The oil and gas (O&G) industry earned record profits in 2022, providing ample cash flow to fund their strategies in 2023. And while O&G companies recognize geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty in the year ahead, they’ve also been given a clear mandate to secure supply in the short term while transitioning to cleaner energy in the long term. Our 2023 outlook explores five trends that can help shape the path forward for O&G companies.
While the oil and gas industry isn’t new to supply disruptions and price volatility, the situation today is unique. A confluence of economic, geopolitical, trade, policy, and financial factors have exacerbated the issue of underinvestment and triggered a readjustment in the broader energy market. As a result, all three components of a balanced energy equation—energy security, supply diversification, and low-carbon transition—are now facing a “trilemma” of concerns.
Although the immediate impact of this imbalance is high energy prices and record cash flows for O&G companies, how and where the industry will invest in the future remains uncertain.
The O&G industry will likely enter 2023 with its healthiest balance sheet yet and with continued capital discipline. The positivity of this situation is reflected in our survey, in which 93% of O&G executives state they’re positive about the industry in the coming year. This momentum could help companies overcome the energy underinvestment of recent years and help enable an accelerated energy transition. Explore the five trends below that will likely influence the direction of the industry over the next 12 months.