Operational risk
Optimisation through a component framework
The challenge of implementing the most suitable ETRM software solutions for energy companies trading and hedging multiple physical commodities in numerous locations has become increasingly daunting. Paul McLean-Thorne and Tim Hughes explore the options
Rewriting the rules
The proposed re-regulation of financial markets in the US could have far-reaching consequences for OTC commodity derivatives trading. Peter Malyshev, of counsel at law firm Winston & Strawn, analyses the proposals and identifies possible winners and…
Movers & shakers
As part of our 15th Anniversary, Energy Risk rounds up 15 of the most influential and innovative companies currently active in the traded energy markets and profiles their achievements
Sparking innovation
In the second of two articles tracing the beginnings of energy derivatives trading, Roderick Bruce looks at the development of the natural gas and electricity markets in the US and Europe
Power plant Greeks
The computation of the price sensitivities - otherwise known as the Greeks - of a power plant is essential for proper hedging and risk management. However, due to the complexity and difficulty involved in the modelling of generation characteristics and…
Where to next?
Energy trading is experiencing rapid change and it can be difficult for ETRM software to keep pace. Rachel Morison finds out which issues software vendors are tackling and what they expect next-generation software to achieve
EBRD to support Ukraine gas reforms
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to provide a sovereign-guaranteed loan to Ukraine's state-owned energy firm Naftogaz. The loan will aid a government plan to reform Ukraine's struggling energy market and secure the transit…
BHP Billiton offers 30% of iron ore contracts for sale
Global mining company BHP Billion has announced that 30% of its total iron ore volumes will be sold on a mix of quarterly negotiated pricing, market clearing price (spot market) and index-based pricing. The move has boosted confidence in the development…
ICE Futures Europe data added to COT reports
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to include positions of traders in West Texas Intermediate crude oil contracts on ICE Futures Europe in future Commitments of Traders (COT) reports.
E.ON Energy Trading joins CEGH
EON Energy Trading has joined the Central European Gas Hub (CEGH) at Baumgarten. The move is part the company's plans to expand its gas trading activities in Central and Eastern Europe in an effort to improve market access and develop a more integrated,…
SMX selects Standard Chartered as clearing bank
The Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX) has appointed Standard Chartered to provide its clearing and settlement services.
Plastics ring dealing to cease at the LME
The London Metal Exchange (LME) has announced proposals to cease open-outcry trading of its plastics futures contracts, with trade continuing on the LME's electronic and telephone markets.
Trayport links cleared OTC energy trades to LCH.Clearnet
Trading software provider Trayport has announced that it will now offer automated clearing for energy OTC trades on LCH.Clearnet.
French power supply problems could hit UK
Unusually high temperatures last month put a third of France's nuclear power stations out of action, forcing the country to import electricity from the UK. According to Chris Bowden, CEO of energy and carbon advisors Utilyx, the UK may face similar…
E.ON and GDF Suez fined for market sharing
The European Commission has fined Germany's E.ON and GDF Suez of France €553 million each for agreeing not to compete in each others markets between 1975 and 2005.
Pickens Plan hit by transmission issues
Oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens has confirmed reports that he is to shelve plans to build the world's largest wind farm in Texas and will funnel the resources into smaller projects instead.
Staging a transformation
Energy risk management has transformed since the early 1990s. Pauline McCallion speaks to risk managers about the challenges they faced in the early days and how they compare with the issues faced today
Rogue PVM oil deals not behind price spike say traders
Unauthorised trading in Brent futures contracts on June 30 by a staff member at oil broker PVM was not the main cause of a spike in oil prices, according to traders.
Learning from losses
Energy and commodity markets have staged impressive growth in the past 15 years, but there have also been some eye-watering failures along the way. Katie Holliday considers what has been learnt from these catastrophes, and whether derivatives scandals…
Oil broker PVM hit by trading loss
Oil broker PVM today said it has lost just under $10 million due to unauthorised trading in Brent futures contracts on June 30.
Allegro launches FERC reporting component
Allegro has launched the latest advancement of its Allegro 8 platform, FERC Connect 8.1, which automates the process for extracting, compiling and reporting information required for the natural gas and power markets.