Operational risk
Choppy seas for shipping’s carbon scheme accord
The EU has pledged to include shipping in the EU ETS by the end of 2011 if a global scheme hasn’t been agreed on. Some shipping experts believe this could cause chaos, finds Alex Davis
Industrials to be granted OTC derivative exemptions
While the EC considers exempting non-financial energy users from clearing obligations, Katie Holliday speaks to industry experts about what impacts they think this move may have
Trading positions – May 2010
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Cutting Edge: Measuring the risk of Financial Transmission Rights
In this month’s article, Ning Zhang proposes a semi-parametric approach to calculate the risk of FTRs/TCCs portfolios whose risk is hard to capture by using standard VaR methods. The major specialties of FTRs/TCCs – such as non-normality and seasonality …
Pass the microphone: Nodal’s Cusenza to LCH.Clearnet’s Grensted
In this month’s Pass the Microphone, Paul Cusenza of Nodal Exchange puts his questions to Simon Grensted, Managing Director, Business Development, at LCH.Clearnet
The state of straight-through processing in energy markets
Integrated front- to back-office processes in energy trading still lag those of financial markets considerably, putting energy markets at a big disadvantage. Lianna Brinded takes a look at why this is the case, and whether change is on the way
New regulation could open up French power market
A slow response to the EU’s liberalisation directive has left the French power market lagging behind some European markets in terms of liquidity, but recent regulatory proposals are set to open up the market and may spell the end of regulated tariffs…
Gulf of Mexico oil spill to delay BP drilling projects
BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill could lead to production delays throughout the industry while safety regulation tightens up.
Video Q&A: GFI’s Michael Cosgrove on carbon markets
Michael Cosgrove, head of commodities and energy brokerage, North America at GFI Group – which launched its North America Environmental Products Group just over four months ago – talks to Pauline McCallion about his outlook for US carbon trading
New approaches to energy credit risk management
The aftermath of the financial crisis led to some innovative approaches to tackling energy credit risk. Pauline McCallion looks at developments and asks whether proposed US and European regulation will help or hinder innovation in this space
Oil supply outlook: Nigeria
An uptick in Nigerian oil production at the end of 2009 led to hopes of greater supply stability. However, with political uncertainty looming and attacks on oil facilities on the rise again, Lianna Brinded asks experts if they are still optimistic for…
Natural gas: a story of surplus
Oversupply in the natural gas market looks set to keep prices soft in the near term. Pauline McCallion speaks to the experts about the price outlook for this year and next and what that means for the arbitrage with oil
US power market concern over FERC credit reforms
The US FERC’s recent move to standardise credit policies across the US power market has led some participants to question the application of a ‘one size fits all’ approach across the organised wholesale markets. Pauline McCallion reports
Interview: Darrell Duffie on credit risk modelling
Stanford University’s credit risk expert, Darrell Duffie, talks with Katie Holliday about changes in the modelling of credit risk within energy markets since the financial crisis
Tackling the credit insurance challenge
Credit insurance was one of the main risks for energy buyers in 2009 and looks set to stick around in 2010. Wayne Mitchell, head of corporate sales at npower, discusses how using an energy-trading approach can help energy suppliers and customers manage…
Turning points: Catherine Flax, chief executive officer of commodities for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at JP Morgan
Catherine Flax, chief executive officer of commodities for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at JP Morgan, shares her renowned enthusiasm for the commodities sector with Lianna Brinded
Green Exchange’s London launch brings Nymex carbon products to Europe
The New York Mercantile Exchange's (Nymex) environmental products trading platform, the Green Exchange, has announced the opening of a London office, in an attempt to penetrate the European carbon space. Green Exchange International intends to list…
European oil refineries profitability to drop off
European oil refineries have little chance of making profits for companies over the next two years, despite the sector’s first quarter burst of profitability, say industry analysts.
BNP Paribas’ commodity research to triple
French investment bank BNP Paribas is set to more than triple its commodity research team, across metals, soft commodities and carbon emissions, in order to bolster its trading side as it goes on an aggressive drive to gather more hedge funds and…
Deal could trigger downgrade for E.ON US and subsidiaries
German power and gas company E.ON's decision to sell its US subsidiary to PPL Corporation for $7.625 billion has resulted in a ratings review and possible downgrade for E.ON US.
First US offshore wind farm approved
The first US offshore wind farm has been approved by the US government in an area of the Outer Continental Shelf, with the potential to eventually provide 1 million megawatts of offshore energy.
CBI: Quarter of UK power plants face closure
Independent business lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned the latest draft of the European Union Directive for Industrial Emissions could force at least a quarter of the UK’s power plants to close, which would raise a major…
FIA recommends DMA risk management controls
A Futures Industry Association (FIA) report published yesterday aims to establish best practices in managing the risk surrounding direct access to exchanges.