Bonus: A US shale pioneer on the Middle East war

18 April 2026 · 16m

FT News Briefing

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Show notes

Global oil markets have faced historic disruption since the Iran war began in February. The FT’s Jamie Smyth speaks with shale pioneer Scott Sheffield and his son Bryan about energy security and why the crisis could reshape the future for oil and gas.

Correction April 23, 2026: While Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, stressed the importance of restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The API would like to clarify that the group does not have an opinion on the US government’s deployment of American troops to Iran.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump administration urges US oil bosses to increase drilling

Fracking pioneers look overseas as US shale revolution goes global

‘As big as Saudi Arabia’: the Permian oilman who sold Pioneer to Exxon

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

This episode was hosted and produced by Michela Tindera. It was edited by Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallman. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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