Commodities
Gas pipeline sparks negative UK prices
UK gas prices fell to below zero last month, during the testing of a new pipeline. Now the pipeline is open, does more chaos ensue?
Western congestion
Despite huge strides to improve power transmission efficiency in California since 2001, the region is still flagged a 'critical congestion area' by the US Department of Energy. Neil O'Hara looks at the state of play
GFI to acquire Amerex's North American operations
GFI is acquire the North American brokerage operations and assets of Amerex Energy, a leading interdealer broker of power, natural gas and emissions products and related derivative and option contracts in North America.
TFS to broker oil in Dubai
TFS has become the first interdealer broker to open a desk in Dubai, where it will initially cover precious metals, but also plans to broker oil, freight and financial instruments.
TFS sets up dry freight brokerage
Interdealer brokerTradition Financial Services (TFS) has announced the creation of TFS Freight, a dry freight brokerage group based in Stamford, Connecticut.
The end of an era?
Latin American governments are hiking taxes and forcing changes to contracts with oil and gas investors in a marked departure from the economic liberalisation of the 1990s. But reality may prompt a rethink, writes Maria Kielmas
Coping with setbacks
Most risk managers and employees in energy companies are familiar with the concepts of market risk and credit risk, but operational risk is receiving more attention in corporate boardrooms these days, writes Sandy Fielden
Spectron brokers first UK dark spread
The first brokered UK dark spread has been traded through UK-headquartered brokerage Spectron. The trade, between Sempra and Scottish Power was a Summer ‘06 deal, representing 5,000 tonnes of coal (API#2) versus 15 MW of electricity. It is understood to…
A comeback for coal
With gas prices soaring, it seems inevitable that coal - the Cinderella of energy resources - is bound to return to the forefront. But how long will it last? asks Eric Fishnaut
Commodities Count 2006
The recent swell in energy market participants means the battle for dominance has never been fiercer, but the increased competition means ever-more sophisticated product offerings, finds Stella Farrington
FPL/Constellation merger could be tip of iceberg
High gas prices look set to usher in a wave of fresh consolidation in the utility sector, as companies strive to save costs
What drives natural gas?
Natural gas prices in the US are at an all-time high. The Gulf Coast hurricanes and record summer heat have taken their toll, and business is feeling the effect. Studying and applying seasonality can often protect aganst the volatility of these markets,…
Counting on coal
NRG Energy's move to buy Texas Genco seems a wise one for a company with strong dark-spread exposure, but it has its risks, despite the target company being backed by an active hedging programme. Joe Marsh reports
Papering over the cracks
High energy prices are forcing pulp-and-paper makers to take action against falling profits, yet most companies are still shying away from energy price hedging. But that situation may be slowly changing. Joe Marsh reports
King coal still fired up
Despite the soaring cost of emissions reduction credits, the EU emissions trading scheme has yet to dampen utilities’ demand for coal. But, finds Oliver Holtaway, it may affect their long-term investment decisions
No sign of a slowdown
The fundamental outlook for coal looks price supportive for some years to come, but with other fuel prices sky high, coal looks set to retain its market share of electricity generation this decade. Stella Farrington reports
Coal facing changes
Coal derivatives trading is gaining popularity among coal consumers, producers and financial institutions in Europe, according to a recent survey of market players. Cyriel de Jong and Kasper Walet discuss the study’s results