The situation of the international energy environment in 2007 was very similar to that of the previous year, which was caught up in a cycle marked by years of oil crisis, high prices and great volatility. The main difference was perhaps that the volatility of the crude price occurred within an upward movement, due to the fact the price remained strong (and higher than in 2006) during almost all of the year.

The leading issues of 2006 were also the main news during the year: energy diversification, global warming, the progress of renewable energies, CO₂ sequestration and doubts about nuclear energy.

As in previous years (and in general whenever there is tension when demand exceeds supply), the exception was the crude market, whose speculative presence nearly always causes upset.

The LNG price in the international market continued towards a degree of convergence of the three traditional importing markets (Japan, Europe and the USA). This tendency began in the middle of the present decade. This market was also characterised by stagnation after a period of increase which began in 2005. The reasons for this situation lie in the repair of the damage caused by the tornados to the production infrastructures in the Gulf of Mexico, and slack demand (due to mild weather in the northern hemisphere, where most of the LNG markets are situated).

However, the coal price carried on upwards in 2007, following a path begun in 2004. This is in response to the general increase in coal consumption, which is recording the highest rates among the hydrocarbons. Among the reasons for this growth are its increased use in electricity generation (instead of oil derivatives and natural gas due to the increased price of both during recent years).