The Coming Energy Shakeout: Data Centers, LNG, ESG, and What Breaks in 2026 - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica discusses the annual energy predictions review by Laurent Segalen, Michael Barnard, and Gerard Reid, focusing on global energy trends and decarbonization milestones. They revisit their six predictions made for 2025, which included expectations about U.S. oil production decline, oil prices hitting $40-$50 per barrel, geopolitical impacts fostering innovation, a downturn for hydrogen in transportation, record installations of solar and EVs, and the end of ESG-labeled financial products. The panelists reflect on the accuracy of these forecasts, noting that oil prices and demand remained higher than expected due to China's strategic reserve buildup, which delayed the anticipated U.S. production decline and kept prices elevated. Michael Barnard admits he was off by several months on his prediction about U.S. oil production and prices, while Gerard Reid acknowledges his oil price forecast was incorrect but expects prices to trend downward toward $40 in 2026. The discussion highlights the complexity of energy geopolitics in 202