Columnists | Energy Connects

Vandana Hari

Iran strikes: what’s the outlook for the oil market?

As the widening Middle East conflict enter a fifth day, we catch up with Vandana Hari, Founder and CEO of Vanda Insights, in the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast. In her discussions with host Chiranjib Sengupta, Vandana explores the impact of the ongoing hostilities on global energy markets, from tanker disruptions to rising shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, Brent crude has hovered around $80 a barrel, and Vandana explains why fears of oil prices surging into triple digits may be overstated. She outlines likely US mitigation steps, supply risks for Asian markets and why diplomacy remains the key off-ramp to restoring stability.

Podcast

Vandana Hari

Iran war and oil prices: why markets remain restrained

As tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, in our latest Energy Connects Discussions Vandana Hari, Founder and CEO of Vanda Insights, highlights how energy markets are handling the risk of supply disruption, from LNG curtailments in Qatar to shipping delays affecting Asian buyers. Despite the uncertainty, oil prices have so far avoided a dramatic spike, and Vandana explains why Brent has remained relatively contained. She also explores the likelihood of US intervention to stabilise market

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Discussions

Vandana Hari

Iran strikes: off-ramp holds the key to preserving the global energy system

The war unfolding in the Middle East for a fourth day has spiralled far beyond a US-Israel-Iran confrontation. Gulf states are now directly exposed. The global economy is entangled. And the longer oil flows from the Middle East remain under threat, the greater the risk that crude surges into triple digits, inflation resurges and recession fears harden, writes Vandana Hari in her latest column.

Thought Leadership

Gaurav Sharma

Iran strikes: what the escalation means for global energy markets

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, recorded amid the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf, host Chiranjib Sengupta speaks with Gaurav Sharma, Energy Connects columnist and independent energy analyst, about the potential impact for global energy markets. They explore Iran’s role in global oil supply, the risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the psychological impact on shipping and prices. The discussion also considers OPEC+’s output boost, spare capacity, and the implications for LNG flows from Qatar. With geopolitical tensions rising, the episode assesses how the coming days could shape oil prices, market stability and global energy flows.

Podcast

Robin Mills

All eyes on Hormuz as Iran strikes put energy markets in uncharted waters

The Ayatollah is dead, but the danger to Gulf energy supplies has intensified. While the US and Israel pummel Iran, Iranian drones and missiles hit not just Israel, but its Gulf neighbours. So far, energy facilities are not in the cross-hairs – but how long can that last? Robin M. Mills analyses in his latest column for Energy Connects.

Thought Leadership

Lorenzo Totaro

Navigating 2026: energy majors focus on discipline and bottom lines

Despite record results, the industry’s stance for 2026 is more considered than expected, with discipline being the real growth strategy amid surging demand, shifting trade regimes and the uneasy balance between climate ambitions and the “energy addition” pragmatism.

Thought Leadership

Gaurav Sharma

US shale production may prove more resilient in 2026 than many imagine

Every time oil prices see a period of extended volatility and Brent threatens to slide below $60 per barrel, an all-too-familiar debate ensues about the impact of such market conditions on US shale production.

Thought Leadership

Robin Mills

The year in commodities: shiny metals, steady crude and a tale of two gas markets

Commodities had a good year in 2025. Despite the steady slide in oil, the broad asset class that includes everything from gold to grain and crude to copper overcame tariffs and wars to end more than 15 per cent up in the Bloomberg Commodity Index. One month in, and this year has already delivered plenty of news flow: metals should stay shiny, crude sludgy, while natural gas diverges, writes Robin Mills in his monthly column.

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Thought Leadership

Vandana Hari

India’s energy outlook: balancing ambition, affordability and security

In an exclusive studio interview with Energy Connects at India Energy Week 2026, Vandana Hari, Founder & CEO of Vanda Insights, analysed the outlook for India’s energy sector and key takeaways from India Energy Week. Reflecting on Hon. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opening remarks at the event, she highlighted India’s ambition to attract global investments while underscoring the practical challenges of turning policy into action. Vandana discussed the role of gas and LNG in reshaping Ind

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Discussions

Vandana Hari

Oil markets into early 2026: geopolitics back in the driving seat

The first three weeks of 2026 have delivered a sharp reminder that geopolitics, not balances alone, will set the tone for oil markets this year. The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump’s explicit threat of military action against Iran, and Washington’s revived push to acquire Greenland - now spilling into trade tensions with Europe - have together reinforced a core reality for traders and policymakers alike: supply uncertainty is back front-and-centre, even as prices appear deceptively calm.

Thought Leadership