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, engineering firms and other industry specialists
- The forum will run from noon to 5pm, 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 the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles as consumer demands evolve
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 its world class resources and favorable shipping times to buyers in the Americans and Asia, Canada is seen as a contrarian play due to the regulatory hurdles in developing new projects. However, this is changing with initiatives to fast-track projects of national interest. This complements Canadian producers that have steady cash flow, high yields and significant mid + downstream opportunities.
- 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: NAVIGATING FLUCTUATING GEOPOLITICAL ALLIANCES AND TRADE RISK
- Regulatory policy: Managing uncertainty 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?
- Scenario planning: Conducting geopolitical risk assessments and stress-testing business models against political disruptions.
- Advising on trade strategy + business risk: Guiding businesses and developing strategies to deal with tariff uncertainty, shifting regulations, and potential legal challenges.
- Handling trade disputes and litigation matters to protect the business from risk.
Panel 4: AI AND THE DEMAND FOR ENERGY
- AI-powered innovation: How leading technology companies are not only contributing to the demand surge but are also innovating to deploy AI across sectors to increase efficiency, accelerate the energy transition, and proactively manage emerging technological, environmental and legal risks.
- Managing demand: A look at how energy producers are planning to meet growing electricity demand, which could more than double by 2030 due to the rise of AI.
- Diversification as a solution: How meeting increased demand with a mix of energy sources, including renewables and natural gas, could help manage costs and emissions and drive efficiency.
Policy and investment: How policymakers and businesses can work together to implement policies that incentivize energy efficiency, encourage diverse energy supply, and help minimize costs.
- Energy market pressure: How companies should be thinking about—and planning for—potential price pressures in national electricity markets.
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