Oil & refined products
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
Detecting market transitions: from backwardation to contango and back
Svetlana Borovkova looks at detecting market transitions between backwardation and contango states using the forward curve. In this first part of a two-part article, she introduces two change indicators, which she applies to oil futures prices. Next…
Seeking a boost for crude
Venezuela’s internal conflict and the intended removal of Saddam Hussein from Iraq have meant both countries are seeking deals with international investors to boost oil production. But are the potential legal problems worth the trouble? By Maria Kielmas
The return of Russian crude
Russia has reclaimed its position as the world’s biggest oil producer for the first time in a decade – but uncertainty is still preventing some foreign oil firms from making the investments the country needs to fulfil its potential. Kevin Foster reports
Pumping up prices
Gasoline prices in the US hit all-time highs in March, and the price is expected to remain high throughout the summer. Kevin Foster looks at the contributing factors
US energy prices: in line for a fall?
A combination of concerns in the second half of January 2003 has boosted US oil and natural gas prices to levels not seen since the winter of 2000/2001. Will the higher prices stick? Logical Information Machines examines cause and effect
Crude oil takes a double hit
Mark Powell of GlobalView Software looks at how crude prices are being affected by the impending war with Iraq and the general strike in Venezuela
Fighting oil volatility
Oil cartel Opec froze its production output level at its last meeting in September. With war in Iraq on the cards, Shifa Rahman reports on the future of oil volatility
Confusion over a barrel
The latest efforts to stem price manipulation have left crude oil market participants wondering which contracts they should be trading and who will lead the pricing? Joel Hanley reports
A towering success
There is more to the Malaysian oil and natural gas giant Petronas than its impressive headquarters. One of Asia’s biggest energy players is finding new ways of branching out, as Joel Hanley discovers
Brent changes promise stability
The recent change in Platts’ definition of Brent crude oil follows much debate about the price assessment of North Sea Brent crude. Software vendor Logical Information Machines takes a historic view in a search for the reasons behind the move