Ben Cahill

Senior Fellow, Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Ben Cahill

Ben Cahill is a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He covers oil markets, geopolitics, and macro trends affecting the oil and gas industry. He also leads a research initiative on methane emissions and global gas and analyzes how national oil companies are responding to the energy transition. Ben was previously a director in Energy Intelligence's Research & Advisory group and led its country risk practice, advising oil and gas companies on politics, economics, and policy risks. He also wrote on corporate strategy and covered Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and the Southeast Asian national oil companies. Ben formerly worked at PFC Energy (now part of IHS Markit) in Washington, D.C., and Kuala Lumpur, focusing on country risk and macro trends in the oil and gas industry. He has an MA in international affairs and economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in international relations and English from Boston University.

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Europe Wants Cleaner Gas. Can the United States Provide It?

European buyers intend to seek “cleaner” or less emissions-intensive gas in the years to come. New methane regulations in the United States should help address these concerns and bolster the case for U.S. LNG.

Commentary by Ben Cahill — June 5, 2023

OPEC Has a Russia Problem

Russia’s incentives to maximize output clash with its promises to cut production, and poor Russian compliance is complicating OPEC+ market management. 

Commentary by Ben Cahill — June 2, 2023

Energy 360°

Oil and Gas Methane Regulations

This week Ben Cahill talks with Joseph Majkut about his recent work on efforts to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. 

Podcast Episode by Ben Cahill , Joseph Majkut , and Lisa Hyland — April 4, 2023

CSIS Energy 360

OPEC+ Throws a Curveball

OPEC+ made a surprise production cut, suggesting concerns about a rapid price sell-off and shift in market sentiment last month. The group is defending a higher price floor and brushing off criticism that higher oil prices will fuel inflation.

Commentary by Ben Cahill — April 3, 2023

What’s Next for Oil and Gas Methane Regulations

Cutting methane emissions from oil and gas production can help slow the pace of global warming. This brief summarizes emerging U.S. regulations on methane emissions, outlines the pathway for EU methane legislation, and analyzes potential alignment.

Brief by Ben Cahill — March 22, 2023

Energy 360°

Peaks and the Global Energy Systems

This week, Jamie Webster joins Ben Cahill to discuss energy transitions, what peak demand really means, and the resulting shifts in the global energy system. 

Podcast Episode by Ben Cahill and Lisa Hyland — March 21, 2023

CSIS Energy 360

China Holds the Key to Global Energy Demand

Global energy prices hinge on China’s economic recovery, but the “new normal” for oil and gas demand is uncertain. A rebound in mobility will increase gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel demand, but there are lingering concerns about the property sector and consumer sentiment.

Commentary by Ben Cahill , Ilaria Mazzocco , and Chen Huang — February 8, 2023

Energy 360°

Update on the Russian Oil Sector

This week, Dr. Tatiana Mitrova (Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University) and Ben Cahill (Energy Security and Climate Change Program at CSIS) provide an outlook for the Russian oil sector, including the EU and G7 price cap on Russian oil and its impacts on the Russian economy.

Further Reading:

Can Russia’s War Chest Withstand the New Oil Cap?

Progress Report on EU Embargo and Russian Oil Price Cap

Podcast Episode by Lisa Hyland and Ben Cahill — January 23, 2023

CSIS Energy 360

Sanctions and the Russian Economy

Please join the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program for a fascinating discussion on the current state and future of the Russian economy under international sanctions.

Event by Max Bergmann , Maria Snegovaya , Ben Cahill , and Sergey Aleksashenko — January 19, 2023

The Role of Gas in Ukraine’s Energy Future

Ukraine’s natural gas sector can be a pillar of the postwar economy, but it will be challenging to attract investment. This brief examines the role of gas in Ukraine’s energy future, including its resource base and potential in a lower-carbon Europe.

Brief by Ben Cahill and Leslie Palti-Guzman — January 13, 2023