S&P Global - Experts & Thought Leaders

The 41st annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) by S&P Global – Asia’s pioneering energy conference - will take place from September 8 to 11, 2025, at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore. A cornerstone of the energy industry for the past 40 years, this premier gathering of close to 1,500 industry pioneers, experts and executives across 65 countries aims to explore the evolving landscape of the oil and gas sector, discussing critical issues such as energy transition, technological innovation, and sustainability strategies to prepare for a resilient future. Impact of technological innovations S&P Global’s team of energy specialists will provide insights across the global energy landscape Ms. Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth for Singapore, will provide the opening address for APPEC 2025. Alongside more than 200 esteemed speakers, S&P Global’s team of energy specialists will provide insights across the global energy landscape — from geopolitical influences to market trends and pricing outlooks —and will address pressing topics such as the changing trade dynamics, financing future energy solutions and the impact of technological innovations and disruptions on the energy sector. Opportunities for growth and sustainability "Amid an evolving energy landscape and the onset of new market realities, APPEC by S&P Global continues to provide a vital platform for industry stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions. This conference will facilitate the exchange of ideas on navigating the complexities of balancing energy security while maximising opportunities for growth and sustainability," said Dave Ernsberger, Co-President of S&P Global Commodity Insights. He adds, "It will give participants a valuable forum to gain insights and learn how they can maximise opportunities for their business and stakeholders, while supporting the wider energy transition for the industry." Key themes across a 3-day programme APPEC 2025 will explore these key themes across a 3-day programme: Day 1: Monday, September 8 - Strategic Conference Oil market fundamentals: Global dynamics Geopolitical influences: Navigating tariffs, sanctions and economic shifts Realigning business models for the energy transition Exploring opportunities with a focus on the Americas, China, India, and Southeast Asia Day 2: Tuesday, September 9 - Concurrent Sessions Strategic Conference Global oil demand and trading landscape  Downstream developments & drivers  Spotlight on Africa’s energy landscape and refining resurgence  Review of the state of upstream and strategies for the future  Chemicals & Carbon Markets Conferences Structural issues in the petrochemical industry and the impact of changing trade dynamics Exploring Asia’s national carbon mechanisms and regional cooperation  Financing Asia’s low-carbon transition: Navigating policy shifts, supply chains and energy evolution Exploring global systems in carbon markets: Article 6 and CORSIA Day 3: Wednesday, Sep 10 - Concurrent Sessions Strategic Conference Pathways for decarbonisation and renewable energy  Spotlight on the role of critical minerals  Growth areas for low-carbon fuels  AI and energy optimisation  Financing the future of energy  Biofuels, Shipping & Bunker Conferences Asia Pacific’s biofuel market potential and regional dynamics  Sustainable feedstocks, ethanol, biodiesels in Asia: Current status and future prospects  Navigating the SAF landscape: creating a traceable and sustainable value chain  Investment and financing: fuelling the biofuels revolution  Navigating structural shifts in global shipping  Pathways to net zero for shipping  Transition to multi-fuel future  Shaping the future maritime energy mix  S&P global speakers & experts (partial list) Dave Ernsberger, Co-President, S&P Global Commodity Insights  Kurt Barrow, Head of Oil, Fuel and Chemicals Research, S&P Global Commodity Insights Jim Burkhard, Global Head of Crude Oil Market Research, S&P Global Commodity Insights Nick Sharma, Executive Director, Upstream Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights  Vera Blei, Head of Market Reporting and Trading Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights Rahul Kapoor, Global Head of Shipping Analytics & Research, S&P Global Commodity Insights Roman Kramarchuk, Head of Energy Transition Narratives, Policy Analysis, S&P Global Commodity Insights Paul Gruenwald, Global Chief Economist, S&P Global Ratings  For the complete list of speakers and the latest agenda, visit APPEC 2025 Speakers. Registration information APPEC will be held at Raffles City Convention Centre, Level 4, Singapore, from September 8 to 11, 2025. For further information and to register, visit APPEC Registration. Media accreditation and passes Members of the media interested in covering APPEC 2025 are required to apply for accreditation.

The Platts global bunker fuel cost calculator shows how Platts price assessments for methanol, ammonia, LNG, bioblends and conventional oil-based fuels can be used to calculate the cost of marine fuels around the world, taking into account the EU Emissions Trading System and adjusted for energy density to put them on an equal footing. Methanol blend Shipping firms are struggling to acquire sustainable methanol due to its scarcity, and some industry participants suggest blending the green fuel with existing gray methanol could alleviate the shortage for now. The Platts sustainable-gray methanol price slider uses the month average prices of delivered sustainable methanol bunker and FOB gray methanol in the US Gulf plus logistics cost to show a representation of the blended price of marine methanol. Biofuel blend The Platts UCOME-VLSFO price slider uses the month average prices of FOB Straits used cooking oil Bioblends are emerging as the top choice as an alternative marine fuel for conventional ships as regulators introduce new rules to lower greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. The Platts UCOME-VLSFO price slider uses the month average prices of FOB Straits used cooking oil methyl ester plus logistics cost and delivered 0.5%S marine fuel oil to show a representation of the blended price of biobunker fuels. LNG blend LNG, with its accessibility and competitive pricing, has long been the most used alternative marine energy for shipowners willing to invest in alternative propulsion technology. A growing number of companies operating LNG-capable ships are introducing bio-LNG into their bunker mix for deep decarbonisation, and market participants suggest the more expensive green fuel could be blended with fossil LNG -- possibly through mass balance -- for lower fuel expenses.  The Platts bio-gray LNG bunker price slider uses monthly average delivered bunker prices of bio- and fossil LNG in Rotterdam to show a representation of the blended price of marine LNG.

India has unveiled a new set of policies for its oil and gas sector, under which it aims to offer a cushion to upstream investors from fiscal policy changes as well as make its revenue-sharing model more attractive to attract investors into the segment. The petroleum ministry recently invited feedback on the proposed Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules for 2025, after which New Delhi can move forward to implement those rules as official policy, either with or without amendments. The latest proposed reforms will replace the Petroleum Concession Rules of 1949 and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules of 1959. Adverse impacts of future legal The draft rules aim to modernise India's upstream oil and gas framework with several major reforms "India is in the midst of one of the most ambitious plans to strengthen and expand its hydrocarbons infrastructure, boosting domestic production, forging global partnerships, and ensuring a sustainable and resilient future," Petroleum Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri said on July 13. The draft rules aim to modernise India's upstream oil and gas framework with several major reforms. Key among them is the introduction of an investor-friendly stabilisation clause, designed to protect lessees from adverse impacts of future legal or fiscal changes, such as increases in taxes, royalties or other levies, by allowing compensation or deductions. Underutilised capacity in pipelines To reduce infrastructure duplication and encourage smaller players, the draft mandates that lessees can declare underutilised capacity in pipelines and other facilities, and provide third-party access on fair terms, subject to government oversight. "The declaration of underutilised infrastructure sharing is a positive step. This could help some of the new field developments by smaller private players, without spending more in midstream infrastructure, and having a lower emissions footprint," said Kallol Saha, Research and Analysis Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights, adding that some of the changes to data ownership rules will also aid in exploration activity and improve the success rate. Broader energy landscape The draft rules also permit operators to undertake integrated renewable and low-carbon projects The draft rules also permit operators to undertake integrated renewable and low-carbon projects -- including solar, wind, hydrogen, and geothermal energy -- within the oilfield blocks, provided they meet safety standards and do not interfere with oil and gas production. "Strengthening environmental stewardship, the draft introduces detailed requirements for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, establishes a regulatory framework for carbon capture and storage, and mandates site restoration funds with post-closure monitoring for a minimum of five years," the draft said. Operational data and physical samples In terms of data governance, all operational data and physical samples generated during exploration and production will belong to the government. The draft adds, "Lessees can use this data internally, but any export or external use requires government approval, with confidentiality protections lasting up to seven years." The draft rules also have also proposed the creation of a dedicated adjudicating authority, which would be empowered to enforce compliance, resolve disputes, and impose penalties. Additional provisions of the draft rules include clearer processes for lease mergers, extensions, and unitisation of reservoirs spanning multiple blocks, aimed at improving operational flexibility. Areas for oil and gas exploration Under OALP, upstream companies can now carve out areas for oil and gas exploration The latest proposed reforms come immediately after the amendment of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 and ahead of the Open Acreage Licencing Policy, or OALP X, which would be India's largest-ever exploration and production bidding round. The tenth round offers 25 blocks with an area of 191,986 square kilometres and spans 13 sedimentary basins. Of the 25 blocks, six blocks are in shallow water, six blocks are on land, one is in deep water and the remainder are in ultra-deep-water areas. The ninth round, announced in early 2024, had featured 28 blocks covering around 136,000 sq km, spanning eight sedimentary basins. Under OALP, upstream companies can now carve out areas for oil and gas exploration. Explorers can submit an expression of interest for any area throughout the year, and the designated areas are then subsequently auctioned. Revenue sharing model The petroleum ministry has also proposed a revised model for revenue sharing contract that would align with the new policies, particularly regarding unitisation, merged lease areas, and infrastructure sharing obligations. The revised petroleum lease format clarifies processes on lease relinquishment, reservoir extension and cancellation triggers, in an effort to provide greater operational certainty. "The government's efforts aim to create a transparent, efficient, and sustainable exploration and production environment, aligned with India's broader energy transition goals," Puri said. Natural depletion of mature fields According to Commodity Insights analysts, India's upstream output has been declining at an average annual rate of 1.1% over the past decade due to the natural depletion of mature fields operated by state-run producers, delays in monetising existing discoveries and a reduced number of new discoveries. Overseas interest in exploration bidding rounds has largely remained elusive. Earlier this year, BP signed a contract for a new exploration licence under the consortium consisting of ONGC, holding a 40% stake, Reliance with a 30% stake and BP with the remaining 30% stake for block GS-OSHP-2022/2 in the Saurashtra Basin, as part of OALP IX.