In a world that is gradually turning to renewable energies, oil and natural gas remain central players in international relations. Their control, distribution and availability directly influence peace, security and global economic balance. Behind the fluctuations in prices at the pump lie complex geopolitical issues, marked by strategic rivalries, regional conflicts and a race for resources. Here are the 10 biggest geopolitical challenges related to oil and gas, analysed in a changing global context.
1. Geographical concentration of reserves: unequal power
More than 50% of the world's oil reserves are concentrated in a few countries in the Persian Gulf. This concentration gives disproportionate power to certain producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. This places importers (Europe, China, Japan) in a position of fragile strategic dependence.
2. Manipulation des marchés par l’OPEP+ : entre coopération et rivalité
The OPEC+ alliance (OPEC + non-member producing countries such as Russia) plays a decisive role in global energy markets. By adjusting production, it directly influences prices. However, this coordination is regularly undermined by internal rivalries (Saudi Arabia vs Iran), making markets volatile and unpredictable.
3. The use of oil and gas as a diplomatic weapon
Some countries use their energy exports to exert political pressure. Russia, for example, cut off gas supplies to several European countries after invading Ukraine in 2022. Similarly, Iran regularly threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for crude oil.
4. Instability in producing countries: risk of disruption
Countries such as Libya, Venezuela, Nigeria and Iraq are suffering from political unrest, civil wars and endemic corruption. These instabilities can cause sudden supply disruptions, affecting the global energy chain.
5. Control of strategic sea lanes: a critical issue
The maritime transport of oil depends on a few key points: the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, and the Suez Canal. A crisis in these areas can paralyse the entire energy market, as was the case with the grounding of the container ship Ever Given in 2021.
6. Armed conflicts over resources: a source of tension
Many modern conflicts originate from control over oil or gas deposits. Iraq, Libya, South Sudan and Ukraine illustrate how oil can fuel wars, finance rebel groups or justify external intervention.
7. Economic sanctions and energy isolation
Sanctions imposed on producing countries such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela often aim to isolate their energy sectors. However, these measures push these countries to seek new trading partners, contributing to the fragmentation of the global energy market.
8. Resistance to the energy transition: between climate and economic interests
As the world attempts to reduce its dependence on oil in response to the climate emergency, some producers are trying to slow down the transition or promote "less polluting" but controversial solutions (natural gas as a transition energy, CO₂ capture). This standoff pits governments, businesses and environmental organisations against each other.
9. Competition for new strategic raw materials
With the rise of renewable energies, a new battle is beginning over lithium, cobalt and rare earths. China already dominates the processing of these minerals, creating a new source of tension with the United States and Europe, which are seeking to secure their own supplies.
10. Socio-environmental costs: local and global pressures
Oil and gas exploitation causes pollution, deforestation, destruction of ecosystems and displacement of populations. Local movements (Amazon, Niger Delta) are increasingly opposing these projects, supported by international NGOs. At the same time, producers are under pressure to adopt sustainable practices.
Despite accelerated efforts to develop renewable energies, oil and gas continue to play a major role in geopolitical balances. The challenges identified here highlight the complexity of the power relations surrounding these resources. While the energy transition seems inevitable, it will not be linear or smooth. For governments, businesses and citizens, it is becoming urgent to understand these dynamics in order to anticipate future crises and build a fairer, more sustainable and independent energy strategy.