The Power of Market Intelligence: 25 Years of EIC DataStream

Our host, Stuart Broadley, is joined by Neil Golding, EIC’s Director of Market Intelligence, and Bob Gear, Head of Information Systems, for a fascinating look at the evolution of market intelligence and the story behind one of the energy industry’s most trusted data platforms: EIC DataStream.

Marking twenty-five years since the launch of the original projects database, the conversation traces the journey from printed reports and manual data collection to today’s globally integrated market intelligence ecosystem covering more than 17,000 projects and 50,000 operational assets across the energy sector.

Neil and Bob reflect on the early days of digitisation, the ambitious internal projects that shaped DataStream’s evolution, and the lessons learned from scaling a global data platform. From “Project Crossbow” and the infamous “God Plan” to the rise of APIs, agile development, and AI-assisted analytics, the episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on how technology, people, and persistence transformed EIC’s information services into a core strategic tool for the global energy supply chain.

The discussion also explores the growing importance of accurate, forward-looking market intelligence in a volatile energy landscape. From tracking final investment decisions across oil, gas, renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture to supporting government policy and industry advocacy, Stuart, Neil, and Bob examine how data is shaping investment decisions, supply chain strategy, and the future direction of the energy transition.

At the heart of the episode is a broader reflection on trust, innovation, and the role of high-quality intelligence in helping companies navigate one of the most complex industrial transformations in modern history.