Operational risk
CFTC pushes on with regulatory sweep
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) moved to increase oversight of several unregulated energy contracts today, even though broader financial reform from Congress could negate the action.
BarCap launches nine commodity ETNs
Barclays Capital launched exchange-traded notes (ETNs) in Europe on Tuesday, listing 12 new ETNs on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), consisting of nine commodity exchange-traded products and three notes linked to volatility indexes for equities.
Saudi Arabia global oil exports to wane post-2010
Saudi Arabia’s long-standing status as a swing producer of crude oil could be drawing to a close according to the head of national oil company Saudi Aramco.
OTC reform could strengthen support for energy position limits
The debate over derivatives regulation could provide momentum for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to impose position limits on energy trading proposed in January.
Experts predict wave of commodity spread ETFs
An influx of commodity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could sweep the market, after Canadian investment firm Jovian Capital Corp’s ETF unit BetaPro Management launched the first ever commodity spread ETF this month, signalling the growing range of…
Gazprom seals US LNG deal
The world’s largest natural gas company Gazprom has sealed a deal with US-based Sempra Energy that will allow Russia’s energy giant to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to another US receipt terminal and further broaden its client base and its reach in…
Reform bill passes Ag Committee before full Senate debate
The US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry has approved the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act, containing some of the strongest derivatives reforms proposed since the financial crisis.
China’s oil demand rise won’t tighten global supply
China’s apparent oil demand rose by 12.8% in March this year, following the expansion of refining capacity and rapid growth in the Chinese economy, but this does not indicate that global supply will tighten, say analysts.
Europe jet fuel price recovering as flights resume after volcanic ash ban
The Europe-wide flight ban resulting from volcanic ash clouds has cost the jet fuel market 500,000 tonnes-worth of demand this month, with logistical congestion expected to remain until the end of the week.
Volcanic ash clogs up Europe jet fuel market
European jet fuel traders are hoping for heavy rain to clear the skies of volcanic ash, after a loss of demand for a day and a half looks set to impact on prices and logistics.
Ex-RBS Sempra boss heads to UBS
UBS has hired former RBS Sempra Commodities head Kaushik Amin amid speculation that it will restart its commodities trading business
CFTC data shows speculators don't influence commodity markets
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) re-aggregated data releases show speculation has minimal impact on oil price movements, according to investment bank Credit Agricole.
IEA remains steady on global oil demand for 2010
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stuck to its previous forecast for global oil demand in 2010, following two consecutive upwards revisions, but has lowered its 2009 estimates based on adjusted official data.
Valid Assumptions Required: an analysis of VaR for energy markets
In this 10-part series, Brett Humphreys takes a fresh look at the widely used risk measure value-at-risk (VaR), urging risk managers to be more aware of the many assumptions that go into the calculation to produce the VaR number.
Clearing exemption too close to call
Exempting commercial hedgers from mandatory clearing could create a loophole for the institutional investors often blamed for driving up commodity prices, according to the chief lawyer for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Estonian bidding area paves the way for integration of Baltic power markets
Nordic power market Nord Pool Spot has introduced a bidding area to connect Estonia to the Nordic region, as part of the exchange’s plans to further integrate the Baltic power market.
JP Morgan LNG launch shows growing interest in market
JP Morgan’s move into liquefied natural gas (LNG) last week is indicative of growing interest and expectations for the future of the sector.
Talking Technicals: Nymex Gas oversold
Nymex natural gas prices are completely oversold and now is not the time to buy gas, says a market expert in Energy Risk's new show, Talking Technicals.
Cutting Edge: Pure jump models for energy prices
Université de Lausanne’s Roberto Marfè investigates pure jump processes as modelling blocks for the distributions of energy returns under the pricing measure. An easy-to-implement option-implied approach is outlined, which circumvents most of the…
Risk management in vertically integrated energy companies
Once risk management is seen as more than just a control function, the business operations of vertically integrated energy companies present numerous opportunities, especially for hedging strategies. Jaime Román and Santiago Tejero of Endesa discuss
Energy Risk - Commodity Rankings Reception - photos
Highlights from Energy Risk’s Commodity Rankings cocktail reception, held in London on February 25
Obama launches new offshore drilling plan
In a joint announcement yesterday, US President Barack Obama and secretary of the interior Ken Salazar disclosed further details of efforts to strengthen energy security.
Turning points: Chris Schlegel, risk manager with Southern Company
Chris Schlegel, risk manager with Southern Company, speaks to Lianna Brinded about the changing landscape for energy risk management amid the new global energy mix
BP and CNPC push forward in Iraq despite oil law uncertainty
BP and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) have awarded a raft of other energy and commodities companies deals to start drilling and production in the lucrative Iraqi Rumaila oilfield, which they operate, despite the current lack of a petroleum…