Natural gas
Energy Risk Commodity Rankings 2011: Commodities
Some commodity markets saw a significant drop in volatility in 2010, with prices trading in a tight range. In contrast, there are some notable changes in this year’s Risk and Energy Risk commodity rankings, with some new faces making it into the survey
Obama: 80% US power from clean sources by 2035
US President promises push for clean energy at expense of oil and singular focus on renewables
Societe Generale to acquire RBS Sempra gas and power assets
Société Générale agrees to buy North American power and natural gas assets from RBS Sempra Commodities
CFTC mulls position limits rule, delays vote
US regulator fails to vote on position limits proposal; questions raised about data availability
US E&P to shift from gas to liquids in 2011
Liquids-rich plays attract attention as the low natural gas price outlook continues
Positive outlook for 2011 commodity inflows: survey
Commodity investment to strengthen and become more active in 2011 as natural gas producers look to hedge low price expectations
Hedge expiries to increase US power ratings risk in 2012: Moody’s
Favourable hedges protect unregulated power company ratings next year, but 2012 expiries could leave sector exposed
Nat gas hedging hit by regulation and fundamentals
Experts link drop in natural gas trading activity and liquidity to fundamentals and regulatory uncertainty
London conference report
Energy risk managers met in London in October for Energy Risk’s Europe 2010 conference to discuss the latest developments and prospects for the energy and commodities markets as the economic recovery takes root amid sweeping regulatory changes. Katie…
Power exchange to launch gas contract
New Nodal Exchange contract to increase options for power traders; anticipates future gas and renewables demand
Low natural gas prices push producers to oil
US producers move to oil plays, 2011 natural gas hedging programmes not expected to support current production levels
Experts doubt impact from environmental study on gas prices
The US EPA continues hydraulic fracturing investigation but experts predict negligible effect on near-term natural gas prices
Lax TSO rules could increase power and gas VAT fraud
Relaxed registration rules for Transmission System Operators (TSOs) could increase VAT fraud in the power and gas over-the-counter (OTC) markets as exchanges tighten controls, say analysts
Light at the end of the US gas market tunnel
Low prices have so far failed to temper producers’ zeal for US natural gas, but change may be on the horizon. Pauline McCallion speaks to analysts about their natural gas price expectations for 2011
“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
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
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
US intensifies efforts to develop clean coal, carbon capture
The US Department of Energy has announced further funding for clean coal technology R&D as part of plan to maintain a diversified energy portfolio
Energy firms' hedging programmes give mixed results
Hedging programmes for oil & gas companies show widely differing outcomes according to the latest flurry of company results
Shale boom to continue out to 2020
New technology means the cost of shale gas production is more favourable than natural gas
Nabucco could be postponed to 2011
Future Western European gas supplies could be at risk, as the Nabucco pipeline, which is designed to relinquish the European Union’s dependence on Russian gas imports, maybe delayed until the start of 2011
Q&A: Dr James Markowsky, US Department of Energy
Dr James Markowsky, assistant secretary for fossil energy at the US Department of Energy, speaks to Pauline McCallion about clean coal technology, managing the strategic petroleum reserve and creating a diverse US energy portfolio
China unveils major oil and gas plan
China’s seemingly insatiable appetite for energy production and consumption reaches new levels as the country unveils plans to increase oil and gas production by a third by 2020
Shell Gas chief: end-users will face credit issues - Exclusive
Shell Gas Direct’s chief tells Energy Risk that major end-users’ credit worthiness will be one of four major challenges for industrial and commercial users in the next few years