Group 1: Historical Context and Oil Market Dynamics - The global oil industry was historically dominated by a small group of Western firms known as the 'Seven Sisters' until the 1973 oil embargo, which marked a significant shift in the balance of power between oil-producing and consuming nations [1] - The 1973 oil crisis saw oil prices surge from approximately US$3 per barrel to nearly US$11 per barrel, contributing to a global economic slowdown, particularly in Western countries [1] - The U.S. has historically employed a 'divide and rule' strategy in the Middle East to manage the power of oil-producing nations, which culminated in the 2014-2016 Oil Price War with OPEC [3] Group 2: U.S. Shale Revolution and Global Energy Dynamics - The U.S. shale oil and gas sectors transformed the country from a major importer to a leading exporter, reversing the energy power dynamics established post-1973 [2] - Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are now seeking U.S. expertise to develop their own shale resources, with significant investments in projects like Saudi Arabia's Jafurah shale gas development [4][5] - Saudi Arabia aims to increase its gas output by 80% by 2030, with the Jafurah Gas Plant expected to reach a sustainable production rate of 2.0 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030 [4] Group 3: UAE's Shale Gas Development - The UAE is focusing on developing its shale gas reserves to meet local energy demands and future export needs, collaborating with U.S. firms like EOG Resources [5][6] - The Ruwais Diyab Unconventional Gas Concession aims to produce 1 billion standard cubic feet per day before 2030, significantly enhancing ADNOC's production capabilities [6] Group 4: Global LNG Market and Future Demand - The importance of LNG in global energy markets has surged, especially following the geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to increased demand for alternative gas supplies [7] - Forecasts indicate that data center-related demand could contribute an additional 150-200 billion cubic meters of gas annually by 2040, representing a 3.6-4.9% increase in global gas demand [7]