Kate Dourian
Non-Resident Fellow, AGSI; Contributing Editor, MEES; Fellow, Energy Institute
Kate Dourian is a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, a contributing editor at MEES, and a fellow at the Energy Institute. Previously she was the regional manager for the Middle East and Gulf states at the World Energy Council, as well as the programme officer for the Middle East and North Africa in the Global Energy Relations Division of the International Energy Agency since September 2015. Her role included building relationships between the IEA and the governments of several Middle East and North Africa countries, using the extensive contacts that she accumulated during three decades spent in several Middle Eastern and North African countries as a journalist and energy analyst. Dourian was actively involved in the discussions that led to Morocco becoming an IEA Association country and the joint work program for which she raised funds from IEA members. She also helped write and edit the Middle East and North Africa sections of several IEA publications and contributed to the supply section of the Oil Market Report. She made presentations on behalf of the IEA in various capitals, most recently at the IEF Ministerial in New Delhi in April 2018. Dourian is often consulted on Middle Eastern matters by banks, financial institutions, and oil and gas companies. She also served as the IEA’s representative on the executive board of the International Energy Forum.
Dourian joined the IEA from the Middle East Economic Survey where she was a senior editor covering energy-related developments in the Middle East for the weekly from 2013-15. She was also responsible for compiling the monthly OPEC survey for MEES, which is one of the secondary sources used by OPEC.
From 2000-13, Dourian was the editor in chief for the Middle East for oil price reporting agency Platts, now a division of S&P Global, based in Dubai. She was also the general manager of McGraw-Hill International. Additionally, she served as a member of the OPEC reporting team and was one of the reporters assigned to compile the OPEC production numbers. While in Dubai, Dourian served as a board member of the American Business Council.
From 1983-2000, Dourian was a correspondent and then a senior editor at Reuters, serving in a number of postings including Beirut, Nicosia, London, and Rabat. She joined the energy desk in 1992, covering the Brent crude market and OPEC meetings. Prior to joining Reuters, Dourian worked as a foreign correspondent for the Associated Press, based in Beirut, Lebanon from 1981-83.
Dourian has been a speaker and moderator at international conferences and has made many radio and television appearances, discussing energy and geopolitics on a number of platforms in English, Arabic, and French on BBC, CNN, Al Arabiya, CNBC, and Al Jazeera English, and has been quoted extensively in several publications. In 2024, Dourian was recognized by Gulf Intelligence as one of the top 30 female energy analysts.
Analysis
Trade Tensions and Tariffs: IEA, EIA, and OPEC Slash Global Oil Demand Forecasts
Global demand forecasts by leading agencies have diverged sharply, reflecting a deepening sense of uncertainty about the future path of the global economy.
OPEC+ Hikes Output as Trump Tariffs Rattle Global Markets
The concern for Gulf oil producers is that tariffs on major Asian powers could impact their manufacturing sectors and economies and dampen demand for oil.
Gulf Countries Drive Forward With Electric Vehicles
While the Gulf Arab states are making significant strides toward electrifying transportation and reducing emissions, the journey is fraught with challenges.
For the OPEC+ Oil Producers, a Year of Caution Paid Off
As 2024 comes to a close, oil markets remain under a cloud of uncertainty shaped by geopolitical risks, weaker-than-expected Chinese demand, and an evolving energy transition landscape.
The Presidential Election’s Implications for Gulf Oil Exporters
The opposing candidates’ energy policy agendas have stark differences, and each will have ramifications for the Gulf oil exporters, the global climate agenda, and international trade relations.
Iran’s New President Takes the Oath With Promise of Reform and Outreach
Iran has the capacity and desire to produce more oil and gas, but the need for new investment and the uncertain outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November represent key challenges.
Events
Oct 17, 2024
Oil Prices Between Regional Conflict and the U.S. Presidential Election
On October 17, AGSIW hosted a discussion on the implications of regional conflict and the U.S. presidential election on oil prices.
Speakers
Apr 4, 2024
COPs, Oil Exporters, and Their Role in the Energy Transition
On April 4, AGSIW hosted a discussion on COP and the energy transition.
Speakers
Jan 25, 2024
The Future of Hydrogen Development in the Gulf
On January 25, AGSIW hosted a discussion on hydrogen in the Gulf.
Speakers
Sep 15, 2022
China-Gulf Initiative: Evolving Chinese Demand for Gulf Energy and Geopolitical Implications
On September 15, as part of the China-Gulf Initiative, AGSIW hosted a discussion examining energy relations between China and the Gulf states.
Speakers
Mar 10, 2022
Following Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Can Gulf Countries Stabilize Energy Markets?
On March 10, AGSIW hosted a discussion examining the impact of the Ukraine crisis on global oil and gas markets and the direct effects on the Gulf region.
Speakers
Jul 27, 2021
Transitioning to Non-Oil Economies in the Gulf: Successes, Failures, and the Path Forward
On July 27, AGSIW and the National University of Singapore's Middle East Institute hosted a discussion on economic diversification efforts in the Gulf Arab states.
Speakers
