Energy
Point Carbon buys Natsource Scandinavia’s analysis unit
Carbon emissions consultancy Point Carbon has bought Natsource-Tullett Scandinavia, Europe’s largest power and gas analysis firm, but will disband Natsource’s Oslo brokerage operations. The move adds power and natural gas market analysis to Point Carbon…
All bases covered
In 1997, Norwegian energy firm Statoil implemented an enterprise-wide risk management system with the help of Goldman Sachs. Eight years on, few energy companies can rival its approach. Joe Marsh discovers why
Reuters launches order-routing system for commodities
Global information company Reuters has launched Reuters Order Routing for Commodities (RORC), a new trading solution for the European energy market.
Icap-Hyde hires Toyne to head tanker FFA broking
Icap-Hyde, a London-based joint forward freight and shipping derivatives-broking venture between broker Icap and shipping broker JE Hyde, has added to its team. Simon Toyne has joined as director of tanker forward freight agreements (FFAs), responsible…
Battle for Brent rages on as open outcry closes at IPE
Open outcry at London’s IPE had its last day on Thursday, yet the debate over whether the screen can adequately replicate an oil market rages on, with IPE and Nymex both taking a punt on opposing beliefs.
Nord Pool hires ex-Natsource brokers, eyes power spread contract
Nordic power exchange Nord Pool has hired brokers from the Oslo office of energy broker Natsource, which would fit with rumours that Natsource is closing its Scandinavian business. Natsource president Jack Cogen declined to comment.
Nymex to launch gas oil futures in Dublin
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) has said it will launch a northwest Europe gas oil futures contract in Dublin on Friday April 8.
Nymex launches gas oil futures in Dublin
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) has said it will launch a northwest Europe gas oil futures contract in Dublin on Friday April 8.
Carbon copycats
The EU emissions trading scheme, which started in January this year, is already attracting the attention of hedge funds, who see opportunities in this developing and less crowded market, finds Solomon Teague
Clearer signals ahead
Estimating CO2 prices in the first Kyoto budget period of 2008–2012 is now a key risk-management challenge for utility analysts. Abyd Karmali, Sebastian Foot and Nazim Osmancik look at what is likely to drive prices in this period
Vying for top spot
Emissions traders will soon be looking beyond simple forward trades towards options, swaps and exotic derivatives. But for these markets to develop, a tried and trusted index or daily assessment must emerge. Several firms are now vying to become the…
Signs of the times
A comprehensive Energy Risk survey into emissions trading finds there is widespread confidence in the development of the market, but less conviction that the scheme will tackle global warming. Stella Farrington reports
Polish power exchange chooses OMX software for trading and clearing
In a move to develop its electricity spot and derivatives market, the Polish Power Exchange (PolPX) will use the Condico system from Stockholm-based OMX, the owner and operator of the Swedish stock exchange.
IPE-ECX carbon futures contract faces fierce competition
London’s International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) and the Amsterdam-based European Climate Exchange (ECX) are set to offer CO 2 futures contracts under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Turbulent times
The new Renewable Sources Act obliges German utility companies to buy all the wind power generated in the country on any one day. And it is adding a new volatility to the German power market. By Stella Farrington
Germany’s closed shop
Despite six years of liberalisation, Germany’s gas market is still virtually closed to outside competition. Writing from Germany, Stella Farrington looks at whether new regulation is finally about to bring change
Powernext selects Trayport for emissions trading, awaits CO 2 allocation
French electricity exchange Powernext will use software supplier Trayport’s Global Vision platform for CO 2 emissions trading, but is still waiting to start the spot emissions market it first announced in January.
Hanging on at the top
This year’s User Choice Awards demonstrate that quality counts. In a fast-changing market, the top vendors and packages have managed to stay ahead of the pack. But the winners cannot rest easy. With IT budgets deflated, it’s a competitive market, and…
Opec split over increasing oil production
Ministers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) arriving in the Iranian city of Esfahan Tuesday sent out mixed messages over the expected outcome of Wednesday’s meeting.
Greenpeace protest at IPE fuels debate on emissions trading
Greenpeace’s invasion of London’s International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) on Wednesday was intended to draw attention to the environmental impact of ‘big oil’ on the day the Kyoto Protocol came into force. However, by attacking an exchange that is about…
Spectron to launch LPG web-trading platform
UK energy broker Spectron will launch an online trading platform for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) on Tuesday (February 22). Spectron said the screen will be the first to allow the trading of LPG in both the east and west, as outrights or spreads, and…
Greenpeace protesters storm IPE
Open-outcry trade in Brent and gas oil futures at London’s International Petroleum Exchange was halted for over an hour on Wednesday afternoon after 50 to 60 protesters from environmental group Greenpeace stormed the building.
UK broker trade group to launch emissions indexes
The London Energy Brokers’ Association (Leba) will launch a series of ‘green indices’, which it says are designed as independent benchmarks for the European emissions market. The association will release both spot and forward indexes, with the aim of…
OpenLink may launch web-based version of Endur
OpenLink may launch a web-based version of Endur, its energy trading and risk management system, according to Matt Frye, Houston-based managing director of the software company.