Energy transition
China seen overtaking US as biggest oil importer in 2-3 years
“In two to three years, China will be the largest global importer of crude oil,” Jorge Montepeque, global director of market reports for Platts, said at today’s Global Outlook for Oil event during IP Week.
China forces IEA to boost oil demand forecast
Higher-than-expected demand from China and other Asian countries has forced the International Energy Agency (IEA) to revise up its global oil demand forecast for 2010 by 120,000 barrels a day (b/d) to 86.5 million b/d.
Iraq adopts new pricing for US crude
Somo, the Iraqi state-owned oil marketing firm, has followed in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait by adopting the Argus Sour Crude Index (ASCI) to benchmark price sales of US-bound crude from April onwards.
FirstEnergy and Allegheny announce $8.5bn merger
FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy have announced an $8.5 billion stock-for-stock merger transaction that would create a diversified generation portfolio including 2,200 megawatts (MW) of renewables.
State drops out of regional carbon trading scheme
Arizona has pulled out of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade scheme over fears it would put the state at a competitive disadvantage.
Citi names new global commodities head
Stuart Staley has taken over as Citigroup’s global head of commodities, as the bank aims to boost the business by 30-40% over the next three years.
Gazprom sells US LNG to China
Russian energy company Gazprom has shipped 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China, as the US gas market has an unfavourable pricing environment, says Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman of Gazprom’s management committee and director…
Obama admits Senate may need to drop carbon trading
US President Barack Obama has acknowledged the potential need to strip cap and trade out of US energy legislation currently being re-drafted in the US Senate in order to pass the bill.
More legislation threatens EPA regulation of GHGs
The chairman of the US House Agriculture Committee has introduced bipartisan legislation designed to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Obama boosts biofuels and clean coal
US President Barack Obama has announced a series of measures designed to boost biofuel production and reduce US dependence on foreign oil.
Markets shaken by emissions trading certificate hackers
Market participants are worried they could be holding fraudulent European Union carbon allowances (EUA), after computer hackers launched an alleged phishing attack on the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt).
Energy structured deals: dynamic vs quasi-static hedging
Traditional pricing and hedging approaches often fail to work properly for complex energy structures due to market incompleteness, liquidity problems or unusual price dynamics. In this article, Stefano Fiorenzani suggests some specific adjustments that…
Smart grid: Diverging demands
Rachel Morison concludes her two-part series by looking at the impact of smart grids on supply and demand fundamentals and possible changes to the traded markets
Will Russia leave Europe out in the cold?
After numerous disputes with its neighbours, Russia is looking beyond Europe for more reliable gas consumers. But with worldwide production on the up, Europe also has other options. Lianna Brinded asks whether Russia can afford to turn its back on the…
Dry freight and regulation: Tides of change
The dry freight FFA market has undergone significant changes in the past two years, with a marked increase in clearing and financial players. Participants are now looking at how potentially tighter OTC regulation may impact trading. By Pauline McCallion
Interview: Mexico's hedging plans: in crude health
Pauline McCallion speaks to Gerardo Rodriguez, deputy undersecretary for public debt at Mexico’s Ministry of Finance & Public Credit, about the government’s highly successful oil price hedging strategy
Commodity Rankings: Reclaiming the top spot
The 2010 Risk/Energy Risk Commodity Rankings reveal which companies have been able to prosper despite the difficult conditions of 2009. Lianna Brinded analyses the results and talks to key market participants about their views
EIA eyes Brazil for non-Opec supply growth
Brazil could be the largest source of non- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) oil and liquids supply growth between 2009 and 2011, with an annual production expected to increase by 410,000 barrels per day (b/d) within this period, says…
N2EX trades £12.7 million in three weeks
N2EX, the recently launched marketplace for physical UK power contracts, has traded £12.7 million’s worth of day-ahead and prompt contracts combined in the first three weeks since its opening.
Goldman Sachs tops Energy Risk/Risk commodity rankings 2010
Goldman Sachs has reclaimed the top spot as best overall energy dealer, in the Energy Risk/Risk commodity rankings 2010, relieving Morgan Stanley of its two-year reign at number one.
US budget drops fossil fuel subsidies
US President Barack Obama has used his 2011 budget to call for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, apportioning funds to the clean energy sector instead.
Massachusetts REC futures start trading on CCFE
The Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE) has announced the successful completion of the first Massachusetts Renewable Energy Certificate (REC-MA) futures contract trade.