Middle East
Tokenised commodities could help oil the machine
Shifting physical assets onto the blockchain eases collateral frictions, argues crypto expert
Ercot reforms ace winter but Iran conflict and summer pose bigger test
Ercot’s RTC+B reform passes Storm Fern test – now market participants brace for extended Middle East conflict and high-load summer months
Iran strikes a stress test for CCP margin models
CME’s Span2 and Ice’s IRM2 are performing as advertised. The next few days could test their mettle
Energy Risk US Leaders’ Network: tackling volatility
Energy Risk’s inaugural US Leaders’ Network convened in Houston in October to discuss risk management challenges caused by geopolitical upheaval, policy uncertainty and volatility
Why Iran tensions failed to rattle markets
Despite initial fears, traders say risks were signposted and investors had deleveraged after April
Growing sanctions raise compliance risk for energy firms
Ever-increasing sanctions are ramping up risk for energy firms as regulators step up enforcement, writes maritime data expert
Sovereign hedging picks up as developing countries end fuel subsidies
A push to eliminate fuel subsidies across much of Africa, the Middle East and Asia is raising interest in the use of commodity hedging by governments as a way of containing social unrest. But it remains a challenge to get sovereign commodity hedging…
Sean Corrigan talks emerging market risks
Diapason Commodities's Sean Corrigan discusses Chinese hard landings, Mena unrest, the role of Opec, quantitative easing and the likely market reactions to a Greek default
Commodity prices seen as greatest threat to recovery: poll
Rising commodity prices pose the biggest risk to recovery after the 2008 global financial crisis, according to a risk.net poll
Oil and oil products markets buffeted by tsunami
Oil prices have fluctuated in the wake of the political upheavals in the Middle East and the tsunami disaster in Japan. Ned Molloy reports on the latest market developments
Oil options “frenzy” as corporates shift hedges in response to Mideast crisis
The sharp increase in oil price volatility resulting from political upheaval in Libya and the Middle East has pushed the volume of oil options traded to an all-time high. Ned Molloy reports
Oil to reach over $150/bbl in 12-18 months
A prominent hedge fund manager says oil price will break through historic highs within the next 12-18 months
Reshaping Russia and China’s energy alliance
The growing strategic energy alliance between Russia and China could change global energy market dynamics. Alex Davis examines the possibilities, including an end to oil-indexed gas pricing
CME’s CCP to clear Middle East products and reduce 'black swans'
Clearport courts emerging market derivative exchange products in a bid to reduce systemic risk in commodity markets
Q&A – Standard Chartered Bank’s Afaq Khan
Commodities derivatives are used in the West for speculative trading as well as a hedging method to cover commercial risk. Lianna Brinded looks at sharia-compliant products and their role in energy and commodity risk management
A turning point for crude oil indexes
In the year since major producers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait adopted the Argus sour crude index (ASCI) as a pricing benchmark for their imports into the US, Alex Davis examines the impact the new benchmark has had on global oil pricing mechanisms
Turkey power market set for expansion
Disputes with Russia have prompted Turkey to strive for energy independence, and its government has fast-tracked the liberalisation of its power markets, but there is still a long way to go before Turkey can step up and compete with other liquid European…
Masdar and E.on create carbon trading venture
Abu Dhabi-based renewables company Masdar has joined forces with German utility E.on to form E.on Masdar Integrated Carbon (EMIC), a company focused on developing carbon emission reduction projects.