Feature
NWE power market coupling struck by delays
The European Union’s biggest power market coupling project to date has been beset by delays and will not now be be completed before the end of 2013. What is behind the setbacks and what do they mean for continuing efforts to forge a pan-European…
TNK-BP saga raises questions about BP's handling of political risk
Following a series of bitter spats with its Russian partners, oil major BP exited its Moscow-based joint venture, TNK-BP, in March. Market participants say the oil major’s experience holds lessons for other firms attempting to grapple with political risk…
CFTC legal counsel to depart
Hetco hires top Tudor quant; Koch swipes LNG expert from BNP; Marex Spectron hires in Asia; DME recruits products and services head; RBC hires metals head
NGL hedging takes off amid shale gas boom
US production of natural gas liquids (NGLs) has surged in recent years, causing NGL derivatives trading to expand as market participants hedge more of their output. But the market for NGL risk management products remains a work in progress, finds…
Asian refinery activity boosts oil derivatives trading
The growing market clout of refiners in Asia is giving the region a healthy boost in trading activity for derivatives linked to oil and other refined products. With local refining capacity set to grow, the trend looks likely to continue – a development…
Collateral and commodity market dynamics in the new normal
Collateral quality and depth are playing an increasingly important role in a market characterised by systemic risks and high correlations among asset classes, including commodities. That is a trend that should concern energy risk managers, argues Stephen…
EU ETS faces back-loading test
Dismal prices in the European Union Emissions Trading System are causing interest in the world’s largest emissions market to wither away. While the European Commission has come up with a plan to put it on life support, analysts say there is a 50:50…
Q&A: Alberto Pototschnig, Acer
Alberto Pototschnig was appointed as the inaugural director of the Ljubljana-based Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators in 2010. In an exclusive interview, he speaks to Mark Pengelly about market manipulation, financial regulation and the…
Sommers to leave CFTC
Deutsche Bank appoints commodity co-heads; top analyst leaves Morgan Stanley; Icap Energy appoints in Singapore; Barclays loses energy research head; Huntington Bank launches hedging business
Futurisation worries end-users of OTC energy derivatives
Regulation has caused much of the over-the-counter energy derivatives market to move to exchange-traded futures. While many market participants welcome the shift, derivatives end-users worry that it could harm their ability to hedge. Alexander Osipovich…
Energy firms increasingly using stress tests to cope with regulatory change
Utilities and other energy firms are working hard to refine and enhance the scenarios they use for stress testing. Given recent market events, the impact of regulatory change and large-scale liquidity crises are taking on an increasingly important role…
Applied risk management series: OTC commodity swaps valuation, hedging and trading
In this article, Carlos Blanco and Michael Pierce provide an overview of swap instruments and discuss the pricing, valuation, hedging and risk management of over-the-counter commodity swaps. They also comment on the expected ramifications of new…
TTF benefits from growing liquidity among European gas hubs
Growing liquidity in the European gas market and a gradual edging away from oil and gas indexation are giving a boost to continental gas hubs – with the Dutch Title Transfer Facility emerging as the biggest beneficiary. Gillian Carr reports
Post-MF Global segregation reforms spark fierce debate
The failures of brokers MF Global and PFGBest have shaken the faith of commodity hedgers in their futures commission merchants (FCMs). But are regulators doing enough to protect customers from another FCM implosion? Alexander Osipovich reports
Deutsche Bank to lose commodities head
Silbert expected to depart Deutsche Bank; Constellation loses power trading head; Goldman appoints Asia-Pacific trading head; ex-Duet duo launch commodities fund; FSA regulator joins FOA
Brent challenges WTI despite questions about oil benchmark
Brent is challenging West Texas Intermediate for the title of the world’s preferred oil benchmark. But as market participants flock to the North Sea crude contract, some critics question whether it is truly a reliable gauge of global prices. Alexander…
Coal derivatives activity rises in Europe and US despite differences
The market for coal is being drastically reshaped by changes in the pattern of global supply and demand. In both Europe and the US, this is causing an increase in coal derivatives trading, albeit for different reasons. Gillian Carr investigates
The art of creating a corporate energy hedging programme
Risk managers and consultants say hedging corporate exposures to energy prices is more art than science. As a result, the development of a truly successful hedging programme requires several important questions to be carefully considered. Jay Maroo…
Academic battle rages over oil speculation, high prices and volatility
In spite of attempts to impose commodity position limits in Europe and the US, a fierce battle continues to rage over whether speculation in oil is responsible for high prices and volatility. David Wigan reviews some of the arguments
Japan faces soaring cost of ditching nuclear power
After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan announced ambitions to phase out the use of nuclear generation. But faced with bulging energy imports and high prices, official enthusiasm for the plan has waned. By David Hayes
LNG derivatives suffer from lack of liquidity
The growth of LNG fuelled high hopes for the LNG derivatives market, causing exchanges to launch a variety of contracts during 2012. But firms say there’s a long way to go before a liquid market emerges. Jay Maroo investigates
European energy firms struggle with unclear Remit rules
Remit is ushering in an array of new reporting requirements designed to curb abuse in European energy markets. But firms are struggling to make sense of the requirements. Gillian Carr reports
Ferc cracks down on power market manipulation
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has declared war on power market abuse, targeting allegations of manipulation by firms including Barclays, Constellation Energy and Deutsche Bank. Further investigations are expected to follow as the agency…
California carbon market faces challenges
California’s first auction for carbon allowances on November 14 was hailed as a success by state officials. But the fledgling market must survive a barrage of legal challenges before it can truly take off. Alexander Osipovich reports