Crystol Energy’s Advisory Board held its Spring Meeting in London against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, following President Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement—an event already sending ripples through global markets.

Chaired by Lord Howell, former UK Secretary of State for Energy, the Board convened a distinguished group of Advisors: Ieda Gomes, Daniel Witt, Peter van Leeuwen, Dr. Nadine Itani, Christof Rühl, Yewande Abiose, and Anton Mifsud-Bonnici. The discussion was enriched by several high-level guests, including Lord Lamont, Viscount Trenchard, Jacob Nell (EDF), Prof. Arun Sharma (Adani Group), Vera de Moraes Dantas Innes (Brazilian Chamber of Commerce), Robert Harvey, Alexander Naumov (BP), and Seyi Ajibola (ZTL Limited).

Group Photo (from left to right) - First Row: Lord Howell, Dr. Carole Nakhle (CEO); Second Row: Daniel Witt, Ieda Gomes, Yewande Abiose, Lord Lamont, Vera de Moraes Dantas Innes; Third Row: Christof Ruhl, Anton Mifsud-Bonnici, Alexander Naumov, Viscount Trenchard, Peter van Leeuwen, Arun Sharma, Robert Harvey, Dr. Nadine Itani and Jacob Nell

Together, they explored the far-reaching implications of growing trade tensions, shifting global leadership, and the evolving energy landscape. While the outlook was, at times, sobering, the discussions reinforced the importance of strategic foresight in navigating today’s rapidly changing world.

The meeting also celebrated Lord Howell’s latest book, ‘Avoiding the Coming Anarchy’, a timely contribution to the broader conversation. Informal discussions continued into the evening over dinner at the House of Lords, followed by a lively exchange at a nearby pub.

Trump tariffs: Concern grows over falling oil prices

Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy, is quoted in this article, published by DW News, where she weighs the effect of US tariffs on global oil prices.

According to Dr. Nakhle, the effect of tariffs on oil markets is not solely related to their rates or abruptness, but rather to the ongoing uncertainty and the tit-for-tat dynamic they create. In addittion, these tariffs were introduced when oil demand was not booming while supply is plentiful, resulting in the price levels we are currently seeing.

Crude oil prices, 2025

Data source: US Energy Information Administration

Amid ongoing tensions within the OPEC+ alliance over uneven compliance with production cuts, Nakhle suspects that noncompliant members have “exhausted the patience of the most disciplined members” because they’ve been “carrying the burden of the cuts” for some time.

Although the recent OPEC+ move has driven down oil prices—hurting revenues for producers such as Kazakhstan and Iraq—it is likely to have broader negative consequences for all members. According to Nakhle, this signals a strategic shift within the alliance toward accepting a longer-term, lower-price environment in global oil markets: “OPEC+ believe … it would be better for some members, especially those who invested heavily in expanding their production capacity, to safeguard market share.”

Read the article (in English)

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Crystol Energy