Energy transition
Experts predict wave of commodity spread ETFs
An influx of commodity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could sweep the market, after Canadian investment firm Jovian Capital Corp’s ETF unit BetaPro Management launched the first ever commodity spread ETF this month, signalling the growing range of…
Gazprom seals US LNG deal
The world’s largest natural gas company Gazprom has sealed a deal with US-based Sempra Energy that will allow Russia’s energy giant to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to another US receipt terminal and further broaden its client base and its reach in…
China’s oil demand rise won’t tighten global supply
China’s apparent oil demand rose by 12.8% in March this year, following the expansion of refining capacity and rapid growth in the Chinese economy, but this does not indicate that global supply will tighten, say analysts.
Ex-RBS Sempra boss heads to UBS
UBS has hired former RBS Sempra Commodities head Kaushik Amin amid speculation that it will restart its commodities trading business
Chinese CDM project approval drops
The Chinese government's approval rate for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects has dropped by over a third since December 2009, amid continued fears that Chinese CDM-generated Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) credits will not be allowed to be…
CFTC data shows speculators don't influence commodity markets
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) re-aggregated data releases show speculation has minimal impact on oil price movements, according to investment bank Credit Agricole.
Tories plan to phase out UK Renewables Obligation
The Conservative Party has responded to rumours it is preparing to overhaul the UK's renewable energy policy by confirming that, if elected, it will phase out the government's Renewables Obligation scheme.
IEA remains steady on global oil demand for 2010
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stuck to its previous forecast for global oil demand in 2010, following two consecutive upwards revisions, but has lowered its 2009 estimates based on adjusted official data.
US energy secretary says clear clean energy signal needed
US energy secretary Steven Chu joined industry figures in underlining the need for a clear legislative signal to encourage investment in clean energy and emissions reductions technology at a Washington, DC conference this week.
Estonian bidding area paves the way for integration of Baltic power markets
Nordic power market Nord Pool Spot has introduced a bidding area to connect Estonia to the Nordic region, as part of the exchange’s plans to further integrate the Baltic power market.
JP Morgan LNG launch shows growing interest in market
JP Morgan’s move into liquefied natural gas (LNG) last week is indicative of growing interest and expectations for the future of the sector.
Talking Technicals: Nymex Gas oversold
Nymex natural gas prices are completely oversold and now is not the time to buy gas, says a market expert in Energy Risk's new show, Talking Technicals.
Cutting Edge: Pure jump models for energy prices
Université de Lausanne’s Roberto Marfè investigates pure jump processes as modelling blocks for the distributions of energy returns under the pricing measure. An easy-to-implement option-implied approach is outlined, which circumvents most of the…
Risk management in vertically integrated energy companies
Once risk management is seen as more than just a control function, the business operations of vertically integrated energy companies present numerous opportunities, especially for hedging strategies. Jaime Román and Santiago Tejero of Endesa discuss
Obama launches new offshore drilling plan
In a joint announcement yesterday, US President Barack Obama and secretary of the interior Ken Salazar disclosed further details of efforts to strengthen energy security.
Turning points: Chris Schlegel, risk manager with Southern Company
Chris Schlegel, risk manager with Southern Company, speaks to Lianna Brinded about the changing landscape for energy risk management amid the new global energy mix
BP and CNPC push forward in Iraq despite oil law uncertainty
BP and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) have awarded a raft of other energy and commodities companies deals to start drilling and production in the lucrative Iraqi Rumaila oilfield, which they operate, despite the current lack of a petroleum…
Q&A with the director of UNFCCC’s Sustainable Development Mechanisms
The UNFCCC has the tough challenge of creating and monitoring a market-based structure to urge the world to resolve climate change issues. John Kilani, director of the UNFCCC’s Sustainable Development Mechanisms programme talks to Lianna Brinded
Special report: India's energy derivatives market
Our Special Report for April focuses on India's nascent energy derivatives markets.
Building the blocks for energy risk management in India
The concept of using derivatives for risk management is still relatively new to utilities in India and viewed with caution by market regulators. Katie Holliday talks to market experts about how they expect the discipline of risk management to develop
Focus on India: Power market regulation
Despite a growing will to liberalise power markets in India, progress has been slow so far. However, regulatory changes are finally moving the market towards better transparency and competition, finds Katie Holliday
Aligning the interests of trading desks and refineries
The interests of trading desks may not always be aligned with the best interests of a vertically integrated company’s assets. Charles Ford discusses some approaches that address this issue
Economic uncertainty adds to challenge of hedging in US power markets
Uncertainty has plagued the US power sector since the financial crisis. Although many believe an economic recovery is in sight, forecasting load growth continues to be a headache for those looking to manage risk in this market. Pauline McCallion reports
Low US gas price spurs shale oil industry
The development of shale gas production in the US is expected to change the face of the natural gas sector but could it make similar waves in the US oil production industry? Pauline McCallion examines the outlook for US shale oil