Operational risk
The chain gang
Supply chain management is becoming more important within energy companies, making liaising between the supply chain manager and the risk manager essential in order to avoid compromising operational risk, writes Raees Lakhani
LNG moves offshore
Offshore LNG terminals not only circumvent environmental objections, they give suppliers global arbitrage opportunities. But are they economical, asks Catherine Lacoursiere
Leading the energy software revolution
The ETRM software industry is enjoying a long-awaited boom, meaning exciting developments are in store for energy trading and risk management, writes Stella Farrington
Nymex’s side-by-side trading seen as deathknell to floor
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) will introduce side-by-side electronic and open-outcry trading in its physically settled energy futures contracts in the second quarter of 2006.
The advantage of ASPs
Web-based energy-trading solutions offer certain advantages over server-based systems, says Thurstan Bannister. In a later issue, we will publish an article setting out the benefits of server-based software
Deriving storage value
Following an article Energy Risk published in July, TransCanada's Farzan Nathoo looks at how companies can extract value from their natural gas storage assets
Package deals
Banks have been choosing off-the-shelf fully integrated systems for energy trading and risk management. But some feel the available software still falls short
Rights and resources
Doing business in a country with a poor human rights record can be costly, thanks to the changing landscape of corporate liability and human rights. Maria Kielmas reports
OpenLink, Triple Point sign more bank clients
Rival US-based energy trading software suppliers OpenLink and Triple Point Technology (TPT) both signed big new clients this year, increasing their dominance of the energy software market for the banking sector.
Duke Energy to adopt Cinergy trading approach
Following the transfer of its energy derivatives portfolio to Barclays Capital, Duke Energy is targeting a lower-risk trading strategy pioneered by Cinergy, the company it is buying
New GlobalView head makes u-turns on hubs
Contrary to reports in September, new GlobalView chief Steve Gott says he remains committed to the Energy Data Hub and ConfirmHub ventures. Following a management overhaul, it seems it is business as usual
To build or not to build
Europe needs more power. But a lack of clear pricing signals and the unknown impact of new environmental legislation is making risk forecasting difficult, and could hinder new plant construction
BarCap takes on Duke trading book
Barclays Capital will acquire and manage the bulk of Duke Energy North America’s (DENA) power and gas derivatives contracts, as part of parent Duke Energy Corp’s takeover of US utility Cinergy.
Refco raises further concerns
As the Refco bankruptcy case rumbles on, investors are wondering if more could have been done to prevent it, and in future, are likely to seek better assurances over the security of funds in segregated customer accounts
Congestion charges
As the US' premier regional transmission organisation, PJM Interconnection's pricing and transmission congestion models must be foolproof. Sandy Fielden describes how they work and the associated risk management mechanisms available to participants
Francis Van Der Velde
Francis Van Der Velde of Brussels-based Fuel Purchasing & Consulting is more aware than most of the pain airlines are suffering
Marginal improvements
Despite reduced production in the wake of hurricane Katrina, no new US refineries are in the pipeline. Instead, refiners are operating at full tilt as they come under pressure to expand capacity. By Catherine Lacoursiere
Shelter from the storm
Energy companies are showing increased interest in hurricane derivatives, a specialist product that can provide an additional layer of protection on top of insurance. Joe Marsh reports
Finance and faith
Islamic shari’a law may prohibit interest, but far from discouraging investment, shari’a-compliant structured project finance looks set to grow – particularly in the energy arena, as Maria Kielmas reports
Taking the screen test
Screen trading is spreading faster than ever in the energy markets and market dynamics are changing as a result. Do interdealer brokers in the market see this advance as a threat or an opportunity? Stella Farrington finds out
Raising the standard
Growth in energy trading has led to a need for better standardisation of contracts and integration of exchanges and trading hubs. But more needs to be done to simplify and streamline the trading process, says Wolfgang Ferse
LCH.Clearnet launches OTC clearing for freight derivatives
LCH.Clearnet has launched an OTC clearing service for the forward freight agreements (FFAs).