The Energy Forum

From 'Baker Briefing': Why the Middle East Oil Shock Is Raising Gas Prices

As conflict and instability in the Middle East continue to shape global energy markets, Americans are beginning to feel the effects far beyond the gas pump. Host David M. Satterfield speaks with energy experts Kenneth B. Medlock III and Mark Finley about why oil prices react so sharply to geopolitical shocks. They discuss how those shifts ripple through airline fares, travel costs, inflation, and household budgets, and what could transpire in the months ahead as conflict in the Middle East continues.
This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2026.
Featured:
Mark Finley
Kenneth B. Medlock III
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From 'Baker Briefing': Inside Guyana’s Energy Strategy with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Guyana sits at the center of one of the fastest energy expansions in the world — at a moment when geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and market volatility are reshaping global energy systems in real time. But rapid growth brings difficult questions: What are the risks, tradeoffs, and strategies behind turning a historic resource boom into lasting national development?
During a visit to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 4, 2026, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared his perspective on the country’s rise as a global energy player. Since oil production began in 2019, Guyana has rapidly emerged as a major force in global energy markets — making its policy choices increasingly relevant far beyond its borders.
This episode is the second part of this conversation. Building on his earlier remarks, Ali sits down with Francisco J. Monaldi for a candid armchair discussion on what comes next. Together, they explore the practical realities of execution — from managing hydrocarbon expansion and attracting investment to building the infrastructure needed to sustain long-term growth.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 4, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
 
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
 
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

From 'Baker Briefing': President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali Explains the Nation’s Energy Boom

Guyana, on the northern coast of South America, has become one of the fastest-growing energy producers in the world. Since oil production began in 2019, the country has quickly emerged as a major force in global energy markets, at a time when geopolitical tensions and market volatility are reshaping the global energy landscape.
During a visit to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 4, 2026, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared his perspective on Guyana’s rise as a global energy player. Speaking before a live audience, Ali outlined his administration’s strategy for balancing rapid energy development with economic diversification while navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment and rising expectations around sustainability.
This is the first of two episodes featuring remarks from that event. In this episode, Ali delivers prepared remarks outlining his broader vision for Guyana’s future — from energy and infrastructure to human capital and environmental stewardship. The second episode features an armchair discussion with Baker Institute Fellow Francisco J. Monaldi on the practical challenges of implementing that vision.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience on May 4, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
 
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
 
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

26: Live from CERAWeek: Latin America’s Growing Role in Global Oil Markets

Recorded live at CERAWeek in Houston, this episode of The Energy Forum features Kenneth B. Medlock III in conversation with Francisco J. Monaldi on the forces reshaping oil markets across Latin America. They examine Venezuela’s changing outlook after Maduro’s capture, the investment prospects ahead, and how countries like Brazil, Guyana, Argentina, and Bolivia are redefining the region’s role in global energy.
 
This episode was recorded on March 25, 2026 on-site at CERAWeek.

25: Strait of Hormuz Disruption: What It Means for Oil Prices and Global Supply

Tensions in the Middle East are reshaping global energy markets, and the impacts are already being felt.
In this episode of The Energy Forum, Abhi Rajendran, Skip York, and Kristian Coates Ulrichsen break down the latest developments around the Strait of Hormuz and what they mean for oil supply, global trade, and energy security. As supply chains tighten and demand rises heading into summer, this episode explains why global energy markets may face continued pressure and what to watch for next.This episode was recorded on April 1, 2026. 
 

From 'Baker Briefing': Inside the Iran War’s Impact on Global Energy Markets

The conflict in Iran is sending shock waves through global energy markets, tightening supplies, driving up prices, and placing energy security at the center of strategic and economic considerations.
On this episode of “Baker Briefing,” Ambassador David M. Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Kenneth B. Medlock III, director of the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies, examine developments following U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on Feb. 28.
They discuss potential impacts on energy flows, country responses, and what the evolving dynamics could mean for the global economy in the weeks and months ahead.
This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on March 27, 2026. Learn about future live recordings of the “Baker Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.
 
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
 
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

24: Global Oil Markets 2026: Iran Conflict, Venezuela Supply, and Rising Prices

In this episode of The Energy Forum, Abhi Rajendran and Skip York unpack the latest developments discussed at the Center for Energy Studies’ Oil Market Roundtable. The conversation examines how tensions involving Iran, evolving policy in Venezuela, and disruptions across global energy trade are influencing oil prices and market expectations.
They also explore the emerging divide between sanctioned and unsanctioned oil barrels, the ripple effects on diesel and LNG markets, and whether U.S. shale producers will respond to higher prices. With geopolitical risk rising and supply uncertainty growing, the discussion highlights why some analysts now see $70 as the new floor for oil prices.
This episode was recorded on March 5, 2026.

From 'Baker Briefing': What the U.S. Strikes on Iran Mean for Global Energy Markets

The United States has launched strikes on Iran — and global energy markets are already reacting. How far could this escalation reach, from the Strait of Hormuz to gasoline prices and electricity bills here at home?
Ambassador David Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is joined by Ken Medlock, director of the Center for Energy Studies, to unpack the energy implications of rising tensions in the Middle East.
They explore how potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could affect oil and liquefied natural gas flows, the difference between kinetic threats and commercial risk, and how insurers and transport markets respond in moments of geopolitical uncertainty. The conversation also examines the short- and long-term impacts on global energy trade — including consequences for Europe, China, South Asia, and Russia — before turning to what American consumers may feel most directly: price changes at the pump and shifts in electricity costs tied to natural gas.
This conversation was recorded on March 3, 2026.
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Featured:
Ken Medlock, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kenneth-b-medlock-iii 
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

23: Saudi Arabia Scales Back Vision 2030 Megaprojects, Shifts Focus to AI and Energy

Nearly a decade into Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s diversification drive is entering a more constrained phase: some initiatives are moving ahead, while others are being resized, delayed, or quietly shelved.
In this episode of ”The Energy Forum,“ host Jim Krane (Diana Tamari Sabbagh Fellow in Middle East Energy Studies) speaks with Karen Elliott House (journalist, author, and former managing editor at The Wall Street Journal) about what is changing inside the Kingdom, from the Public Investment Fund’s shifting priorities to the rise in women’s workforce participation, the AI push, regional security risks, and evolving relations with Iran. What does this shift mean for global energy markets and geopolitics? Subscribe and listen to “The Energy Forum” on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. This episode was recorded on Feb. 18, 2026.

22: Training Energy Leaders: Inside the CES Graduate Fellowship

In this episode of The Energy Forum, host Michael Maher sits down with former CES Graduate Student Luke Min, who now works at ExxonMobil and current doctoral fellow Stan Kannegieter to discuss what it’s like pursuing a PhD through Rice University’s Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies (CES).
They explain how the program blends rigorous academic training with real-world application, and how working alongside policy researchers, industry experts, and global stakeholders builds not only technical expertise but also communication and credibility. The conversation explores career pathways beyond academia, how energy economists translate complex models into decisions companies trust, and why global perspective matters in modern energy systems.
Since 2006, CES has supported 47 PhD students and 8 postdoctoral fellows, and this episode offers a firsthand look at how that training turns research into impact across industry, government, and policy.