Market risk
A solid foundation
MotherRock, the energy hedge fund set up by former Nymex president Bo Collins, recently chose Kiodex’s ASP-based risk management software. Joe Marsh explores the trade-off between web-based and installed systems
Calgary’s oil patch
Some Canadian oil and gas producers got their fingers burnt last year as oil prices soared and hedging programmes resulted in big losses. What will their strategies be in 2005? Catherine Lacoursiere reports
A complicated option
Why does the New York Mercantile Exchange not list average-price WTI crude options as a contract on its ClearPort electronic platform? Internal politics could be the main obstacle. Joe Marsh reports
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.
The swap terminator
Multilateral swap cancellations look set to become commonplace in the energy sector, thanks to a service from TriOptima, which has just terminated its first round of oil swaps for six firms. Joe Marsh reports
Rankings 2005
The energy markets gave corporates and funds plenty to think about in 2004 – and while the banks still dominate the rankings, some sectors have been taken over for the first time by energy companies. All is revealed in this year’s comprehensive round-up.
Merrill Lynch starts building coal desk
Matt Schicke, former director of coal trading at Michigan-based DTE Energy, has joined Merrill Lynch to build a US coal trading desk from its Houston office. As vice-president, he is initiating steps to trade coal, said Merrill spokeswoman Terez Hanhan.
The experts excel
The fast and furious energy markets gave corporates and funds plenty to think about in 2004 – and while the banks still dominate the energy rankings, some sectors have been taken over for the first time by energy companies. By James Ockenden and Joe Marsh
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.
Nymex confirms plans to launch in London
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) today announced plans to open an open-outcry Brent futures floor in London. "It's our intention to move to London as soon as possible," Nymex president James Newsome told reporters in London.
Real-time trading
In an efficient, real-time power market, low-cost generation units are dispatched ahead of those with higher operating costs, and the market price reflects balanced generation and load. Here Shulang Chen discusses the basic functions of a real-time…
Layers of intrigue
The Yukos saga – up to now largely confined to the political and legal arenas – recently took a step closer to the physical oil markets with a $6 billion oil deal between China and Russia. By Stella Farrington
A bid for power
Clock auctions are a fairly recent method for utilities of procuring electricity from suppliers, but only New Jersey has an established process. Yet Ohio and Illinois are showing interest. Joe Marsh reports
Exceptions to the rule
With commodity markets set to fall within the scope of more EU regulation, trade associations are concerned that this extra burden on market participants could stifle trade. By Stella Farrington
A good bet for 2005
2005 is forecast to be a tough year for many hedge funds, but the saturation of some of their traditional markets could prove a boon to the energy sector, finds Stella Farrington
Correlation: the horror!
The murky world of correlation, with its many pitfalls, represents a black hole in the minds of some energy market professionals. But, says Neil Palmer , you needn’t be afraid of the dark
Smoke without fire
The market for US financial coal swaps may be starting to show a little potential, but some major obstacles still remain before it catches alight – not least a widely accepted price index. By Joe Marsh
The basics of basis
Basis plays an important role for trading in the very complex US natural gas markets: spot will differ from the benchmark Henry Hub New York Mercantile Exchange price on the same day. Eric Fishhaut describes how the basis works and demonstrates the…
Crude imitation
Hedging Canadian heavy crude oil is difficult: unlike Canadian light crude, ithas no closely matching price benchmarks. Trading basis differentials is onesolution, but help may be at hand from another quarter. By JoeMarsh
Evolution expands gas and power desk
US broker Evolution Markets has hired two brokers for the North American natural gas and power desk it launched in October. Corey Geraghty and Trenton Davis now broker gas and electricity options from the company headquarters in White Plains, New York.
TriOptima trims six companies' oil swap portfolios
TriOptima, a Swedish company dedicated to reducing over-the-counter swap portfolios, has expanded its service into energy. The company has terminated its first group of multilateral OTC oil derivative swaps, with six companies eliminating unnecessary…
IPE launches UK electricity baseload index
The International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) has launched a UK electricity baseload index in response, it said, to industry demand for a viable index on which to base physical deals. The first pricing period will be for the March 2005 contract.
BofA reports improved commodity-trading income
North Carolina-based Bank of America yesterday reported revenues of $45 million from commodity trading in its full-year 2004 results, up from a loss of $45 million for 2003. The investment bank's recovery came amid strong overall financial results for…
Risk Management Inc signs four utility clients
Risk Management Inc (RMI), a Chicago-based energy consultancy and brokerage, has signed up four new utility customers for its energy risk management and hedging services. The City of Glendale Water & Power and Pasadena Water & Power, both in California,…