Energy & Resources
G20 energy talks spotlight US oil push amid Iran war
G20 energy talks in Houston put the United States' push for expanded domestic energy production at the centre of discussions shaped by the Iran war, Middle East supply disruption and rising electricity demand.
The meeting of energy ministers began Monday and included major economies such as China, India, Japan and Germany, along with major oil producers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Canada. Venezuelan representatives were also expected to attend, US officials previously said.
US officials repeatedly promoted the goal of “Unleash the full potential of American energy”. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the aim was to produce enough energy for prosperity at home and to provide secure, affordable and reliable energy for allies.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a reduction in limits on pollution from gas- and coal-fired power plants, a move presented as helping meet growing electricity demand driven in part by the artificial intelligence industry. EPA chief Lee Zeldin accused the Biden administration of “climate alarmism” over its promotion of renewable energy.
Statements on the Middle East war were rare at the Houston meeting, but the supply effects were central to industry concern. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent oil prices higher, and advances by pro-Iranian Houthis toward control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have begun to affect movement of Saudi oil.
John Kilduff, an analyst at Again Capital, told AFP that a world without Middle East oil would be “like a band without a drummer” and said the war was “a big shock to the supply system”.
The Trump administration is also looking to Venezuela's oil reserves. Under an agreement this summer, the United States will control roughly one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves, but the country's infrastructure has suffered from decades of underinvestment.
Kenneth Medlock III, a fellow at the Baker Institute at Rice University in Houston, said Venezuela was “not a short-term fix” although it could add barrels over the longer term. He said there was little the G20 could do for the supply-demand balance beyond diplomatic efforts over the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine, and warned that a cold winter in Europe “could be brutal” under supply constraints.
Update
US officials used Tuesday's G20 energy ministers' meeting in Houston to promote American energy production.
The EPA announced a reduction in limits on pollution from gas- and coal-fired power plants to help meet electricity demand, including demand driven by artificial intelligence.
The item says statements on the Middle East war were rare at the Houston meeting despite industry concern over supply disruption.
John Kilduff of Again Capital said the war was a major shock to the supply system and could not be made up soon.
Kenneth Medlock III said Venezuela was not a short-term fix for oil supply and warned a cold winter in Europe could be difficult under supply constraints.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 September 2026 at 02:23:54 UTC.
Update
US officials said a Venezuelan delegation will participate in the G20 energy meetings in Houston.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the summit will include G20 countries plus Venezuela.
Bloomberg reported that Venezuelan oil minister Paula Henao and PDVSA vice president Jovanny Martinez would attend.
Burgum's office said Venezuela's participation comes as the Trump administration and Caracas deepen energy engagement and pursue additional energy deals.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 September 2026 at 18:11:39 UTC.
Update
The G20 energy meetings are set to begin in Houston on Monday and run through Wednesday.
The United States is promoting an agenda of expanding access to affordable, reliable and secure energy.
Delegations from China, India, Japan and Germany are among those expected, with Canada and Saudi Arabia also set to attend as major oil producers.
Oil and gas prices have risen during the Middle East war, and Europe is struggling to fill gas storage before winter.
AAA says the average US diesel price has reached a record $6.20 per gallon, while regular gasoline is 44 percent more expensive than before the war.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are expected to attend.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 September 2026 at 01:28:50 UTC.
Update
The United States welcomed Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov to North Carolina for another G20 meeting in early September.
US President Donald Trump sent envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv after the Asheville finance ministers' meeting for talks on ending the fighting.
Kyiv and European governments criticised Trump's initial 28-point plan as conceding to the Kremlin's demands.
The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 September 2026 at 08:00:39 UTC.
Update
Representatives from Russia's energy, foreign and natural resources ministries are expected to take part.
The meeting is in Houston from September 14 to 16.
Marat Berdyev, the Russian diplomat overseeing G20-related issues, made the statement on Telegram.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 September 2026 at 07:27:49 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The extent and duration of Middle East energy disruption remain unresolved.
The pace at which Venezuelan oil production can increase remains uncertain.
Source
AFP news report published on .