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>>
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

News From New Mexico: A Cauldron Of Energy Uncertainty
Originally published on Forbes.com on June 10, 2025
Oil and gas production is one ingredient in New Mexico’s cauldron of energy uncertainty. This report points to several others that are simmering and might boil over. Read More>>

Gas, Nuclear, Renewables Battle Over Power For Meta’s New Data Center
Originally published on Forbes.com on May 27, 2025
The future will see many such data centers, driven by AI, constructed in the U.S. To power these new data centers, a roadmap of choices, with pros and cons laid out here, will be constructive. Read More>>

How To Frac A Modern Shale Well And Boost Capital Efficiency
Originally published on Forbes.com on May 21, 2025
Simultaneous fracking of three wells is going strong, driven by a need for capital efficiency that will curb the president’s “drill, baby, drill” mantra. Read More>>

A World Leader in Renewables, Can Australia Save U.S. Rare Earths
Originally published on Forbes.com on May 1, 2025
China has dominated in processing rare earth metals where the U.S. and E.U. have missed out. But Australia with its advanced technologies may be poised to help the U.S. Read More on this blog>>
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Recent Blog Posts
- Astronomers Have Found Life on Another Planet, But What Does This Mean?The puzzle. In our galaxy, the Milky Way, there are 100 billion stars, and more than 100 billion planets spinning around stars. Our sun has eight planets. What are the odds that our planet, earth, is the only one with life? One chance in 100 billion, so it’s very unlikely. To say this another way,… Read more: Astronomers Have Found Life on Another Planet, But What Does This Mean?
- What Good Is God, They Asked? One Answer Is Grace, Came The ReplyI awoke at 3 am a couple nites ago, and couldn’t go back to sleep. I grabbed a book on my nightstand called What Good Is God? by Philip Yancey, written in 2010. I opened at random, and a chapter appeared entitled Grace, Like Water, Flows Downward. I had read it at least twice before… Read more: What Good Is God, They Asked? One Answer Is Grace, Came The Reply
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Other books by Ian
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Latest Comments
Ian…I loved your reporting on scientists discovering signs of life on other planets in our universe. When we observe the…
Really beautiful and inspirational, Ian!
Hi Ian, remember me by any chance? I loved your article – well written and interesting. I hope you are…