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Industry

Energy: Oil and gas

Access forward-thinking insurance and risk management solutions for upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas companies in the energy sector.

At Willis, a WTW business, our people have been committed to outstanding client service since 1828. Drawing on leading analytical and technology capabilities, our dedicated teams of client-centric specialists provide end-to-end insurance broking and risk management advice. With deep specialty insurance broking expertise, we go beyond the insurance transaction to provide a range of risk management solutions that meet clients’ unique needs.

Our teams work seamlessly to deliver a combination of global expertise with local knowledge and experience. We combine insights, data, analytics and technology solutions to inform and efficiently manage both the insurance transaction and wider commercial risk management.

Macroeconomic and regulatory challenges

The oil and gas industry faces significant macroeconomic and regulatory challenges. Rapidly oscillating trade conflicts have put downward pressure on commodity prices. Regulatory challenges include navigating complex federal and state regulations and the potential impact of reciprocal tariffs on materials and supplies. The need to adapt to a changing product slate, such as low-carbon fuels and the volatility in the pricing of core products and feedstock, creates significant operational and financial challenges.

Impact of trade conflicts, political pressures and energy transition

Trade conflicts have exacerbated macroeconomic weakness, putting pressure on commodity prices, while demands for low energy prices make growth challenging. Longer-term trends in the energy transition and fading environmental, social and governance initiatives have impacted the flow of new capital into the energy space over the past five years.

About the WTW natural resources industry vertical in North America

If you’re wondering what industry excellence means for our natural resources, chemical and environmental services clients, watch this animation to find out more.

Key risk factors

  1. Service contractors
    • Limited excess liability capacity due to market exits or reduced carrier appetite
    • Rising auto-liability costs
    • High judgments in wrongful death and burn claims
  2. Upstream operators
    • Narrowing well-spacing influences risk of well control and casualty
    • Concerns over replacement-cost property valuations due to claim inflation
    • Critical business interruption and choke-point analysis in a lower cash flow, higher interest rate environment
  3. Midstream and downstream operators
    • Skyrocketing contractor losses
    • Continued rising auto-liability costs
    • Business interruption sensitivity and volatility
    • Aging assets and tight operating margins, lead to costly maintenance challenges
    • Tightening emissions standards and regulatory environment
    • Volatility in the pricing of core products and feedstock
    • Geopolitical risk and infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly for liquefied natural gas) operators

Downstream energy

Downstream energy leaders are battling conflicting priorities, including:

  • Changing global demand for refined petroleum products
  • Supply chain volatility
  • Growing regulatory and sustainability constraints
  • Increasing investment in cleaner technologies

These downstream energy risk exposures are testing the insurance market’s risk capacity. The network of assets is expanding into new territories, contributing to an uptick in third-party risks across interconnected risk profiles.

Amid changing risks, building a smarter risk management strategy can help downstream oil and gas companies make strides toward a sustainable future.

Specialized risk management solutions

We offer a deeply industry-focused approach with broker resources tailored to specific client needs. Our team includes in-house claims experts, loss control engineers and a contract professional for non-legal, risk management advice. We use proprietary loss data and industry-leading analytics to assist clients in making informed risk transfer decisions. We conduct detailed on-site assessments to identify vulnerabilities in process safety, asset integrity and turnaround planning. Tools like the Willis Energy Loss Database (WELD) and robust natural catastrophe modeling enable us to better understand and quantify your risk.

We’re committed to providing comprehensive risk management solutions that help our clients navigate the complex and dynamic landscape of the oil and gas industry.

Disclaimer

WTW hopes you found the general information provided here informative and helpful. The information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own legal advisors. In the event you would like more information regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. In North America, WTW offers insurance products through licensed entities, including Willis Towers Watson Northeast, Inc. (in the United States) and Willis Canada Inc. (in Canada).

FEATURED REPORT

Global Clean Energy Survey 2025 Report

Find out about the pressures and priorities shared by 450 natural resources companies implementing their clean energy transition strategies

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