Operational risk
Ex-SemGroup CEO denies trading strategy caused bankruptcy
Former SemGroup chief Tom Kivisto has criticized a court report that stated his speculative oil trading drove the company to bankruptcy.
SunGard launches Aligne
Pennsylvania-based software firm SunGard has introduced a software solution suite to help energy companies improve and speed up decision making through streamlining and integrating information across different business operations.
LCH snubs DTCC merger
A proposed merger between London-based derivatives clearing house LCH.Clearnet and US clearing giant the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has fallen through.
Morgan Stanley named in FCStone saga
Morgan Stanley has revealed its role in the disposal of a loss-making energy trading account by FCStone in March 2009.
Thomson Reuters upgrades multi-asset class transaction service
Global information company Thomson Reuters has upgraded its multi-asset class transaction service Reuters Trading for Exchanges (RTEx).
Economic slowdown is top risk facing global businesses
The economic slowdown, regulatory/legislative changes and business interruption have been identified as the top three risks facing companies in the 2009 Global Risk Management survey conducted by risk management consultancy Aon.
Smart thinking
Updating ageing power transmission infrastructure with smart grid technology must be a top priority if the US is to meet growing demand while fully harnessing the potential of renewable energy. By Pauline McCallion
Constellation completes sale of trading units
Constellation Energy this week completed the divestiture of its Houston-Based downstream natural gas and international coal and freight business units.
Commodities on Bclear from March 30
Exchange NYSE Liffe will offer clearing for a range of soft and agricultural commodity products on its over-the-counter (OTC) trade confirmation, administration and clearing platform Bclear on March 30. Bclear was launched in 2005 and currently offers…
Constellation refocuses
Loss-making firm Constellation Energy looks to restructure and focus on power generation after rejecting a merger deal with MidAmerican
Weather and force majeure - Force majeure provisions for power contracts
Hurricane Ike left many wholesale power purchasers facing serious financial losses if they could not invoke the force majeure clause in their contracts. Stan Jensen and Jonathan Hoff of Bracewell & Giuliani discuss different elements of force majeure…
Renewables Portfolios - Exposed to the elements
Optimising a renewables portfolio is fraught with challenges. Stephen Maloney discusses them, and suggests some methods that allow for a more robust approach to portfolio optimisation
All Clear?
Despite a recent large increase in volumes, clearing for commodities remains a contentious issue, with little agreement on what the best business model should be, and insufficient standardisation, say market participants. Rachel Morison investigates
Agora-X launches OTC platform for energy and metals
Agora-X, an electronic trading platform, has launched a new platform for the negotiation, execution and clearing of over-the-counter (OTC) trades in energy and metal contracts.
Scotia Capital acquires part of UBS Energy
Scotia Capital, a subsidiary of Scotiabank, today announced the acquisition of assets and employees from UBS Energy, a unit of UBS AG.
VTB Capital enters steam coal market
Russian bank VTB Capital has joined coal trading marketplace globalCOAL to develop its risk management operations in the Pacific region steam coal market.
RWE restructures
RWE has announced plans to restructure its supply and distribution business in Germany and reorganise its ultra-high voltage grid as part of a €6.5 billion investment scheme.
ICF offers risk management for energy companies
Consultant ICF International has announced that it will offer risk management services to the energy sector.
Deutsche Bank joins DME as clearing member
The Dubai Mercantile Exchange's membership committee has today approved Deutsche Bank as the 22nd clearing member of the exchange.
US and European firms in bid for LCH
A consortium of major US and European financial institutions is lining up a bid for London-based derivatives clearing house LCH.Clearnet. Deutsche Bank is acting as adviser on the acquisition, as well as being part of the bidding group.
LNG buyer, beware
LNG aggregators are becoming increasingly active in LNG markets but buyers need to be aware of key issues during purchase negotiations with them, write Susan Farmer and Ben Smith of Fulbright & Jaworski
One stop shop
The world’s biggest commodity exchanges continue to expand the range of products they offer, often into diverse commodity classes. Rachel Morison looks at the benefits and drawbacks for traders as commodity exchanges branch out beyond their traditional…