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This introduction summarizes trends in the existing literature on energy, oil and the environment. We identify three areas in which the dialogue between the fields of energy history and environmental history can be strengthened : 1) the conceptualization of environment(s) ; 2) the networked and ever-changing interplay of multiple environments and energy forms ; 3) and the fluidity of the environmental agendas and intentions of those involved in the business of energy. As you will see from the special issue’s table of contents, and from our summary of the articles below, we have organized the issue into three sections corresponding to these three points. In this introduction we explain how the papers in this issue engage with these three broader themes.