Gas/LNG
LNG may not fix gas supply problem
Despite its long-term promise, liquified natural gas (LNG) will only have a minimal impact on a significant US gas storage shortfall in the winter of 2003/2004, says Energy Security Analysis Inc (Esai), a Boston-based research firm.
David Mooney
With 34 trading offices active in 40 countries, Swiss commodity trading house Trafigura is no small concern. But while the firm – perhaps best known for its oil, petroleum products and metals trading activities – employs some 600 energy traders worldwide…
Applying modern portfolio theory to optimal gas purchasing
Yijun Du and Xiaorui Hu present a general framework for applying modern portfolio theory to optimal natural gas procurements. They show that successful natural gas procurement involves determining the optimal allocation between fixed-price and floating…
A formula for high prices
The US chemical industry is crying foul over spiralling natural gas prices, but there are measures they can take to protect themselves, as Kevin Foster discovers
Judicial stalemate
German natural gas market liberalisation is stalled between the courts and a corporatist business culture, finds Maria Kielmas
US gas market challenges
A new report from the investigative office of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finds that competitive natural gas markets in the US are robust, but warns of challenges ahead. Kevin Foster reports
A decision model for selling park and loan services
The park and loan model is useful for gas storages and pipelines. The concept can be applied to many ‘when to sell’-type decisions. Here, Huagang ‘Hugh’ Li considers selling park and loan services as a financial and statistical decision on revenue and…
In search of transparency
The open secret of index price manipulation in the natural gas sector is officially out, and the industry is scrambling to reform the system. Kevin Foster reports
Between Kyoto and the caribou
Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change is unlikely to have an effect on the burgeoning Canadian oil and gas sector, as Maria Kielmas discovers
Struggling for integration
Political issues are stalling Mexico’s energy sector reform just as the country is poised to become a major natural gas importer, reports Maria Kielmas
Trading natural gas futures with weatherfutures at the CME
Craig Jimenez and Mirant’s Vishu Kulkarni discuss how the burgeoning relationship between the natural gas futures market and the weather futures market is providing opportunities for traders, hedgers and speculators alike
End of an era for GdF
Gaz de France is certain to lose its monopoly position – without it, what strategy can the gas giant adopt in a liberalised European market? Mickael Laurans reports
Gas storage and power prices: inextricably linked
While much has been made of the effect of natural gas storage on gas prices, very little thought has been given to its impact on the price of electricity. John Hopper, president of Falcon Gas Storage Company, analyses the situation
Looking to the long term
After years of public debate, the European Commission, energy companies and governments of gas-producing countries all seem to agree that long-term gas contracts are here to stay. So why is it still such a big issue, asks Maria Kielmas
LNG: handling flexibility risk
Even though the euphoria about the global liquefied natural gas market has dissipated, experts still forecast significant long-term growth. But in a buyer’s market the supplier has to understand the new risks. Maria Kielmas reports
How to gain from risk premia
Brett Humphreys examines historic data for the natural gas market and finds smart traders could make money from hidden risk premia
Let’s get physical
Credit Lyonnais Rouse Derivatives is a commodity trader moving into natural gas trading. And not just on the financial side, as Joel Hanley discovers
Natural gas storage: a market driver changes horses
Given the importance of natural gas storage figures to energy market traders and analysts, a change in the provider and timing of the data release is an event of some significance. Software provider Logical Information Machines reports
Storing up the gains?
Natural gas prices are climbing again, and energy companies are reacting by putting in place new hedges, as Kevin Foster discovers
A smooth handover?
A change in the way weekly natural gas storage figures are reported is proceeding fairly smoothly – but it may still cause price swings, as Kevin Foster discovers