Luke Patey is a research fellow at the Danish Institute for International Studies. His work focuses on the political economy of oil in Sudan and South Sudan and the overseas investments of Chinese and Indian national oil companies. He has written for The Guardian and The Hindu, and is co-editor of Sudan Looks East (James Currey, 2011). He has appeared as a guest on the BBC World Service, Radio France, Voice of America, and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. He has also been a visiting scholar at Peking University (Beijing), the Social Science Research Council (New York), and the Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (Paris).

"As Mr Patey writes, despite worsening returns and growing unease, Sudan remains the 'largest overseas achievement' of the state-owned oil companies of both China and India. [...] Patey's book has pen-portraits of the individuals who spearheaded and maintained exploration programmes in Sudan, ... the new kings of crude [who] may yet have a role in trying to quell the violence in the two Sudans."--The Economist

"Over thirty-five years, Sudan has been a crucible for both American and Asian oil policies: not only have Sudan s war and government been deeply influenced by the politics and finance of oil, but the battles over Sudan's oil production have had a remarkable influence on the global petroleum business. Luke Patey's remarkable book an indispensable and comprehensive account of the encounter between big oil and Sudan includes important new material on China's strategy of internationalizing oil production and India's seminal but under-recognized entry into the global oil business."--Alex de Waal, Executive Director, The World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School, Tufts University

"An intricately researched book ... Patey's mastery of the subject is clear, and this long-form analysis is a welcome addition to a surprisingly empty bookshelf on the subject. ... The New Kings of Crude is written in a personable and character-driven style, making it accessible to the general reader and those with an academic interest. Its greatest strength, however, is that it provides a comprehensive history to the never-ending complexities of Sudanese politics which continue to dictate events to this day."--Think Africa Press

"To grasp the new world of oil, you must plumb China's role in Africa. Only, no one has penetrated it until Luke Patey in his very welcome new book."-Steve LeVine, author, The Oil and the Glory

"Luke Patey has written a thoroughly engaging book on the impact of Africa's longest-running civil wars in Sudan on the global ambitions of Chinese and Indian national oil companies. He lucidly explores how this now divided country shaped and constrained the aspirations of these oil giants, and explains excellently the influence and limitations of Asia's two powerful countries, particularly China, on their national oil companies."-Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director, International Crisis Group

"Rather than describing a passive engagement with external actors that so often is used to define African countries' policies, this book offers a refreshing look at Africa's direct engagement and influence through its civil wars, rebellions, trade, and resources--proving an indispensable read for a clear understanding of the issues surrounding Sudan and South Sudan's current crisis."-- LSE Review of Books

"Presents a solid, exhaustive account of how Sudan, while allowing China?and India to expand their international footprints, proved a coming-of-age for both. The scholarship is obvious, but Patey also tells a cracking tale."--Petroleum Economist

'The New Kings of Crude is a clear-eyed account of the machinations of the newest players in the global oil business... Patey sketches deft portraits of the principal personalities and institutions that shaped the development of the petroleum sector in Sudan, China and India.' -- Business Standard

"Patey's core message is surely a sound one: "China" and "India" are not monolithic actors; even state corporations have their own internal dynamics, and their own interests, and have limited leverage over the sovereign governments with which they deal. The "new kings of crude" rest uneasily on their thrones." -- Justin Willis, African Affairs

"An important, rigorously researched and fully documented book ...[that] will undoubtedly become the standard reference text for those interested in the history and evolution of the oil industry in Sudan and South Sudan and the implications it has for the political economy of those countries... the latter part of the book reads more like a thriller [than] a detailed history book, engaging and absorbing the reader in the complexities it illuminates." -- Pádraig Carmody, China Quarterly

"This is a readable book. ...Patey's core message is surely a sound one: 'China' and 'India' are not monolithic actors; even state corporations have their own internal dynamics, and their own interests, and have limited leverage over the sovereign governments with which they deal. The new "kings of crude" rest uneasily on their thrones." -- Justin Willis, African Affairs