Feature
The secrets of successful energy trading firms
The energy trading world has seen various companies come and go over the years, including utilities, commodity trading houses and banks. Some of those firms have proven to be phenomenally profitable, while others have not. What is the recipe for success?…
Utility firms struggle to fend off Emir clearing
Europe’s largest utilities are concerned at the prospect of having to clear all their over-the-counter derivatives trades under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (Emir). But although there are options for avoiding clearing under Emir, whether…
Energy trading: veterans reflect on highs and lows
Celebrating Energy Risk’s 20th year, Vitol’s Christopher Bake and Icap’s Paul Newman spoke to editor Mark Pengelly about the history of the energy market and current trends on stage at Energy Risk Summit Europe in October
Mercuria appoints top team following JP Morgan sale
CME Group cuts global headcount by 5%; Deutsche oil trading heads depart; NextEra hires Barclays's Jee; EDF appoints Goldman sales head; Radhakrishnan leaves CFTC
Banks and investors see appeal of commodity finance
Despite the retreat of major global banks from commodities, commodity finance is nonetheless viewed as an attractive opportunity. But it is an area where banks face increased competition from trading houses. By Mark Nicholls
Looking back: Chaos ensues at IPE amid protest
Open-outcry trading at the IPE was halted in February 2005 amid a lively protest by Greenpeace activists. The timing was ironic, as Energy Risk reported the following month
Energy companies facing ‘intrusive’ CFTC special calls
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission is stepping up its market surveillance activities, issuing special calls to numerous firms that trade over-the-counter swaps. That is causing headaches for smaller energy companies tangled up in the dragnet…
Nothing new about bank commodity exits, history shows
The recent exodus of banks from the commodities business is not a first. Alexander Osipovich looks back at the turbulent history of banks quitting the commodity markets, only to come piling back in a short time later
Trafigura hires ex-JP Morgan Asia commodities head
Danske Commodities downsizes; Citi hires ags sales head; new energy heads at Marex Spectron; Evolution adds Texas power desk; high-level exits at BNP Paribas
Devil in the detail for Mexico power sector reform
The deregulation of Mexico’s state-dominated electricity sector is sparking enthusiasm among international energy firms eager for investment opportunities. But many challenges remain as regulators create the country’s new wholesale gas and power markets,…
Power pioneer reflects on EU market development
Having been closely involved in Dutch market liberalisation during the mid-1990s, Bert den Ouden has gone on to play a key role bringing Europe’s power markets closer together. He speaks with Gillian Carr
Looking back: Neta set to change UK power market
The UK power market currently faces severe criticism, but when the present market structure was launched in March 2001, it was heralded as ‘ground-breaking’ by industry observers
The 10 biggest energy risk management disasters of the past 20 years
The history of energy trading is littered with losses, bankruptcies and other misfortunes that now serve as cautionary tales. Alexander Osipovich looks back at the biggest energy risk management disasters of the past two decades and how they reshaped the…
CpML to foster standardisation among energy traders
First developed by Efet, CpML is a standardised language for the storage and exchange of commodity data, which could help reduce the industry’s high levels of operational risk. As a new standalone entity takes over the running of CpML, Filip Sleeuwagen,…
CFTC and Ferc see a changing of the guard
GDF Suez hires SG energy derivatives head; Citi appoints in commodity sales; BNP Paribas recruits investor sales head; Marex Spectron adds meteorologist; Freepoint gains oil trader
GRC software makes inroads in US utility sector
A growing number of US utilities and power companies are acquiring governance, risk and compliance software to help them cope with the mounting burden of regulation, including stricter standards on grid reliability and cybersecurity. Alexander Osipovich…
Energy firms rely on patched-up solutions for reporting
Under new rules in Europe and the US, energy firms have to aggregate trade data from a variety of internal sources and report it to repositories. While it was hoped this process could lead to wider improvements in analytics, risk management and…
UK power market investigation overshadowed by EMR
A Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) probe into the UK power market, which may result in a radical shake-up of the sector, is coming amid major changes to the industry under Electricity Market Reform. How the CMA reconciles this will be closely…
Looking back: Lehman stirs credit and liquidity risk fears
Six years ago, the bankruptcy of investment bank Lehman Brothers sent shock waves through energy and commodity markets, as Energy Risk reported in October 2008
Precious metals dealers search for better benchmarks
Amid pressure from regulators, a new system for determining benchmark silver prices will be put in place from mid-August, while reforms are also under discussion in the gold market. Industry observers say increasing participation will be crucial to…
Ercot ‘small fish' rule criticised amid CFTC probe
Amid consternation over the activities of GDF Suez Energy North America in the Texas power market and an investigation by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, some market participants are questioning the legal protection afforded to smaller…
John Arnold looks back at 17 years of energy trading
In an exclusive interview, John Arnold talks to Alexander Osipovich about the extraordinary success of his former hedge fund, Centaurus Advisors, the difficulty of hiring good traders and why he walked away from energy trading after 17 years
Energy Risk 20th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Awards
To mark 20 years since its launch in 1994, Energy Risk is honouring 20 individuals who have made a tangible contribution to the development of commodity trading and risk management
Energy Risk Awards 2014: Houston and London photos
The annual Energy Risk awards celebrate success across the commodity and energy markets, with a particular focus on client service. This year’s winners were honoured at gala dinners held in Houston and London during May and June, respectively