Middle East Energy Leaders Warn of Underinvestment in Oil, Bet on Digital Growth

Core Insights - The event emphasized the concept of "energy addition" rather than "energy transition," highlighting the need for increased energy production to meet future demands [1][3] - There is a strong long-term demand forecast for all forms of energy, with significant growth expected in renewables, LNG, and oil [3][8] - Investment in energy infrastructure is critical, with a projected need for $18.2 trillion in oil-related investments from 2025 to 2050 [8][11] Energy Demand and Supply - Electricity demand is expected to quadruple due to the growth of data centers, urbanization, and the addition of 2 billion air conditioners by 2040 [2][3] - Oil demand is projected to remain above 100 million barrels per day beyond 2040, with a forecast of 123 million barrels per day by 2050 [3][8] - The global airline fleet is expected to double by 2040, contributing to increased energy demand [2] Investment Landscape - There is a consensus among industry leaders that capital investment has been insufficient, particularly in the oil sector, leading to potential supply challenges [9][11] - The need for deregulation to respond to price signals and ensure long-term demand satisfaction was emphasized [10] - Investment in renewables and lower carbon technologies accounted for nearly two-thirds of the $3 trillion invested last year, indicating a shift in capital allocation [12] Natural Gas Market - Natural gas is being reframed as a "destination fuel" rather than a transitional one, with expectations of rising demand despite new supply coming online [13][14] - The global gas market is experiencing a shift, with Europe and Asia competing and complementing each other in LNG contracts [17] Data Centers and Renewable Energy - The MENA region is being positioned as a prime location for sustainable data centers, leveraging low-cost renewable energy and favorable policies [23][24] - A report highlighted the potential for exporting data center capacity from the Gulf region, focusing on areas with existing renewable energy infrastructure [25][26]