News
Iraq’s oil output targets 'impossible'
The Iraqi government’s stated intention to increase oil capacity from 2.5 to 10-12 million barrels per day (b/d) over the next decade is impossible and actual production will fall far short of official stated targets, a panel of market experts has…
UNFCCC official: public and private sectors must work together on CDMs
The relationship between the public and private sector needs to be strengthened at a quicker pace to ensure the future of project-based mechanisms such as clean development mechanism (CDM) and joint implementation (JI) projects, says a United Nations…
ETF Securities launches commodity index tracker fund
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and currency specialist ETF Securities has launched the first ETF to track the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Three-Month Forward Index (DJ-UBSCI F3(SM)), following growing investor demand for diversified commodity related products.
Changes to UK interruptible gas contracts could cause supply outages in 2011
UK National Grid’s decision in January to tell large users on interruptible contracts to stop using gas is likely to be taken a stage further next time there is a cold snap, and could lead to the closure of thermal plants, warns a top official at the…
S&P to launch commodity sub-indexes amid US regulation fears
Ratings agency and financial research firm Standard & Poor’s (S&P) is to roll out two commodity-related sub-indexes that focus only on European and Asian contracts in response to fears the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will make further…
Recycled CER scandal could push carbon trading over the counter
The latest scandal to hit the carbon markets, involving the trading of recycled Certified Emission Reduction units (CERs), could damage the credibility of carbon credits and push volumes off exchanges and onto the over-the-counter markets, say experts.
Power market must act on clearing to avoid mandatory limits, says EEX CEO
Individual participants in the European power markets need to be proactive on clearing if they are to avoid enforced mandatory limits, according to chief executive officer of the European Energy Exchange (EEX) Hans-Bernd Menzel.
Market cautious on Brazil’s 2010 oil bloc auction
News that Brazil is looking to auction more oil and gas blocs this year has met with a lukewarm reception from the oil markets as they await more clarity on the timing, production estimates and pending oil regulations, say analysts.
UK to focus on smart grids and nuclear power
Big investments into UK smart grids, offshore wind farms under the Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) scheme and nuclear power are on the agenda for both the Labour and Conservative parties in the run-up to the UK elections, as the country looks to…
Energy Risk: What's coming next?
Energy Risk brings you a snapshot of what's moving and shaking the markets with a special look at the continuing impact of the financial crisis on utilities.
US carbon experts see significant impetus for federal cap-and-trade
Experts remain optimistic about federal cap-and-trade legislation in the US, but believe regional schemes can step into the breach if a bill is not passed by the US Congress.
BP and Devon team up to develop oil sands play
BP and Devon Energy have entered into a joint venture that will use the latter’s in-situ production expertise to develop BP’s Kirby oil sands leases in Alberta, Canada.
IEA revises China oil outlook for 2010
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised its global oil demand forecast for the second time this year, following a double digit upwards surge in China’s year-on-year apparent oil demand in January.
Forestry project launched under new offset protocol
Project developer Finite Carbon has announced details of a new Improved Forest Management (IFM) project in Tennessee that could generate several hundred thousand of carbon offsets over the next 100 years.
CME launches crude palm oil contract
A dollar-denominated, cash-settled crude palm oil futures contract will begin trading on CME Globex on May 23, 2010 under a partnership between CME Group and Bursa Malaysia.
Russia plans pipeline to speed oil feed to China
Russia will start construction on a $1.34 billion oil pipeline link this week, in order to speed up its delivery of crude supplies to China.
CFTC and Ferc continue turf war over transmission rights
Wholesale electricity market participants yesterday called for an exemption for energy end-users from legislation that could see the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) increase its jurisdictional powers over the sector.
EC’s Nabucco pipeline payout a small step in right direction
The European Commission’s announcement of a €200 million payout to the Nabucco pipeline has been welcomed by European utilities, but some experts point out it is only a tiny fraction of the estimated total cost of €7.9 billion.
Carbon traders foresee lacklustre market in 2010
Optimism in the carbon market has been curbed by the disappointing results of the Copenhagen climate change meeting in December 2009 and traders now expect muted market activity in 2010.
US coal states rally against EPA’s greenhouse gases plan
US senator John Rockefeller of West Virginia introduced legislation today to suspend potential Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources for two years.
Trading positions – March 2010
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Tradition Re's Dutch auction hedges 2010 hurricane risk
Tradition Re, the US reinsurance division of interdealer broker Tradition, has completed a Dutch auction on behalf of a reinsurer aiming to hedge risk during the 2010 hurricane season in Florida.
UN seeks alternatives to CDM
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects will not ultimately deliver, so the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) CDM Executive Board is looking at alternative mechanisms to implement beyond 2012, said Martin Hession, who is…
Yvo de Boer: Cop 16 won’t produce binding agreement
Countries such as China and India will not enter a legally binding agreement at the next United Nations Climate Change conference (Cop16) in Cancun, Mexico at the end of 2010, predicts Yvo de Boer, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework…