Frequently asked questions
What readers ask us.
If your question is not here, write to us — we answer personally.
What is PetroBriefing?
PetroBriefing publishes two subscription intelligence briefings on geopolitics — Geostrategic Watch and Energy Geopolitics — delivered by email in English and French. Each issue combines a dense command dashboard readable in five to ten minutes with a longer strategic analysis. It is published by Petrobriefing LLC, a New Mexico company, United States of America, and carries no advertising.
How often is the briefing published?
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday. Each issue reaches your inbox before 07:00 CET, so it is on your desk before European markets open.
What is the difference between Geostrategic Watch and Energy Geopolitics?
Geostrategic Watch covers major power dynamics, regional instability and strategic signalling — the shifts that reorder alliances. Energy Geopolitics deals mainly with oil and gas, and at times with critical minerals: sanctions dynamics, maritime chokepoint analysis and supply disruption scenarios. Both follow the same editorial method and the same schedule. You may subscribe to either or to both.
How much does a subscription cost?
Geostrategic Watch starts at $33 a month for an individual; Energy Geopolitics at $42 a month. Team pricing runs to $330 and $420 a month respectively for organisations of more than twenty people. Annual billing costs ten months instead of twelve — two months free, a 17% saving.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The trial runs 11 days and includes three complete briefings — the full product, not a sample. You may cancel at any time during the trial.
Who is this briefing written for?
Energy market analysts, risk managers, strategy directors, government and diplomatic desks, defence and security professionals, infrastructure investors, geopolitical researchers and corporate intelligence units. In short: professionals whose decisions carry consequences and who cannot afford to work from headlines.
How is the risk table built?
Each issue carries five risks. Each is a binary event with a numerical threshold, a dated deadline and a named resolution source — for example, zero Strait of Hormuz transits over five consecutive days before a stated date, as reported by a named tracking service. Probabilities use the full 5 to 95 percent scale. The following issue settles each risk as realised, not realised, or carried forward with a revised probability, and publishes the running tally.
Do you publish whether your forecasts were right?
Yes, in every issue. The risk table opens with a balance of previous forecasts: how many risks were tracked, how many were realised, how many were not. We consider this the difference between analysis and commentary.
Is this financial or investment advice?
No. PetroBriefing is editorial and informational: it is not a trading tool but an instrument of in-depth geopolitical analysis. It does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice and does not recommend positions. Subscribers make their own decisions.
What sources do you use?
Government and regulatory publications, energy agency and industry data, market and shipping intelligence, think-tank research and the published work of recognised specialists. Market figures carry their observation date, and weekend issues state when a price is a Friday close rather than a live quote. Unattributed figures are not published.
Who writes the briefing?
PetroBriefing is written or co-written and supervised by James J. Bötkös, editor-in-chief, an expert and adviser in geopolitics. He sets the editorial angle of each issue, directs the analysis and signs it at the foot of every edition.
In which languages is the briefing available?
English and French. Both editions are produced from the same analytical work, each written natively in its own language.
How do I cancel?
From your account settings, at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, and you keep access until then.
Can my whole team read it?
Yes. Pricing tiers are sized by organisation: individual, small business of one to nine people, medium enterprise of ten to twenty, and large enterprise above twenty.