Oil & refined products
Nymex and Shanghai Futures Exchange look to work together
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential areas of cooperation which they say could mutually benefit the memberships of both exchanges.
Putin’s endgame
The geopolitical premium on oil prices is rising as Russia pursues its ‘oligarchs’. Catherine Lacoursiere reports on the wider effects of Russian oil giant Yukos’ collapse
Dealings in diesel
In the latest in a series of articles in which Energy Risk profiles energy users’ risk management and hedging strategies, Joe Marsh talks to US rail company Amtrakabout how it deals with its fuel exposures
At ease with ethanol
Central Illinois Energy, a US farming co-op, is in the process of building anethanol plant. And it has already started to think about hedging, reflectingthe growing sophistication of the US ethanol market. PaulLyon reports
IPE hires Fredrik Voss
Fredrik Voss, one-time chief executive of the UK power Exchange, is to join the London-based International Petroleum Exchange (IPE), as director of market development.
Broker Prebon hires Innogy coal trader
London-based broker Prebon may have failed in its bid to lure three coal traders from fellow broker Icap, but it is continuing to build a coal team. In mid-May, Sharon Millar, who previously traded paper and physical coal at UK utility RWE Innogy, joined…
The cost of optimism
Petroleum engineers and financial regulators have never spoken the same language,as the recent Royal Dutch/Shell debacle has shown. And this has led to confusionover state oil reserves. By Maria Kielmas
Statoil and Alex Kvaerner swap chief executives
Helge Lund has joined Norwegian energy company Statoil as chief executive, replacing acting CEO Inge Hansen. Hansen replaces Lund as CEO of one of three divisions of newly restructured Norwegian industrial group Aker Kvaerner.
Innovation of the year & Exchange of the year
Winner: Nymex
House of the year – oil products
Winner: Koch Supply & Trading
House of the year – crude oil
Winner: Société Générale
Flying high
The US airline industry is struggling due to high jet fuel prices. Accordingly, one trade association is urging the Bush administration to change its oil purchasing strategy. By Paul Lyon
In pursuit of the eurobarrel
The markets say they do not want oil prices in euros. But denominating internationalcrude prices in euros is a political ambition the European Union seems determinedto pursue – starting with Russia. MariaKielmas reports
Life without MTBE
The changeover from the use of MTBE as a gasoline blending component, to ethanol,in New York State and Connecticut on January 1, 2004 is likely to lead to pricevolatility in the oil market and make risk management using the Nymex Unleadedcontract far…
Russian roulette
European and US oil companies are tipped to be big investors in Russia’s oil market. But while rewards could be great, any decision to invest in thecountry will be fraught with difficulties. Paul Lyon reports
Lands of confusion
Oil production uncertainties in Iraq and political doubts in Russia and Venezuelaare keeping crude prices well above historical averages. MariaKielmas reports
Opec keeps a tight grip
The latest production quota cut by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has forced prices up, but will crude oil producers in Europe and elsewhere co-operate to help them stay up? EricFishhaut examines the situation
Upstream sector gets flexible
The oil exploration and production sector is transforming its thinking and trying to become more flexible by using portfolio management models, finds Maria Kielmas
Trading crude blows
Banks and oil majors alike are building up their oil derivatives operations, vying to attract the same corporate client base. But the oil companies do notseem unduly concerned about the competition, finds Paul Lyon
Refining systems for oil trading
The increasing complexity of the crude oil business – on both the physical and financial side – means companies in the sector need fast-changingand flexible software to manage their operations. CliveDavidson reports
Oil prices cause ripples in chemicals market
The chemicals market has been hit by the effects of high oil prices. Higher feedstock prices have brought higher end-product prices. Fame Information Services looks at styrene prices and the soaring costs of feedstocks, particularly in the ethylene market