Throughout 2025, Upstream provided comprehensive global coverage of the oil and gas industry, delivering exclusive news and analysis during a year of significant geopolitical, economic, and technical change.

Regional Coverage and Key Developments

In North America, coverage focused on the energy policy implications of the new US administration and tracked major projects like BP's second 20k deep-water development in the Gulf of Mexico. Reporting also covered producer responses to falling oil prices in shale regions and Canada's plans to expand its LNG export capabilities, including developments for Equinor's Bay du Nord project.

In the UK North Sea, reporting detailed the pivotal political and investment climate, examining impacts on supply chains and the future of key areas like Aberdeen.

Africa and South America remained focal points for offshore activity. Highlights included TotalEnergies' Venus project offshore Namibia, Azule's FPSO supplier choice in Angola, and an interview with Erik Prince on plans to address security and boost African oil production. In South America, coverage included the competitive Petrobras tender for Sergipe-Alagoas FPSOs and ExxonMobil's plans for a supersized FPSO offshore Guyana.

In the Middle East, reporting covered massive investment waves aimed at increasing output, including exclusive insight into a multi-billion dollar project at the world's largest gas field. Asia's role as a key gas market was highlighted through reports on Eni's major Indonesian tender and Mubadala's interest in a Malaysian offshore gas project.

Sector-Wide Trends and Analysis

Upstream charted strategic shifts, including oil producers' renewed focus on exploration to replenish reserves, featuring exclusive interviews with a BP senior executive. The response to expectations of lower oil prices was monitored, including rising redundancies and cuts by major companies. Major deals and consolidations, such as Chevron's arbitration with ExxonMobil over Hess and Saipem's planned merger with Subsea7, were followed closely. The emergence and real-world application of artificial intelligence in the upstream sector was also covered, including an interview with BP's technology partner, Palantir.

Enhancements for 2026

Upstream is strengthening its news coverage with expanded staff, including new correspondents in Asia and North America. The event portfolio will grow with the return of the Global Development & Decarbonisation Week and the addition of a new London-based Upstream Developers Forum. Digital improvements include a modernized website design to highlight standout articles, more in-depth "Upstream In Focus" features, and a newly designed newsletter system for better readability and curation of important news.