Market risk
Turning points: Constellation Energy’s managing director, risk, Harald Ullrich
Constellation Energy’s managing director, risk, Harald Ullrich, talks to Pauline McCallion about lessons learnt from the financial crisis and what now lies in store for energy risk managers
Trading positions - September 2010
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Tocom relaxes market rules to ease foreign trade
The Tokyo Commodity Exchange has eased rules for foreign commodity brokers wanting to trade on its platform in a move that is expected to boost volumes, Katie Holliday reports
Recent US deals could power more M&A
Mergers and acquisition activity could be on the up in the US power market in spite of staid economic conditions. Pauline McCallion examines the outlook for M&A
“New price on risk” for Gulf of Mexico producers
Government and regulators are urged to act quickly to create a stable regulatory regime in the wake of the Macondo oil spill or risk stifling domestic production
Brokers establish own carbon trading risk tests
Carbon brokers establish their own checks for assessing counterparty risk, following European market authorities’ failure to react to a spate of carbon market fraud.
Russia to benefit most from China's energy demand - report
Russia will benefit more than its competitors from China's growing energy appetite, says private investment bank Troika Dialog
New CME coal contracts signal maturing coal market
CME launches four swap futures and options contracts in a move that analysts say will boost the global coal market
UK carbon fraud measures could impact market
The UK authorities' decision to introduce a reverse charge mechanism on carbon credits from November could increase costs and push trading on to exchanges, say market participants
China's Sinopec: gas production up 40% as demand grows
China’s state-owned energy giant Sinopec reveals natural gas production soars by 40%, as proven reserves ebb lower, suggesting heightened imports are on the horizon
China’s CDM trade threatened by uncertain carbon legislation
Investment in CDM carbon credits in China may slow because of the prolonged uncertainty over global climate change legislation, analysts say
BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill will not push fuel switching
Experts quash fears that tighter restrictions following BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill will result in oil to gas fuel switching in the US, thus pushing up gas prices
Regulators kick off derivatives reform discussion
Market participants call for clearing decisions to be left to market forces and caution regulators about clearing house ownership
China’s drop in oil demand is "warning sign’"
Alarm bells hit the market after China’s oil demand slump signals a possible unexpected slowdown in energy demand growth
Platts’ new coal price assessment reflects Indian potential
Launch of Platts thermal coal price assessment for India highlights the country's growing importance as a leading coal producer and importer
UK end-users face power and gas price volatility
Experts warn that major UK end-users may face another quarter of power and gas price volatility, indicating the necessity of a risk management programme
Bumpy ride for freight market
The inherent volatility of the freight derivatives market is part of what makes it so appealing to hedgers and speculators. Katie Holliday takes a close look at what has driven recent extreme volatility in the Capesize market and speaks to analysts about…
End-users adopt more complex hedging tools and methods
End-users’ energy and commodities hedging strategies are growing in sophistication as they adopt more complex products and non-traditional tools, says the head of RWE npower’s optimisation desk
Trading group fined $12 million for inflating oil price
CFTC fines ConAgra Trade Group for artificially pushing crude to $100 per barrel in January 2008, the year prices hit all-time peak of $147 per barrel
Credit rating agencies: A question of trust
For companies involved in the production and trade of energy, credit ratings agencies have played an important risk function, but confidence plummeted after their perceived failure to signal the financial crisis
Forward planning at M&S
As a high profile global retail chain, Marks & Spencer faces regular public scrutiny over its energy use and is well known for championing its ‘green’ image. Katie Holliday talks to Mervyn Bowden, head of energy management, about how M&S manages its…
Demand response challenges
How will the integration of demand response initiatives affect the US power market? Ron McNamara, principal consultant at energy consultancy Utilicast and former managing director at energy trader Saracen Energy Partners, discusses how to integrate end…