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I have said in recent posts that the world economy is hitting resource limits of many kinds. These limits include oil, coal, and other sources of energy, including uranium, used as a fuel for nuclear power generation. Because of these limits, the world economy is being forced to shrink back. In my opinion, the direction it is headed in is toward smaller, mostly less-advanced, more independent, economies. This change is also likely to lead to various types of financial collapse for many of today’s Advanced Economies. Per-capita…
The Indian steel sector—the world’s second-largest—faces a critical challenge in 2025 as the European Union (EU) tightens its environmental standards, intensifying its focus on carbon neutrality. With Europe being key customer for Indian steel, accounting for 25% of exports, India must urgently comply with stricter carbon regulations to avoid steep financial penalties that could undermine its global position in the steel market. Rystad Energy’s research suggests that by 2034, India and Russia could face some of the highest…
After more than a decade of relentless drilling in the top U.S. oil-producing basin, the Permian, some areas have hit geological limits while others, yet to be drilled, are not expected to be as prolific as the prime Tier 1 acreage that producers have started to exhaust. Top executives at major shale firms have already expressed opinions that Permian oil production could hit its peak as early as the end of this decade. To be sure, crude oil output in the top basin continues to rise, but growth has slowed since 2022—not only because producers…
Major long-term capital investments require predictable profitability and stable capital costs. For the eight large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects proposed on the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, both of these factors appear increasingly uncertain. Capital Cost Uncertainty and Workforce Challenges One of the biggest risks for these projects is unpredictable capital costs. The Biden administration and President Donald Trump have imposed tariffs on steel and critical energy infrastructure components, but future tariff rates remain uncertain.…
As the world becomes more globalised, the idea of power-sharing is growing more popular. Several countries around the globe already have interconnected energy infrastructure, benefitting from one another’s natural resources to boost their power. Meanwhile, many countries are pursuing a green transition by investing heavily in the development of their renewable energy capacity. However, some regions of the world have more abundant renewable resources than others, suggesting the need for new power-sharing networks to be developed. …
