Operational risk
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
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…
India’s latest commodity exchange won’t compete, say experts
India's fifth commodities bourse - ACE Derivatives and Commodity Exchange - will struggle to compete with market leading platforms, say experts
A turning point for crude oil indexes
In the year since major producers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait adopted the Argus sour crude index (ASCI) as a pricing benchmark for their imports into the US, Alex Davis examines the impact the new benchmark has had on global oil pricing mechanisms
IEA: BP’s oil spill threatens future supply
The International Energy Agency (IEA) expresses major concerns over future oil supply, as new regulations threaten to tighten deepwater drilling, following BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill
Turkey power market set for expansion
Disputes with Russia have prompted Turkey to strive for energy independence, and its government has fast-tracked the liberalisation of its power markets, but there is still a long way to go before Turkey can step up and compete with other liquid European…
Singapore bids to be Asian derivatives and clearing hub
As trading regulations and central counterparty (CCP) clearing becomes a reality for the global derivatives market, Lianna Brinded investigates whether US and European firms will take their energy and commodities business to Singapore
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
LCH.Clearnet in a raft of Asia deal talks
Clearing giant LCH.Clearnet strengthens its position in Asia as it looks to seal a number of clearing deals with a raft of exchanges and other market participants
Reliance makes third US shale gas field purchase in four months for $392 million
Latest US shale gas investment from Indian energy firm Reliance as the company seeks to bolster foreign investment
Nigerian political stability boosts oil production
Nigeria’s crude oil production is on the up, after geopolitical stability hints at consistent growth, says the NNPC
NATS saves £1.7 million in hedging programme
Major end-user NATS saved £1.7 million after installing a new hedging strategy and energy risk management programme
Shale boom to continue out to 2020
New technology means the cost of shale gas production is more favourable than natural gas