• WPC 2024
  • March 18-22, 2024

Mark Eramo

S&P Global Commodity Insights

Global Head of Fuels, Chemicals & Resource Solutions

Mark Eramo currently leads the Fuels, Chemicals & Resource Solutions business line for S&P Global Commodity Insights division. Mark has P&L responsibility and manages a global team of 450 research colleagues, located in all major regions delivering information, insights, and forecasts regarding crude oil, refined products, NGLs and chemical feedstocks, chemicals, agriculture commodities, and freight and commodity shipping analytics. Prior to the merger, Mark served in various roles over the past 20+ years overseeing downstream industry research and business development teams for IHS Markit and predecessor companies. Before entering the consulting and analysis business, Mark worked for more than twelve years in the chemical production industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University, where he also enjoyed playing American football for the Big Red. Mark and his wife have been residents of Houston, Texas, since 1991, where they recently celebrated becoming grandparents. 

Sessions With Mark Eramo

Wednesday, 20 March

  • 08:15am - 10:00am (CST) / 20/mar/2024 01:15 pm - 20/mar/2024 03:00 pm

    Executive Conference Opening Session

    Positioning for the next Upturn as Energy and Materials Transition Accelerate

    8:15 AM: Welcome to WPC 2024 - Mark Eramo, Global Head of Fuels, Chemicals & Resource Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights    
    8:20 AM:  President's Welcome - Saugata Saha, President, S&P Global Commodity Insights  

    Setting the Stage - S&P Global Outlooks - Moderator: Lyn Tattum, Vice President, Head of Events, S&P Global Commodity Insights    
    8:25 AM:  It’s All About The Landing - Paul Gruenwald, Global Chief Economist, S&P Global Ratings

    Following a synchronized rise in policy rates, growth is now unsynchronized across major economies. The U.S. is outperforming whereas in Europe activity is flat. The common macro thread comprises strong labor markets and spending on services, fiscal tailwinds, and lingering core price pressures. Inflation has likely peaked as have policy rates, but central banks are on guard against declaring victory too early. Our higher-for-longer view applies both to policy rates and market interest rates, real and nominal. Caution among developed market central banks is constraining potential rate cuts in emerging markets. The next macro challenge is to "stick the landing." The risks to our soft-landing baseline look balanced. Strong labor markets and fiscal tailwinds are driving the upside, whereas uncertainties about the lagged transmission of cumulative rate hikes since early 2022 are driving the downside.

    8:45AM: From Ideology to Pragmatism: Multidimensional Transition - Atul Arya, Senior Vice President, Energy, S&P Global Commodity Insights 

    9:00 AM: Geopolitical Turmoil and Energy Challenges  - Carlos Pascual, Senior Vice President, Head of Geopolitics & International Affairs, S&P Global Commodity Insights
    9:20 AM: Continental Divide How North America and the Middle East create oil price cycles—and why this matters - Jim Burkhard, Vice President & Head of Research for Oil Markets, Energy and Mobility, S&P Global Commodity Insights
    9:40 AM: Q&A -  Moderator: Lyn Tattum, Vice President, Head of Events, S&P Global Commodity Insights    

  • 11:50am - 12:25pm (CST) / 20/mar/2024 04:50 pm - 20/mar/2024 05:25 pm

    Industry Leaders Fireside chat: Investment strategies in Asia Pacific in the Climate Change Era

    Industry Leaders Fireside chat: Investment strategies in Asia Pacific in the Climate Change Era

    Companies in the energy, refining, and chemicals sectors are reassessing their business models due to the global push for energy and materials transition. One impact on their operating plans is the need for significant capital investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon emissions. Operating companies are challenged with sourcing and balancing the capital requirements necessary to meet the demands of today's growing fuels and chemicals markets, most of which still rely on hydrocarbon sources. Simultaneously, these companies are exploring large-scale pathways in clean energy sources and non-hydrocarbon feedstocks, amidst an uncertain business environment regarding both demand growth and profitability. The energy transition represents a clear opportunity for the chemical industry that provides the essential materials needed to meet sustainability and climate change goals.  Numerous questions remain unanswered, hindering companies' ability to move forward with certainty. Nevertheless, many are forging ahead with strategies and initial investment plans based on current knowledge.

    Moderator: Mark Eramo,Global Head of Fuels, Chemicals & Resource Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights

    Panelists:

    • Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and CEO, Air Products
    • Jean Marc Gilson, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
  • 04:45pm - 05:15pm (CST) / 20/mar/2024 09:45 pm - 20/mar/2024 10:15 pm

    Positioning for the Next Upturn as Energy and Materials Transition Accelerate

    Petrochemical OutlookMark Eramo, Global Head of Fuels, Chemicals & Resource Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights