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Cambridge Energy Research Associates, also known as CERA, is a think tank that explores issues relating to all aspects of energy, including electric power, natural gas, and oil. The company was founded in 1983 by Pulitzer Prize winning author Daniel Yergin, Joseph Stanislaw and James Rosenfield. Composed of experts from many fields within the energy industry, CERA was acquired by IHS Energy in 2004.

Some of the company's largest clients include international energy companies, governments, utilities, and financial institutions. Many of them attend CERAWeek, the company's annual conference held in Houston, Texas. Daily programs usually revolve around the topics of oil, natural gas and power.

Past keynote speeches have been given by the energy secretaries and ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Mexico, Norway, and the United States. Other notable speakers have included former US Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin, Senator Gary Hart; US Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans; and Rilwanu Lukman, Secretary General of OPEC.

As the controversy over Peak Oil intensified in 2006, CERA found itself on the optimistic side of predictions, forecasting that a peak would not occur before 2020, and this would not be a "peak" but rather an undulating plateau. [1] This opinion has been met with criticism by those who believe a peak has already occurred or is imminent. Though conclusive evidence of an early peak will only be understood in the rearview mirror (possibly five or more years after the event), many on the pessimistic side of the debate feel that Yergin has sold his soul to big oil.

• Daniel Yergin, Chairman
• James Lang, Chief Operating Officer

• Cambridge Energy Research Associates home page
• CERAWeek: CERA's Annual Executive Conference
• CERA News, Events and Reports

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