How the Biggest Investors Are Playing the "New World Order" in Oil and Gas
Posted on December 10, 2012 at 05:00 AM EST
Thanks to the fracking boom of the last few years North America is now on a path toward energy self-sufficiency. In fact, the International Energy Agency (IEA) now believes that, thanks to astonishing growth in oil and natural gas output, the U.S. could even become a net exporter of natural gas by 2020, and even net-energy self-sufficient by 2035. According to IEA estimates, the U.S. is already the world's No. 2 natural gas producer. The IEA has also indicated that increasing production from Canadian oil sands means North America could become a net oil exporter. And by 2035, it's forecast that nearly 90% of Middle Eastern oil exports will find a home in Asia. These tectonic energy shifts have not gone unnoticed by OPEC and large state-owned energy companies. Major Asian and Middle Eastern interests have already made major acquisitions in Canada and the U.S., with an eye towards many more. Every day it seems the energy scene is changing at a lightning pace, creating a new world order in energy. So to gain further insight into this rapidly changing climate, I recently sat down with energy consultant Peter Barker-Homek, a true energy insider. Peter is the founder of Eta Draco, an advisory firm focused on building operations and capital structures to provide for enduring growth and to anticipate cyclical downturns for small- to medium-sized enterprises. Mr. Barker-Homek knows more than a thing or two about the global energy sector. As the previous CEO at TAQA, the Abu Dhabi national energy company, and a seasoned energy executive in a Fortune 20 company, Peter has completed $40 billion in energy-related transactions. He has more than 20 years' experience in major markets worldwide, and even served in the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Marine Corps as an Officer/Pilot. He has appeared on CNN, BNN, CNBC, Sky News, Bloomberg TV, BBC Radio, Al Jazeera, and CrossFire, and is regularly cited in industry journals and periodicals. I think you'll enjoy what Peter had to say during our recent Q&A. If I did my job right, some of it may even shock you. To continue reading, please click here...