I once read that if you want to learn, write about it. That's one of the reasons I enjoy this weekly newsletter - it encourages me to explore the topics shaping our industry and learn from some of the best minds in the business.

As 2026 progresses, Woodside Energy continues to advance a portfolio of major developments that reflect the scale, complexity, and global reach of today’s energy industry.

Our Frontier Global Upstream Leaders Series landed in Aberdeen last week, during EAGE 26, bringing together more than 100 senior industry professionals representing 56 companies from across the globe and creating a truly international forum for discussion, collaboration and connection.

We asked Claudia Napolitano, ExxonMobil’s Vice President – Exploration Commercial, to identify the most valuable insight she gained from this year’s Summit. Her response focused on the range of enablers required to increase the pace to first oil.

The latest edition of Frontier Upstream Insights brings leading analysts, NOCs and policy specialists together to explore the factors that separate successful licensing rounds from the rest.

As the global upstream sector looks ahead to the next wave of investment opportunities, ExxonMobil once again joins the World Energies Summit to share its latest developments and future strategy. And there will be plenty to discuss.

It was an energising week in Aberdeen for the EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers) Annual 2026 where we had the opportunity to engage with the global geosciences community under the warm glow of the hospitality of the EAGE team and the city of Aberdeen.

Join the room that Matters!

We’ve been proud to collaborate with EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers) to bring Frontier and the international upstream community together in Aberdeen for a series of discussions, debates and networking opportunities that have challenged perspectives, shared fresh insights and sparked meaningful conversations.

From frontier exploration in Asia Pacific and Africa to deepwater growth in the Americas, licensing opportunities across MENA, basin renewal in Europe and resource expansion in the Caspian and Central Asia, the global competition for upstream investment is intensifying.

As industry leaders from across the globe gather in Aberdeen, Frontier is proud to be sponsoring the Senior Executive Managers (SEM) Programme, hosting a number of exclusive events designed to bring together senior decision-makers from across the upstream energy sector.

Join us on Wednesday, 17th June 2026 for Frontier Upstream Insights, Designing the Perfect Bid Round: What Governments Must Do to Attract Capital in 2026+

The announcement comes at an important time for Canada's offshore sector, just days after C-NLOER launched its 2026 Calls for Bids, offering 16 exploration parcels covering more than 3.68 million hectares across the Eastern and South-Eastern Newfoundland offshore regions.

When the world's leading upstream operators and exploration specialists come together to discuss Africa's future, the insights are impossible to ignore.

When upstream industry leaders share how they are evaluating opportunities, prioritising projects and allocating capital, the whole sector benefits.

Next Week, the Global Upstream Leaders Series is in Aberdeen. Our sponsors have seen first-hand the value that Frontier forums create.

Welcome to The Surge, where we update you on the latest news from the Frontier Energy Network.

Rebalancing the New World Order in an Age of Fragmentation - Where Is Upstream Really Heading?

As I turn my attention globally in preparation for the World Energies Summit promised by team a note on key Licensing Rounds to watch in H2 and as luck would have it, it makes a perfect CEO Brief for the week for me to share with you too.

The 10th Edition of Africa’s Premier Global Upstream Gathering Returns to London from 11 - 13 May 2027.