So, with Donald John Trump now well and truly back in the saddle, we are likely to see substantial changes in US power production, consumption and exports over the next few years, as the president aims to fulfil his promise to ‘drill, baby, drill’.

His first term set the US on the path to becoming the world’s largest oil and gas producer, accounting for almost 15% of global output. Now, with regulations set to be cut, are we about to witness the US turning into a true energy titan?

Oil, with its abundance and multifaceted uses, has become the primary energy source for transportation and industry. Meanwhile, natural gas is a critical component of heating and power networks across vast swathes of the world.

However, if they are to maintain their place in the heart of the energy mix, both will need to develop and adopt effective decarbonisation techniques for their upstream operations.

Also, as energy security and the optimisation of hydrocarbons have become global priorities, the role of refineries – a key element in turning an extracted substance into something valuable – has grown in importance. We examine what changes are coming.

With the sector undergoing rapid technological advancements, it will need to address critical challenges in terms of sustainability, operational efficiency and resource optimisation, as the global demand for hydrocarbons shows no signs of abating.

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