Dr. Yousef M. Alshammari is a globally distinguished energy expert, serving as the President of the London College of Energy Economics and an Honorary Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at Imperial College London. He is renowned as one of the world’s top 50 global energy analysts, a LinkedIn Top Economics Voice, and a top forecaster by S&P. Dr. Alshammari has dedicated his career to addressing critical energy challenges through innovative research, policy advising, and media commentary. He is the winner of the OPEC Best Young Energy Professional award, for dedicating his career to the objective study of the energy sector while delivering balanced analysis and better understanding of key determinants of energy markets stability. His research bridges technology, economics, and policy to design sustainable energy solutions, with a focus on low-carbon technologies, energy transition scenarios, and the energy-water nexus. Dr. Alshammari is an expert member of the Group of Experts on Sustainable Energy at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva, advising countries on better strategies for decarbonisation of fossil fuels. His insights have been featured in prominent outlets such as Bloomberg, Reuters, EuroNews, CNN, CNBC, and AlArabiya, establishing him as a leading voice in the global energy dialogue. Dr. Alshammari’s academic journey is marked by rigorous training and distinguished achievements. He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London (2009–2014), where his research focused on clean energy production via hydrothermal gasification of hydrocarbons, combining advanced experimental work with thermodynamic modelling.

His dissertation explored hydrogen production from heavy oil fields, laying the groundwork for his expertise in clean fossil fuel technologies. Additionally, in 2011, he was a Visiting Research Student at Tsinghua University, China, further broadening his global perspective. Prior to his PhD, he completed an MSc (Merit) in Chemical Engineering (2008–2009) and a BEng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering (2006–2008) at the University of Nottingham, UK. While doing his PhD, Dr. Alshammari was awarded the Outstanding Student Service Award as the President of the Student Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogen Energy at Imperial College London. He was then selected as a Future Energy Leader by the World Energy Council in 2013.

Dr. Alshammari has held impactful roles across academia, industry, and international organisations. Following his PhD, he started his career as a researcher at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where he analysed the techno-economic assessment of nuclear production of hydrogen. He has also served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at KAUST, a Research Scientist at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Economics, Business, and Statistics (2016–2019). His tenure as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) involved designing future scenarios for marine fuel utilisation under stringent international regulations. He was the winner of the World Energy Congress Prize for the top 20 research papers in 2016 for his work on the impact of low oil prices on carbon capture and storage. In 2017, he was also the winner of the UK Alumni Award for Professional Achievements, and he was invited to the G20 Global Solutions Think Summit in Germany as a Young Global Changer. In 2018, he was honoured with a certificate of appreciation for his long-term leadership services as a board member of Future Energy Leaders by the World Energy Council.

He returned to London in 2018 as a founder, CEO, and Head of Energy Strategy at CMarkits, a London-based energy analysis firm, through which he provided strategic insights into oil markets, energy transitions, and sustainable energy policies. As a consultant, he frequently responds to inquiries from the international media and financial industry on the potential future directions of oil markets under issues of critical uncertainty, including OPEC+ decisions, geopolitical developments, and natural disasters. He has also served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at KAUST, a Research Scientist at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Economics, Business, and Statistics (2016–2019). His tenure as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) involved designing future scenarios for marine fuel utilisation under stringent international regulations.

He was the winner of the World Energy Congress Prize for the top 20 research papers in 2016 for his work on the impact of low oil prices on carbon capture and storage. In 2017, he was also the winner of the UK Alumni Award for Professional Achievements, and he was invited to the G20 Global Solutions Think Summit in Germany as a Young Global Changer. In 2018, he was honoured with a certificate of appreciation for his long-term leadership services as a board member of Future Energy Leaders by the World Energy Council.

Dr. Alshammari is the first author of over 10 publications in top-tier journals, including Energy Policy, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, and OPEC Energy Review. His work addresses critical issues, including achieving an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Saudi Arabia under varying oil prices, CO₂ capture integration, and the role of hydrocarbons in low-carbon transitions. His research has attracted funding from leading companies and prestigious institutions, including SABIC, KAUST, OPEC, and King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS). His 20-year service to the energy industry was remarkably honoured by winning the OPEC Best Young Energy Professional Award in 2023, particularly for his contributions to energy research and analysis of market stability. He also won the World Energy Congress Top 20 Paper Award for his work on cost-effective CO2 capture under low oil prices in 2016 and the UK Alumni Award for Professional Achievements in 2017.

Dr. Alshammari was a keynote speaker at the London Climate Technology Show (2022), along with the CEO of the UK Environmental Agency, Sir James Bevan, and HH Sheikha Shamma Al-Nahayyan. He was also a speaker at multiple international events, including the London’s International Energy Week (2024 and 2025), the GI Energy Markets Forum (2023), the MIT Energy Conference (2023), the Vienna Energy Security Dialogue (2022), the Microsoft Sustainability Dialogue in Saudi Arabia (2022), and the European Energy Forum (2015).

In 2022, Dr. Alshammary was honoured as the guest speaker of the year on “OPEC+ and Oil Market Dynamics” by the International Society of Petroleum Engineers in Saudi Arabia, sponsored by Aramco and SLB. He has also moderated high-profile energy events, such as ChemIndix 2024 in Saudi Arabia, engaging with leaders from Aramco, Air Products, Linde, and Air Liquide.

In 2024, he was invited by the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia to address American energy companies, including Exxon, KBR, Fluor, Air Products, and Lumus Technology, on opportunities and challenges of crude-to-chemicals projects in the Kingdom and beyond. In 2025, Dr. Alshammari was invited to the British royal residence, Windsor Castle, to speak at the Windsor Energy Group meeting on the role of international partnerships in commercialising energy research and the role of the young generation in driving the future of sustainable energy.

In 2025, Dr. Alshammari was invited to the British royal residence, Windsor Castle, to speak at the Windsor Energy Group meeting on the role of international partnerships in commercialising energy research and the role of the young generation in driving the future of sustainable energy.

At Imperial College, he serves as an Honorary Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor), teaching on the MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures programme while supervising research projects in hydrogen economics, energy transitions and economic growth. He is keen on bridging the gaps between technology and economics, aiming to accelerate sustainable pathways for energy transition.

As a sought-after speaker and commentator, Dr. Alshammari has appeared on over 400 TV programs, providing expert analysis on OPEC+ decisions, geopolitical developments, and energy market dynamics. During the COVID-19 crisis, he responded to over 100 media inquiries and participated in OPEC+ virtual press conferences with energy ministers from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE. His commentary has been featured in Forbes Middle East, CNN Arabic, and Oilprice, among others. He has also served as a judge at the Oil & Gas Middle East Awards (2023–2024), evaluating multi-billion-dollar energy projects.

He had served for six years as a Future Energy Leader (FEL) and a FEL Board member at the World Energy Council, where he supported the council’s research work on the energy trilemma while supporting future energy leaders on global energy insight. In 2018, he was honoured with a certificate of appreciation for his long-term leadership services as a board member of Future Energy Leaders by the World Energy Council. Dr. Alshammari’s leadership extends to education and mentorship. He has trained over 1,500 students in Saudi Arabia and the UK and currently co-supervises research students in energy economics at Imperial College London. His students were recruited by leading energy firms, including Aramco, SLB, Halliburton, and NEOM.

Between 2023 and 2025, he served as a distinguished judge at the Oil & Gas Middle East Awards, where he evaluated the sustainability and decarbonisation of numerous multi-billion-dollar projects and talented individuals from leading energy firms across the region. His accolades include being elected a Fellow of the Energy Institute (UK) for his significant contributions to the energy sector, receiving the UK Alumni Prize for Professional Achievements, and being honoured as a Distinguished Scholar by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London.

As a G20 Young Global Changer, he has contributed to global summits, including the G20 Think Summit, advocating for innovative energy policies. Dr. Alshammari has lectured widely on energy economics at multiple leading universities, including Imperial College London (UK), Johns Hopkins University (US), KFUPM (Saudi Arabia), and others. At the London College of Energy Economics, Dr. Alshammari drives initiatives to advance energy economics education and research, emphasising the integration of digital technologies and sustainable practices. His vision aligns with the college’s mission to foster innovative solutions for a net-zero future, leveraging his expertise to shape the next generation of energy leaders.

Dr. Alshammari has cultivated a multifaceted engagement with the oil and gas industry via moderating high-profile panels, participating in industry events, and providing expert analysis on energy strategies. His interactions underscore a commitment to advancing sustainable technologies, AI integration, and decarbonization within the energy sector, often bridging academic insights with Aramco’s operational innovations.

A pivotal aspect of his industry engagement occurred at ChemIndix 2024, hosted by Aramco in Dhahran. As moderator of the Plenary Panel Session entitled “Supporting Sustainable Energy Transition,” he facilitated discussions on achieving net-zero emissions and technology’s role in low-carbon transitions. The panel featured industry leaders from Aramco, alongside industry leaders from Axens, Linde, Air Products, Shandong Energy Group, and Air Liquide.

Alshammari highlighted Aramco’s groundbreaking projects, such as the region’s first Direct Air CO₂ capture plant set for commissioning in 2025, emphasising collaborative decarbonization efforts with international partners. His engagement contributed not only to amplifying the industry’s leadership in green technologies but also to fostering dialogue on practical pathways to energy resilience.

Equally significant was his moderation at the SPE AI Symposium 2025, hosted by Aramco in Dhahran, February 2025. Alshammari moderated a session on AI’s transformative impact on energy and sustainability, engaging experts from Aramco, SLB, Halliburton, and IoT Squared. During the session, he discussed with Aramco officials the vision of how Aramco views AI as a game-changer.

During that session, it was revealed that Aramco views AI as an enabler to sustain its competitive strength as the most reliable energy producer in the world, producing the lowest cost & lowest carbon-intense barrels in the world. These are key pillars which identify the company: reliability, affordability and sustainability. It was also shown that the company had embarked on multiple geological AI models to maintain its production, including rig optimisation to reduce GHG emissions.

As a judge at Oil & Gas Middle East Awards (2023-2025), he evaluated dozens of oil and gas projects in the Middle East, which consolidated his position as a leading Oil and Gas sustainability voice in the Middle East and a key collaborator promoting innovation in AI, sustainability, and energy economics. This contributing to elevating the industy’s global initiatives and advancing broader industry dialogues on transitioning to a low-carbon future, leveraging his expertise to influence policy and practice.

As a speaker in multiple events of this calibre, his expertise positioned him to guide discussions on AI’s role in optimising production and reducing emissions—aligning with Aramco’s digital transformation agenda. This engagement built on his contributions to SPE technical committees, enhancing industry-organised forums with balanced, evidence-based perspectives.

Alshammari began his OPEC involvement as a Research Fellow, where he contributed to energy economics and policy analysis, including publications in the OPEC Energy Review and serving as a reviewer for the journal. He witnessed two key ministerial meetings: the 2014 meeting when OPEC decided to maintain production levels amid the rise of shale oil production in the United States, and the inaugural meeting of the OPEC+ alliance in December 2016, both in Vienna. This foundational period, starting around 2013, allowed him to delve into critical issues like hydrogen production, energy transitions in the petrochemical sector, and the impacts of low oil prices on carbon capture technologies—work that earned him the World Energy Congress Prize in 2016. His dedication to supporting the OPEC mission of stable energy markets and producer-consumer dialogue culminated in the 2023 OPEC Best Young Energy Professional award, recognising his balanced analysis and efforts to enhance understanding of energy market stability.

Transitioning to independent expertise, Alshammari has significantly bolstered the OPEC+ alliance—a coalition of OPEC members and non-OPEC producers led by Russia—through insightful commentary and strategic advisory. He has attended all OPEC+ monthly virtual press conferences since 2020, engaging with energy ministers from key nations, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE. His contributions include over 40 articles in outlets like OilPrice.com and Forbes Middle East, analysing OPEC+ output decisions, the rationale behind adjusting production levels amid demand concerns and expectations for meetings that influence global prices.

With more than 400 TV appearances on networks like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Al Arabiya, Alshammari provides real-time insights on OPEC+ dynamics, geopolitical influences, and compliance challenges, helping stakeholders navigate uncertainties like COVID-19 disruptions and supply surpluses. Dr. Alshammari continues to forecast OPEC+ adjustments, such as production hikes or extensions of voluntary cuts, emphasising market fundamentals and seasonal demand. His work fosters dialogue on energy transitions, ensuring OPEC+ remains adaptive in a volatile landscape, ultimately promoting stable oil prices and sustainable energy policies for global benefit.

Dr. Alshammari has been a regular invitee to the International Energy Forum (IEF) Outlooks Symposium in Riyadh since 2015, where he discusses the latest developments in energy markets and energy transition with government officials, industry leaders, and financial analysts, under the patronage of HRH the Saudi Energy Minister. He addressed the forum on Energy Security and Transitions in the New Risk Environment at its meeting in Paris, June 2023. He was invited by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to contribute to the Agency’s report “The Implications of Oil and Gas Field Decline Rates”, in 2025, along with world leading analysts from the Oil and Gas and the financial industry. The report examined the accelerating decline in production from existing oil and gas fields, highlighting significant implications for global energy markets and security, analysing data from approximately 15,000 fields worldwide. It noted that global average annual post-peak decline rates are 5.6% for conventional oil and 6.8% for conventional natural gas. These rates vary widely by region and field type: from 1.8% in the Middle East to 9.8% in Europe. Yet, unconventional resources face steeper declines, with output dropping over 35% in the first year without investment. The report revealed that the decline rates had increased since 2010, with oil production losses rising from 4 mbpd to 5.5 mbpd annually, and natural gas from 180 to 270 billion cubic meters (bcm).

Digitalisation, including AI and machine learning, drives efficiency in energy systems, particularly in oil production CCUS, though a shortage of skilled personnel remains a challenge which requires strengthening energy professionals through competitive up-to-date training programmes. Since 2015, Dr. Alshammari contributed to multiple recommendations including urging policymakers to shift from using the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE), which narrowly assesses electricity generation costs, to the Full Cost of Energy (FCOE), which incorporates system-level costs like grid upgrades, environmental impacts, and societal factors. This comprehensive approach avoids misleading investment decisions and supports resilient systems.
His engagement also focused on securing affordable financing is essential for renewable energy, grid upgrades, and energy efficiency, requiring incentives to de-risk investments. He also contributed to recommendations on sustainable transport, which highlighted the electrification of transport alone is not sufficient and the fact that electrification of transport must integrate with renewable energy and smart grid technologies to achieve net-zero mobility. His particularly emphasised including the use of low-carbon fuels as a vital source of energy for hard-to-abate transport sectors, emphasising a technology-neutral approach to enhance energy security and reduce emissions, aligning with the 2030 Agenda’s sustainable energy goals.

One of his prominent involvements includes the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, where he was interviewed on the sidelines by Amena Bakr of Energy Intelligence. During the event, he discussed oil market dynamics amid geopolitical uncertainties, contributing insights on supply stability and investment strategies in a volatile global landscape. This participation aligned with FII’s focus on reshaping investment and energy futures, allowing him to engage with global investors and innovators. Dr. Alshammari’s role at the MIT Energy Conference in 2023 was equally impactful, where he served as a speaker. Drawing from his expertise in energy economics, he addressed topics like sustainable fossil fuel strategies and the integration of renewables in petrochemical sectors. His presentation highlighted the challenges of low oil prices on carbon capture technologies, echoing his earlier award-winning research. This engagement at MIT underscored his commitment to advancing academic-industry collaborations on energy resilience.
He has also maintained a significant engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 2013, evolving from an intern to a respected participant in global nuclear policy discussions.

As a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, Alshammari secured a prestigious IAEA internship award in May 2013, travelling to Vienna to research energy economics and nuclear applications. This hands-on experience laid the foundation for his postdoctoral work at the IAEA starting in 2014, where he focused on assessing clean hydrogen production through nuclear cogeneration—combining electricity and hydrogen generation via steam electrolysis for refinery use. His contributions emphasised decarbonization strategies, aligning with global sustainability goals and informing analyses on integrating nuclear power into energy mixes for reduced emissions.
Over the years, Alshammari has actively participated in key IAEA events. In November 2018, he attended the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology in Vienna, meeting high-level officials including Japan’s Parliamentary Vice Minister Kiyoto Tsuji and Costa Rica’s Vice President Epsy Campbell Barr, while covering proceedings on nuclear energy in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. He also contributed to the IAEA International Safeguards Symposium that year, exploring virtual reality applications for nuclear site inspections and authoring insights on safeguards implementation. In September 2025, Alshammari returned to the IAEA General Conference, engaging with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, reflecting on his 13-year journey since interning. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions for net-zero by 2050, advocating diversified energy with nuclear to ensure security and affordability. Through these engagements, Alshammari has bridged academia, policy, and industry, promoting nuclear technology’s role in sustainable energy transitions worldwide.