Alternative fuels
Australia gives go ahead to LNG project
Australian federal environment minister Peter Garrett has granted approval for the Gorgan Project, one of the world's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments.
Flying into a storm
Extreme volatility in oil markets has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses on airline fuel hedges. At the same time, burgeoning margin calls have forced some to get creative with collateral agreements. How is the airline industry adapting? By…
Green skies ahead?
Biofuels could become part of the jet-fuel blend in as little as two years and ready for large-scale use by 2015, say experts. Katie Holliday talks to airlines, biofuels experts and carbon traders about the implications for the jet fuel market.
UNG fund secures $500million gas swap
Exchange traded fund (ETF) the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) entered into a natural gas total return swap for $500 million at the end of the last week, following a $250 million bilateral gas swap secured in July.
Biofuels industry to triple in size by 2020
The biofuels market will reach $247 billion in sales by 2020 according to a report from clean technology consultancy firm Pike Research.
New RFS proposal could hurt corn demand
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest proposed regulations for the National Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has cast doubt on corn's future as the primary source of ethanol in the US.
Biofuels get boost from clean energy revolution
The US Government has announced plans designed to boost the use of advanced biofuels through research, investment and the national Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
First biodiesel paper swap traded through ClearPort
The first ever over-the-counter (OTC) biodiesel paper swap has been brokered by US firm Starsupply Renewables, through CME Group's ClearPort system.
VeraSun Bankruptcy Highlights Tough Ethanol Market Say Experts
VeraSun Energy’s latest financing package may have given it the necessary relief to continue operations, but its bankruptcy filing indicates times are extremely tough for the ethanol industry, with more casualties expected, experts say.
CME allowed to clear OTC ethanol contracts
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued an order on October 9th permitting Chicago Mercantile (CME) to clear over-the-counter (OTC) ethanol contracts.
Backlash against biofuels
Biofuels are facing not only the food versus fuel controversy, but also criticism that the growing biofuels industry produces a bigger carbon footprint than the savings made when using them. Eric Fishhaut of GlobalView Software looks at the arguments
Ethanol first for Tullett Prebon
Inter-dealer broker Tullett Prebon has completed the first European paper trade in fuel grade ethanol.
Tullett Prebon brokers first physical fuel grade ethanol trade
Inter-dealer broker Tullett Prebon’s biofuel desk has completed its first trade in physical fuel grade ethanol.
Japan Airlines teams up with SolArc
Japan Airlines (JAL) has selected SolArc RightAngle as its Next Generation Fuel Administration System (NGFAS).
Merrill Lynch introduces biofuels indices
Investment bank Merrill Lynch has introduced two indices designed to offer investors exposure to the fast-growing biofuels market.
CME to offer clearing for ethanol basis swaps
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will offer clearing for over-the-counter (OTC) ethanol basis swaps from October 5. The service will offer centralised clearing, including daily mark-to-market margining and reduced counterparty risk, to the biofuels and…
A spreading collapse?
The unbridled optimism that spurred the ethanol market upwards in 2006 has been replaced by a more sombre mood. David Watkins reports