industry in 2025. For each theme, the company offers a series of predictions, identifies winners, and points you to further reading.
GlobalData’s research shows that companies that invest in the right themes become success stories; those who miss the big themes ultimately fail. Given that so many themes are disruptive, it is very easy to be blindsided by industry outsiders invading your sector.
So, to help its clients gain a competitive advantage, GlobalData has developed its Strategic Intelligence Solution, a single, integrated global research platform that provides an easy-to-use framework for tracking all strategic issues – or themes – impacting all companies across all industries.
US tariffs and energy security are expected to remain the focal point of oil and gas trade in 2025. The US government initially imposed hefty import tariffs on most countries in line with its respective trade deficits, which were later normalised at 10% for a period of 90 days. Moreover, due to the US’ vast imbalance with China, it considerably raised its tariffs on the latter, leading to renewed trade disputes between the two. Such measures might exert downward pressure on the US and global economy in the near term, potentially affecting the energy demand. As a result, the global economic forecast is clouded by the frequent changes in the US tariffs and the prospect of retaliatory rate increases from affected trading partners, especially China. Elsewhere, the industry has largely recovered from the geopolitical developments since 2022 that had vastly impacted global supply chains. While the global oil demand is anticipated to grow in 2025, fuelled by consistent economic expansion in Asia, the stability of supply hinges on geopolitical risks and the production strategies of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) nations. A resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, along with incremental increases in OPEC+ output post-April 2025, could ensure adequate market supply, even in the face of stringent US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. Thus, the macroeconomic themes of tariffs, geopolitics, and supply chain are likely to be influential in the global energy dynamics in 2025. The environmental, social, and governance theme is also highlighted in the report as it is likely to be integral to decision-making in 2025, particularly on the environment and social dynamics. Newer industry themes that support the energy transition towards zero-emission technologies such as renewables, low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and electric vehicles are prominently highlighted in this report. These are evaluated for their potential impact on oil and gas operations in 2025 and beyond. The report also evaluates traditional oil and gas themes, namely liquefied natural gas, shale, and integrated refineries that continue to enable companies to remain competitive in the energy market.
The report also features disruptive tech themes such as AI, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, and robotics. Further assessment of the top 20 themes in the oil and gas industry can be found in GlobalData’s new report, Top 20 Oil & Gas Themes – 2025.
