Author, Scientist, Petroleum Engineer, Speaker, Forbes.com Contributor.
Ian obtained his Ph.D. in physics from Adelaide University, Australia. He has consulted all over the world. Learn more>>
5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer
For the full interview click on the video link.
Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started writing?
Can you share the most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career?
New Book Release
I’ve just released a new book called How Oil and Gas Companies are Pivoting Toward Climate Change published by Cambridge Scholars in the UK.
Intended for experts and lay readers, the book outlines efforts by oil and gas companies to clean up their greenhouse gas emissions while addressing the transition from fossil energies to renewable energies like wind and solar.
How Oil and Gas Companies are Pivoting Toward Climate Change is based on a selection from almost 150 articles I’ve published with Forbes.com over the last three years. This book takes an honest look at the fast-charging energy transition from the unique perspective of a solar space scientist turned oilfield engineer.
How far are global leaders such as BP, Occidental, and ExxonMobil pivoting toward climate change?
To see the list of Chapters, click here.
Is the urgency about climate change as dire as climate aficionados are saying? Should a small oil company owner sell now before the demand for oil drops?” More on this book>>
To buy this book, Click here and enter the code Promo25 for a 25% discount.
To read the press release click here.
Reviews
“A very well written book, with good spread of chapters, well sourced, a much needed documentation which describes a key topic of our times in down to earth (accesible to all regardless their technical background) manner.” ~ Ion Ispas, Ph.D., Associate Professor, George P. Livermore Chair, Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University
“Dr. Palmer presents a balanced and objective view of an industry which receives a great deal of criticism these days, and yet provides a commodity without which our modern society cannot currently function. He tells the reader how we got to this point of energy dependence and how even the large oil companies are investing resources in alternative sources of energy such as hydrogen, ammonia, solar and wind energy among others. It is clear that change is coming in energy production and consumption. Dr. Palmer sets out a clear vision of what is being done and what needs to be done to make the eventual transition from fossil fuel to renewables. It is a book that will serve the oil and gas industry insider as well as the person on the street who is concerned about getting to work, and the health of the planet.” ~ Randy Bunn, Attorney, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“This book is a great insight on the importance of our planet’s energy future and the direction of mankind!” ~ Cliff Taylor, an oilman from Oklahoma.
“There is a lot of information, well-sourced, and the key takeaways serve as solid reinforcement for the reader“. ~ Bill Strobel, President, Zeeospheres Ceramics LLC.
Republished from Forbes.com

Eighteen Data-Based Facts To Weigh In On U.S. Policy For AI Power
Originally published on March 19, 2025 on Forbes.com
Power for AI data centers from gas turbines or green energy? 18 facts are compiled to instruct and guide the new strategy for U.S. energy. Read More on this blog>>

BP Resets To Oil, Backslides On Renewables: What Can We Learn Here
Originally published on Forbes.com on March 11, 2025
Short-term profits versus long-term climate risk: the competition becomes more intense for BP and other oil and gas companies. Read More>>

Energy Secretary Visits New Mexico, Shares Plan For U.S. Energy Future
Originally published on Forbes.com on February 27, 2025
What technologies have been established should be accelerated to provide the electrical power surge needed for AI data centers. Read More>>

A Serious Earthquake In The Drill Baby Drill Oilfields Of Texas
Originally published on Forbes.com on February 20, 2025
Pipeline failures, and the inability of the RRC restrictions to stop M5 earthquakes, are troubling as earthquakes up to M6 might be a significant threat to pipelines and population. Read More>>
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Recent Blog Posts
- About Loneliness, Colon Cancer, And Woolly MammothsThis newsletter is a composite of three things that caught my attention last week:• Being thankful can reduce loneliness.• Regular exercise can help prevent colon cancer.• Can DNA engineering create a woolly mammoth? Being thankful can reduce loneliness. Oral Roberts once said loneliness was the main problem he encountered in his far-reaching ministry. New research… Read more: About Loneliness, Colon Cancer, And Woolly Mammoths
- 5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author Or Writer (Or Thinker)I was interviewed recently by Kristin Marquet of Authority Magazine on this topic. It occurred to me that the original topic about success as an author or writer, could also be about success as a thinker. Whatever you have to think about, or write about, some of the ideas below may help you. Right brain… Read more: 5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author Or Writer (Or Thinker)
- The Expansion of the Universe, Dark Energy, and GodThe structure of the universe, with billions of galaxies, has been figured out only in the last 100 years. In the US, Edwin Hubble in 1929 (the same name as in the Hubble Telescope) measured the speed of galaxies and found that all the galaxies were moving apart from each other — the universe was… Read more: The Expansion of the Universe, Dark Energy, and God
- Where the Red Fern Grows is a Mystery, but it’s in Oklahoma near an Enchanting WaterfallA small creek bubbles along in Oklahoma south of Jay, a small town in the eastern part of the state, and then disappears over a small ledge. And the state park we were in, called Natural Falls State Park, was also small. So, everything seemed small and unimposing in this area. Except for two things.… Read more: Where the Red Fern Grows is a Mystery, but it’s in Oklahoma near an Enchanting Waterfall
- Do you Struggle with LonelinessLoneliness in the USA.In the 1970s, Oral Roberts, the evangelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, said loneliness was the biggest problem he had encountered on his many journeys across the US, and the world. In earlier years Oral Roberts traveled with a tent ministry when he preached and prayed healing for long lines of people. Fifty years… Read more: Do you Struggle with Loneliness
Other books by Ian
Click on the cover to learn more and purchase the books
Latest Comments
Ian… I loved your blog about the universe, dark energy and the new Euclid telescope. I will try to keep…
Ian… I very much enjoyed reading your story about the Red Fern. Also, I look forward to purchasing your latest…
Thanks Ian. Hope to see you at Full Gospel. We’re meeting Saturday, April 26 at Rudy’s BBQ at 9:00 a.m.…