in association with
OVERVIEW
An Energy Roundtable + Legal Innovation Forum program focused on challenges and opportunities facing the North American energy sector in today’s volatile, risk-on ecosystem.
The global energy industry is facing unprecedented risk in an era of geopolitical instability, regulatory uncertainty, supply chain challenges and tariffs impacting cross-border trade. Forward-thinking energy companies – both north and south of the border – are bolstering risk mitigation strategies as they strive for business resilience.
Houston is recognized as the energy capital of the world – not only in the established oil and gas sectors, but also for renewable sources such as wind and solar power – making it the ideal location for this half-day live event.
Through a series of panel discussions, fireside chats, and presentations, we will bring together leading energy companies, law firms and service providers to examine the key drivers and trends in this dynamic sector and shed light on successful strategies for mitigating risk and driving business growth in these uncertain times.
Structure + Audience
- Half-day event held in Houston on December 3, 2025
- Hosted @ Clifford Chance’s Houston Office
- 125 attendees: C-Suite + risk leaders from US and Canadian energy companies, and leaders from financial services firms (banks, institutional investors), law firms, professional services firms and other industry specialists
- The forum will run from 9am to 2pm, with panels, presentations, networking breaks + lunch
THEMES + AGENDA
Panel 1: KEY DRIVERS + TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GLOBAL ENERGY SECTOR
- Trade: How are cross-border trade policies, tariffs, and geopolitical sanctions impacting energy flows? For example, what do initiatives like Trump’s deal with the Europeans to buy $750 billion in energy over the next three years mean for US producers?
- Market volatility and financial risks: Navigating fluctuations in oil, gas, and electricity prices due to global supply-demand imbalances, and overcoming capital allocation uncertainty
- Growth in renewable energy: Adapting to the rapid growth of solar, wind, and hydro, and accelerated adoption of electric vehicles as consumer demands evolve
- Technological disruption: Challenges in adopting and integrating new technologies in the energy sector
Panel 2: CROSS-BORDER RISK + OPPORTUNITIES: WORKING WITH CANADIAN SUPPLIERS TO DRIVE US BUSINESS GROWTH
- The Canadian impact: As the largest external supplier of energy products to the US, what role does Canada play in driving business growth for energy companies south of the border? How has Trump’s trade affected the bilateral energy trade?
- Canada as a contrarian play: Despite having world-class energy resources and favorable shipping times to buyers in the Americas and Asia, Canada is seen as a contrarian play due to the regulatory hurdles in developing new energy infrastructure. However, this is changing with the passage of Bill C5 by the new Carney Government, legislation that will fast-track projects of national interest. This change in sentiment compliments Canadian producers that have steady cash flow, high yields and efficient operations and significant mid and downstream opportunities.
- AI datacentres: A massive growth of renewables and gas-fired power generation across North American markets is spurring competition to draw massive AI data centres. For example, the province of Alberta has a merchant power market, ample space, inexpensive and plentiful gas-fired generation and renewables, cool weather, and big plans to locate $100 billion in data centre operations in their jurisdiction.
- Expanding renewable supply chains: Best practices for capitalizing on US demand for Canadian renewable technology, materials, and expertise
- Market Dynamics: Identifying key energy sectors where Canadian suppliers can meet US demand
- Strategic Partnerships: Building cross-border alliances to access larger markets, joint infrastructure projects and clean energy programs
- Capitalizing on Canada’s vast, untapped reserves of critical minerals essential for EVs, batteries, and defense
Panel 3: MANAGING SUPPLY CHAIN AND TRADE RISK
- Advising on trade compliance + strategy: Guiding the business amid cross-border tariffs, ensuring compliance with shifting regulations, and exploring legal avenues such as exemptions and reclassifications
- Supply chain disruption: Navigating shifting trade policies, resource availability and transportation routes
- Handling trade disputes and litigation cases to protect the business from risk
- How are supply chain vulnerabilities affecting equipment, materials, and skilled labour in the energy sector?
Panel 4: NAVIGATING POLITICAL RISK AND FLUCTUATING GEOPOLITICAL ALLIANCES
- Regulatory policy uncertainty: Managing compliance challenges amid frequent changes in climate policies, environmental regulations, emissions targets, and permitting processes
- Geopolitical instability: How are successful energy companies overcoming rising commodity prices driven by global conflicts and trade tensions?
- Reviewing and modifying contracts: Ensuring compliance with new trade agreements in volatile times
- Scenario Planning: Conducting geopolitical risk assessments and stress-testing business models against political disruptions
Panel 5: THE SHIFTING ROLE OF AI IN THE ENERGY SECTOR: EXPLORING THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP THAT WILL DRIVE ECONOMIC INNOVATION
- Platform proliferation: What AI-driven energy platforms offer and where the market is heading
- Energy as the backbone of AI innovation: How the energy sector is becoming a key enabler of the AI revolution, powering the digital infrastructure that will drive US economic growth
- AI’s growing energy appetite: Understanding the massive power demands of the burgeoning AI infrastructure, and what it means for the US energy sector
- AI as a power enabler: How AI is driving smarter generation, distribution, and consumption of energy across legacy and modern systems
- Regulatory readiness: Navigating the evolving policy and regulatory landscape around AI use in the critical energy infrastructure
- AI as a catalyst for the energy transition: How AI is enabling the shift from traditional energy systems to more sustainable, efficient, and flexible energy infrastructures
Panel 6: CAPITAL MARKETS: NAVIGATING MARKET VOLATILITY AND ITS RIPPLE EFFECT ON THE ENERGY SECTOR
- Capital market fluctuations: How rising interest rates, inflation concerns, and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping investor sentiment and access to capital
- Accelerated exits: Private equity firms report early exits as clients seek liquidity amid market uncertainty and shifting return expectations
- Foreign investment: Private equity clients from around the world are seeking investment opportunities in the US energy space
- Policy and regulatory impact: How evolving US energy policy and tax incentives are influencing capital allocation decisions
- Investor expectations: The rising importance of ESG metrics, transparency, and long-term risk mitigation in attracting capital to energy ventures
HOST SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
