Brent crude
Oil market faces tight deadline for Ice Brent protocol
As Ice prepares to shift Brent expiry calendar on December 6, Isda releases protocol to enable orderly transition of OTC market
Ice Brent changes prove a hard pill to swallow
Ice says a plan to shift the expiry dates of futures and options on Brent crude oil is an important fix that will tighten the link between the physical and futures markets. However, carrying out the necessary changes could be painful for market…
Ice bows to pressure on Brent contract changes
Exchange delays plan to shift expiry calendar for Brent crude oil futures and options after firms complain they need more time to prepare
Brent options trading disrupted by Ice expiry date shift
Proposals to ensure convergence between futures and physical Brent cause firms to avoid trading long-dated options
WTI rally offers limited upside to oil producers, say analysts
WTI rally may be short-lived, say analysts, while impact of backwardation is likely to be felt more strongly
PRAs under attack amid market manipulation investigations
Price reporting agencies (PRAs) are facing intense scrutiny from regulators, amid renewed allegations that their widely used price indexes are being manipulated by unscrupulous energy traders. Will the PRAs be forced to change their ways? Alexander…
Low Brent creates window of opportunity for hedgers, say analysts
Brent crude oil offers a window for airlines and refiners to lock in prices, but opportunity won’t last forever, say analysts
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…
Low crude volatility to bolster spread trades, say analysts
Market participants expected to shy away from outright bets on crude oil as low volatility persists
The uncertain impact of an SPR release
During September, speculation about a possible withdrawal from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve hit boiling point. Although such a release now appears to be unlikely, Jay Maroo investigates the impact any future withdrawal might have on oil traders and…
The unreliability of oil price forecasting
Oil price forecasts are notoriously unreliable, making life difficult for energy market participants attempting to manage their risks. Alexander Osipovich explores the reasons why analysts struggle to predict future prices
Oil price reporting agencies' principles won't deter manipulation, say critics
International Organization of Securities Commissions principles for oil price reporting agencies fail to silence critics
Aggressive oil hedging enables Plains E&P’s big deepwater play
Plains Exploration & Production will hedge up to 90% of its oil production for the next three years, the Houston-based company says as it reaches a deal to buy $6.1 billion of oil assets in the Gulf of Mexico from BP and Shell
Brent crude seen at $50/bbl by Q3 in worst-case scenario: Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse has released a research note today that highlights the potential for oil prices to fall to levels last seen during the 2008 crisis
Seaway pipeline reversal: beginning of the end for negative WTI-Brent spread?
Analyst forecasts of how the reversal of the Seaway pipeline will affect the West Texas Intermediate-Brent spread vary widely. Jay Maroo reports
Asian challenge to crude benchmarks
As Asian demand for crude continues to increase, calls are growing for an Asian crude oil benchmark to sit alongside the global benchmarks of WTI and Brent. Jay Maroo investigates the possible alternatives
Oil analysts' 2012 price forecasts up slightly on 2011 average
Geopolitical tension is propping up the oil market, even as a shaky global economy threatens to sap demand. Analysts offer Alexander Osipovich their views on oil prices in 2012
Refiners step up hedging activity
Refineries in Europe have stepped up their hedging activity in recent months as they take advantage of a recovery in margins, market participants say
Q&A – Ice Futures Europe’s David Peniket and Mike Davis
In the second part of Energy Risk’s series on the future for the exchange-traded energy markets, Ice Futures Europe’s David Peniket and Mike Davis talk to Pauline McCallion about the likely direction of the market in 2012 and beyond
Commodity indexes rebalance in favour of Brent but WTI seen outperforming in 2012
Brent crude's representation in commodity indexes is set to increase as a result of the annual rebalancing of contracts that takes place during this week
Interview: CME Group
In the first of a two-part series with senior executives at the CME and Ice, Pauline McCallion talks to Gary Morsches, managing director, energy, products and services at CME Group, about the future for exchange-traded energy
WTI-Brent spread volatility disrupts hedging programmes
Jet fuel prices have been tracking Brent more closely than WTI, raising questions about the hedging strategies of US airlines. Alexander Osipovich reports
Iran to remain biggest short-term risk to oil prices in 2012: analysts
The developing situation in Iran will continue to be the biggest short-term driver of oil prices, as the EU prepares to potentially join the US in sanctions on Iranian crude and the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains a threat, say oil…
Energy Risk Europe: Oil up $4/bbl for every 1% hike in China, India oil imports: report
New research provides evidence that a relationship exists between the demand for oil from China and India and Brent crude prices