C.O.B. Tuesday is a weekly one-hour talk show that serves as a knowledge pipeline for the energy industry and the energy curious. We host honest, timely, conversations with people we believe can improve the discussion, can provide new perspectives, can share unique insights into key energy issues, and can discuss inventive, pragmatic solutions for a stronger energy future. Produced by Veriten.
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Today we had the pleasure of hosting Steven Kobos, President and CEO of Excelerate Energy. Steven has served as President and CEO since 2018 and previously spent 11 years as a member of the company’s Board of Directors and corporate counsel. Throughout his career, he has worked across global energy markets, including Kuwait, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Finland, Germany, and the Middle East. Excelerate is a global leader in flexible LNG infrastructure solutions, focused on expanding ...
Today we were pleased to host Marshall Carver, Professor of Finance at Tulane University, who is currently in Beijing teaching students through a joint program with the University of China Academy of Social Sciences (UCAS). We have known Marshall since his time at Tudor Pickering Holt, and he has since built a 20+ year career in equity and debt research. He joined the Tulane faculty five years ago and teaches energy-focused courses including energy investment banking, financial modeling, risk ma...
This week we had the exciting opportunity to travel to Anchorage, Alaska, to participate in the Fifth Annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. The conference convenes researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors to discuss the future of energy development, infrastructure, technology, and resource leadership across Alaska and the broader global energy landscape. We had the honor of moderating a discussion featuring Governor Mike Dunleavy and Chairman of the Nation...
Today we were thrilled to welcome back our good friend Roger Pielke Jr., Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of The Honest Broker on Substack (linked here ). Roger’s research focuses on science and technology policy, climate policy, energy policy, extreme events and disasters, the politicization of science, governmental science advice, and sports governance. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder and served as a professor in the Environmental S...
Today we were pleased to welcome Alfredo Álvarez, Industrial and Energy Leader at EY Latin America, for a wide-ranging discussion on the evolving energy, mining, and investment landscape across the region. Alfredo joined us from his office in Mexico City. We were especially excited to host Alfredo on Cinco de Mayo, as it felt like an opportune time to take a broader look at Latin America. In recent weeks and months, we have had several conversations focused on Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, and Mex...
Today we had the pleasure of hosting Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China, published April 15 (linked here ). His research focuses on strategies to preserve peace and protect U.S. interests and values in an era of systemic competition with China. He holds four degrees in history and China Studies form Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. In Defending Taiwan, Eyck outlines an integrated strategy to deter war with China...
Today we greatly enjoyed hosting William Su, Head of Public Energy Equities and Director of Research & Portfolio Manager, Fundamental Equities, at BlackRock. Will has an extensive career in research, investing, and commodities, and brings a valuable perspective to the global energy investor landscape. We were thrilled to visit with Will on how energy, geopolitics, and technology are increasingly intersecting to shape markets and investment frameworks. In our conversation, we explore a market...
Today we were fortunate to visit with our good friend Michael Mische, Associate Professor of Management at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. We were particularly interested in discussing his latest article, “California Gasoline Supply Outlook: A Disaster in the Making” (linked here ). The article outlines a near-term outlook of acute gasoline supply shortages in California, driven by refinery closures, declining in-state crude production, and disrupted imports,...
Today we were pleased to welcome Doug Lambert, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Saronic Technologies. Doug, alongside Dino Mavrookas (CEO), Rob Lehman (CCO), and Vibhav Altekar (CTO), co-founded Saronic in 2022 to advance maritime superiority through intelligent autonomous systems. Saronic’s mission is to equip the U.S. and its allies with advanced autonomous surface vessels, enhancing situational awareness and enabling more effective detection, tracking, and response to emerging mariti...
Today we had the unique opportunity to record COBT live from the Gulf Coast Power Association’s (GCPA) Annual Spring Conference in Houston. Joining us on stage were Mary Anne Brelinsky, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Alpha Generation, and Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon. We were thrilled to explore the current power landscape with Sean and Mary Anne. In our conversation, we examine the growing complexity of operating in today’s power markets, with Mary Anne explaining how managing a multi-...
Today we greatly enjoyed hosting Dr. Tatiana Mitrova, Global Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Director of the New Energy Advancement Hub, and Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Tatiana is an expert in energy systems, geopolitics, energy markets, and institutional decision-making, with particular emphasis on structural constraints, resilience, and risk. Born in Russia and now based in Cyprus, she brings a valuable perspective to the current turbulence ...
This week we were thrilled to welcome back Captain John Konrad, Founder and CEO of gCaptain and author of Fire on the Horizon. With the shipping situation in the Middle East rapidly evolving, John was the perfect expert to help us think through the many angles of this complex and multifaceted situation. As you will hear, this episode runs longer than our standard sixty minutes given the scope of the discussion. In our conversation, John shares his perspective on how the Strait of Hormuz crisis f...
Like many of you, we have been following the recent developments in Cuba very closely. We were fortunate to sit down with Sebastián Arcos, Interim Director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University, for a Special Edition COBT to discuss what is happening on the island and what it may mean going forward. Sebastián brings both deep personal experience and substantive expertise to the conversation. Born in Havana, he joined the Cuban Committee for Human Rights in 1987, lef...
We are excited to share this on-the-road COBT featuring Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor, Representative Pete Stauber, and Mike Minarovic, CEO of Arena Energy. Deputy Secretary MacGregor first joined the Department of the Interior in 2017, served in senior leadership roles during the first Trump Administration, and returned as Deputy Secretary in 2025 after serving as Vice President of Environmental Services at NextEra Energy. Representative Stauber is serving his fourth term in Congress and serv...
Dr. Dan Yergin discusses how recent events in Iran have dramatically altered the global energy outlook, highlighting market complacency and the risks of bad policy made under duress. The conversation delves into the conflict's impact on oil prices, the unique vulnerability of LNG through the Strait of Hormuz, and Europe's precarious energy position. Yergin also previews CERAWeek themes, emphasizing the growing convergence of energy, power, and technology, the crucial role of AI in electricity demand, and the long-term implications for global markets and regional geopolitics.
Admiral Bill McRaven, Theodore Bunzel, and George Bilicic provide an in-depth analysis of the US military strikes against Iran, covering operational assessments, Iran's tactical responses, and the broader geopolitical implications. They examine the resulting volatility in energy markets, the challenges of securing the Strait of Hormuz, and how these events are reshaping corporate decision-making and capital allocation worldwide. The discussion highlights US military capabilities, European energy vulnerabilities, and the increasing demand for reliable energy supplies amid global uncertainty.
Jay Timmons, CEO of NAM, highlights the policies essential for U.S. manufacturing to thrive globally. He emphasizes the need for affordable energy, renewed tax reforms, and a comprehensive approach to address workforce shortages through training and immigration reform. Timmons also calls for streamlined permitting, legal reform, and strengthened trade agreements like USMCA to provide the certainty manufacturers need for long-term investment and competitiveness.
Dr. Fiona Murray, an expert on innovation ecosystems, delves into the profound impact of geopolitics on technology and capital flows, particularly since 2016. She highlights the evolving landscape for entrepreneurs facing national security considerations and the challenges within European innovation, including fragmented markets and funding limitations. The conversation also covers NATO's two-pronged innovation strategy, lessons from China's industrial policy, the shift in student priorities towards resilience, and the future of AI and frontier technologies.
This episode features Ruaraidh Montgomery discussing the evolving landscape of global oil and gas exploration, noting a strategic shift by majors to rebuild portfolios beyond the Lower 48. He details an "acreage grab" in regions like the Atlantic Margin and Brazil, driven by a structural need to secure supply into the 2030s. The conversation also covers how advanced data analysis, AI, and more attractive fiscal terms are revitalizing exploration in mature basins and unlocking international shale opportunities, with insights into NOCs expanding globally.
This episode explores the flipped energy asset market, now dominated by gas deals and international buyers, driving seller-friendly valuations. Discussions include the rise of Asset-Backed Securities, the disconnect between private and public market valuations, and corporate M&A's role in supplying assets. Guests also cover the return of bank lending, the impact of regulatory shifts on basins like New Mexico, and the future of industry consolidation and exploration globally.
David Bat from Kimberlite Research analyzes current oilfield services trends and technologies, highlighting how innovation drives significant efficiency gains despite market oversupply concerns. He discusses global growth hotspots, the fragmentation of North American services versus international dominance by major players, and the challenges and necessity of industry consolidation. Bat also shares insights into the impact of digital transformation and the strong correlation between customer loyalty (Net Promoter Score) and future financial performance.
Bill Anderson from Evercore discusses the robust 2025 M&A landscape driven by antitrust optimism and strong buyer stocks, alongside the surge in shareholder activism. He details how activism has become a critical risk management issue for public companies, with strategies for engagement, board composition, and the evolving influence of proxy advisors. The conversation also covers regulatory challenges, the impact of universal proxy, and advice for attracting long-only capital.
Ali Moshiri provides an expert analysis of Venezuela's energy landscape, detailing its vast heavy oil resources and the capital needed to boost production. He outlines the strategic importance of US policy in fostering stability and attracting diverse investors, from smaller firms to public-private partnerships, while also considering the limited roles of China and Russia. The discussion also explores the country's significant untapped gas potential, the complexities of political cycles in Latin America, and a long-term outlook on global oil demand.
Jim Murchie of Energy Income Partners breaks down the complex dynamics of the power sector. He explains that rising residential electricity prices are primarily driven by distribution and "other" costs, rather than generation, and highlights the stark differences in pricing and investment incentives between regulated and deregulated markets. Murchie also discusses the impact of data centers on the grid, emphasizing the administration's focus on reliability and the need for new generation, advocating for clearer billing and better policy incentives to ensure a stable power future.
Dr. Mike Laufer, CEO of Kairos Power, details the company's nine-year journey, its commitment to making nuclear power cheaper than natural gas, and its unique strategy of iterative hardware demonstrations and vertical integration. He highlights successful NRC engagement, the Google partnership for a 500 MW deployment by 2035, and lessons learned from past nuclear project failures, emphasizing execution, centralized control, and fostering public trust. The discussion also covers their organizational model, supply chain depth, and the long-term potential of AI.
While at CIBC’s Annual Institutional Investor Conference in Whistler, we had the exciting opportunity to host Grant Isaac of Cameco for this Special Edition COBT. Grant serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Cameco and has held several roles over his 16-plus years with the company, including EVP & CFO and SVP of Corporate Services. In his current role, he is responsible for all Cameco operations, exploration, and corporate development, as well as the company’s commercial and fina...
It was an honor to welcome David MacNaughton, Strategic Advisor at CIBC and former Canadian Ambassador to the United States. David joined CIBC earlier in January (press release linked here ) and will provide insights to senior business leaders across public policy, regulatory developments, global trade, and stakeholder relations. David served as Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. from 2016 to 2019, a pivotal period that included the renegotiation of NAFTA. Earlier in his career, David served as Cha...
Over the years, we have really enjoyed hosting the Goldman Sachs Research Team, and today we are thrilled to share this Special Edition featuring Neil Mehta (Managing Director and Head of North American Natural Resources Equity Research), Carly Davenport (Vice President, Equity Research), and Brian Singer (Managing Director and Global Head, GS SUSTAIN for Global Investment Research). Neil joined Goldman in 2008 and oversees research coverage across oil and gas, utilities, midstream, metals and m...
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt highlights the crucial role of states in driving bipartisan permitting reform, contrasting practical state-level solutions with federal political gridlock. He advocates for free markets and limited government, detailing Oklahoma's "behind the meter" energy policy and emphasizing the need to educate the public on power sources and affordability. The discussion also touches on market trends, the political motivations behind policy decisions, and the complexities of tribal sovereignty in infrastructure development.
This episode features Rob West discussing the profound shift in energy market narratives, moving from net-zero to AI and power demand. He challenges established "truths," predicting flattening solar/EV growth, questioning the LNG glut narrative, and forecasting continued oil demand increases. West also explores the implications of increased defense spending, the future of coal and copper, the critical role of flexible power grids in managing costs, and identifies Russia's potential collapse as the biggest wildcard for 2026.
