News
Report urges boosting Ercot price cap, restructuring Texas power market
A report commissioned by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) has recommended that the state increase its maximum peak power price in order to spur investment in new generation capacity and lower the risk of blackouts
Trading positions – June 2012
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Boultwood steps down as CRO of Constellation Energy
Move follows merger with Exelon Corporation. Risk management at the combined company will now be run by Exelon CRO, Joseph Glace
Seaway pipeline reversal: beginning of the end for negative WTI-Brent spread?
Analyst forecasts of how the reversal of the Seaway pipeline will affect the West Texas Intermediate-Brent spread vary widely. Jay Maroo reports
Power and utilities M&A declines in volume but grows in value: Ernst & Young
Slow global economic recovery led to weak M&A activity in the global power and utilities sector in the first quarter of 2012, but deal value increased almost 20% from the previous quarter
Energy Risk USA: Storms, warm winter, fuel interest in weather derivatives
The extreme weather that hit North America recently has spurred interest in tools designed to hedge weather risk, according to participants speaking at Energy Risk USA
Energy Risk USA: End-user exception to clearing impractical experts warn
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s proposed rule on the end-user exception to clearing is unworkable for many energy firms that use swaps for hedging say market experts
Energy Risk USA: CFTC to move quickly on swap definition – Berkovitz
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is very close to finalising its long-awaited definition of a swap, says CFTC general counsel Dan Berkovitz
Research report outlines scope for Saarc power trading
Power trading across the Indian subcontinent is set to grow in size and interconnectivity, according to a GBI Research report
CFTC Dodd-Frank rule-making to drag on until fourth quarter, says O’Malia
CFTC commissioner raises doubt over time line for Dodd-Frank Act – despite a proposed five-month delay
Advert raises questions about US Airways' stance on fuel hedging
US Airways, which has stood out from the rest of the airline industry in recent years because of its refusal to hedge fuel costs, wants to hire someone to run a fuel hedging programme. The airline denies that it is reversing its stance on fuel hedging,…
Fragmentation hindering Canada’s electricity market
Poor integration and lack of political collaboration are preventing the Canadian electricity markets from achieving full efficiency, Gillian Carr reports
Argentina’s YPF move raises political risk fears
Argentina’s expropriation of Repsol’s stake in YPF and Brazil’s prosecution of Chevron highlight the risks facing foreign energy companies in Latin America. Alexander Osipovich reports
Trading positions – Energy Risk May 2012
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Analysts still sceptical of Delta Air Lines refinery acquisition
This week, Delta Air Lines confirmed rumours that it was purchasing a refinery on the US east coast, a first-of-its-kind transaction. As details of the deal have emerged, some observers have warmed up to the idea that Delta can better manage its fuel…
Risk management strategy low priority for many European energy buyers: survey
Most respondents think oil prices will rise – but few have risk management policies in place to cope with it
US energy firms relieved about CFTC’s ‘swap dealer’ definition; public utilities concerned
Many US energy companies breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday after the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) voted to narrow the definition of a 'swap dealer'. In a long-awaited decision, the agency dramatically raised the threshold for how…
White House seeks tools to fight ‘excessive’ oil speculation
On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama launched a new initiative aimed at curbing speculation in energy markets, arguing that it would help ease the pain of high gasoline prices. He urged Congress to give the US Commodities Futures Trading Commission …
Michael Cosgrove to leave GFI Group
GFI Group has announced the departure of energy and commodities broking veteran Michael Cosgrove
Possible Delta Air Lines refinery acquisition raises eyebrows
Analysts have been stunned by reports that Delta Air Lines is considering the purchase of an idled ConocoPhillips refinery on the US east coast. The unprecedented deal would provide Delta with an in-house source of jet fuel, but the problems inherent in…
Trading positions - April 2012
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
EC data reinforces oversupply in carbon market
According to data published by the European Commission, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme was oversupplied with allowances in 2011
Increasing pessimism over European carbon market: survey
Participants are becoming increasingly bearish in their outlook for the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme according to this year's Point Carbon survey
Corporate hedging strategies affected by banking regulations: survey
Despite ‘end-user’ exemptions, strengthened banking regulations are likely to impact energy corporates due to their reliance on banks and other financial firms to manage hedging programmes, says a survey by Greenwich Associates