Feature
Strategies for success
To succeed in the fast-changing US gas market requires an effective hedging and risk-management strategy. Accenture’s Alexander Landia , Paul Equale and Julie Adams look at what firms need to do to win in this key market
The dragon’s revenge
In the second article on the pitfalls of hedging, Neil Palmer considers one of the risks of managing options: dynamic hedging. He shows there is an awful lot that can go wrong in the quest for perfect risk elimination
North AmericanEnergy Forum
Leading energy market players discuss market trends, credit risk management and the future of the energy sector market, with a special focus on Canada
Stateside summit
Adding to the success of Energy Risk Europe in March, last month’s Energy Risk USA conference raised some lively debate. ERM, credit risk and the problems facing quant analysts were among the hot topics. Oliver Holtaway reports
Freight looks forward
Freight derivatives are increasingly seen as a key risk management tool. Banks and hedge funds are also trading them. But will the growth in liquidity continue, or is this another false start for the market? Stella Farrington reports
Valuing interruptus
Managing wholesale spot power price volatility by turning off supply offers a way of reducing price spikes, but measuring the value of such interruptibility involves costly modelling techniques. JK Winsen suggests a simpler alternative
The ABC of PCA
Often, the costs associated with implementing advanced statistical models can outweigh the potential benefits. Brett Humphreys shows how to smooth and speed up choppy simulations using principal components analysis
Commodity kickers
Retail investors are showing greater interest in commodity-linked products. but most of the structures launched in Europe so far have been based on small, tailor-made baskets. By Patrick Fletcher
Awards
Welcome to the annual Energy Risk awards, celebratingthe talent,innovation and enthusiasm that forms thebackbone of this industry.
Standard challenges
Early signs suggest European energy companies may, like their US counterparts,have problems complying with a new derivatives-accounting standard. But theydo have newguidelines to help interpret the rules. By Joe Marsh
Peaking patterns
Weather is increasingly affecting power market dynamics, with prices as variableas the temperatures. But the volatility has spawned a growing variety of methodsofmanaging peak load demand. By Catherine Lacoursiere
Contract killers
Hidden risks can lurk in unexpected areas – such as the contracting process. Brett Humphreys and Brett Friedman discuss how risk managers must look beyondsimple value-at-risk measures and find other potentially hidden exposures
Buyer beware
Risk-management software development is still struggling to recover from slashed budgets after the Enron debacle. So before choosing a new system, buyers should look closely at five critical areas, writes Salim Jabbour
Slaying the dragon
In the first of a two-part series on hedging risk, NeilPalmer looks at the effectsof imperfect correlation on basis risk, and finds that unless you have a perfecthedge, you may just have to learn to live with risk
Broken promises
Asian countries are now a power in the world’s energy markets, but governmentinterference in tariff structures and shaky sovereign guarantees mean regulatoryrisks forinvestors remain. By Maria Kielmas
The vendors’view
Energy software vendors are the first to admit they suffered financially fromthedownturn in the markets, but most stress they’ve developed innovative solutionsdespite the slump. Energy Risk put Salim Jabbour’s concerns to vendors
All bases covered
In 1997, Norwegian energy firm Statoil implemented an enterprise-wide risk management system with the help of Goldman Sachs. Eight years on, few energy companies can rival its approach. Joe Marsh discovers why
Tentative steps
Algeria’s state-owned oil company Sonatrach is about to become the first oil and gas company within Opec to roll out an independent risk management programme to cover its crude oil and gas sales. Stella Farrington reports
Battle for Brent rages on as open outcry closes at IPE
Open outcry at London’s IPE had its last day on Thursday, yet the debate over whether the screen can adequately replicate an oil market rages on, with IPE and Nymex both taking a punt on opposing beliefs.
Carbon copycats
The EU emissions trading scheme, which started in January this year, is already attracting the attention of hedge funds, who see opportunities in this developing and less crowded market, finds Solomon Teague
Clearer signals ahead
Estimating CO2 prices in the first Kyoto budget period of 2008–2012 is now a key risk-management challenge for utility analysts. Abyd Karmali, Sebastian Foot and Nazim Osmancik look at what is likely to drive prices in this period
Vying for top spot
Emissions traders will soon be looking beyond simple forward trades towards options, swaps and exotic derivatives. But for these markets to develop, a tried and trusted index or daily assessment must emerge. Several firms are now vying to become the…
Signs of the times
A comprehensive Energy Risk survey into emissions trading finds there is widespread confidence in the development of the market, but less conviction that the scheme will tackle global warming. Stella Farrington reports