This week at CeraWeek, the world’s premier fossil fuels conference, the industry displayed a mixture of jubilation and underlying unease. Last year, sustainability was a focal point at the Houston convention, with companies promoting climate plans. However, following Donald Trump’s re-election, there has been a shift in tone, with the industry shifting from discussions of energy transition to echoing Trump’s emphasis on energy “dominance”.
The atmosphere at this year’s CeraWeek was not only celebratory but also marked by bravado. The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, initiated the conference by stating the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to increased American energy production. In line with this stance, as the White House unveiled significant environmental policy rollbacks, the interior secretary, Doug Burgum, endorsed Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” mantra and announced plans to cut 20 to 30% of US regulation.
Executives, who had recently been emphasizing their sustainability credentials, now showered praise on the Trump administration. Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, dismissed the shift away from fossil fuels as “doomed to fail”, while Larry Fink of BlackRock wore a bracelet emblazoned with “make energy great again”. The CEOs of ConocoPhillips, Ryan Lance, and Chevron, Mike Wirth, also expressed admiration for what they considered the best energy team in decades under Trump.
Inside the Houston venue, BP distanced itself from its recent sustainability vows in favor of boosting US gas production. The event’s lavish amenities contrasted with the outside atmosphere, where activists staged the largest protest in CeraWeek history, chanting for clean air and more responsible energy policies. Nineteen people were arrested as police responded.
Despite the overt confidence, some industry leaders showed signs of concern about the sector’s future under Trump. Uncertainty over tariffs and policy swings between administrations were highlighted as potential risks.
When addressing the conference, even Trump’s strongest supporters called for stability. Vicki Hollub of Occidental lamented the uncertain fate of a tax credit for carbon capture, and Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth pushed for policy decisions to be enshrined in legislation rather than executive orders.
Oil billionaire and Trump donor Harold Hamm also voiced concerns that increased production could depress oil prices too low to sustain drilling efforts. Nevertheless, the conference made it clear that the US has no plans to reduce fossil fuel output, which top climate experts argue is crucial to prevent climate catastrophe.
Dr. Melissa Aroncyzk, a media studies and climate expert, commented that the administration’s focus on “dominating” the environment would eventually lead to the public facing the consequences of climate change.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/15/cera-week-houston-texas
