Operational risk
European power: Market coupling initiatives spread
In this introduction to Energy Risk’s series on European power markets, Rachel Morison and Katie Holliday look at cross-border integration in Europe, with a focus on the latest market coupling initiatives, asking what’s needed to extend the initiative…
Natural gas: a global market?
Greater correlation between UK and US natural gas prices is reflecting a shift in global supply and demand fundamentals, which could offer significant new arbitrage opportunities for traders. Pauline McCallion finds out if such a change could be permanent
The risk of getting compliance wrong
A wave of investigations and prosecutions in recent years has driven many top energy players from the business. With regulators’ power set to increase, getting compliance right is now more important than ever. In the first of a two-part series, Michael…
Russian power futures to launch Q1 2010
Russian power exchange Arena is set to launch new power derivatives contracts by the end of Q1 2010. Rachel Morison reports on the expected implications for power risk hedging
Trading positions
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Price rise fails to eliminate Alcoa's losses
A 9% rise in aluminium prices in the final quarter of 2009 failed to boost Alcoa’s results yesterday, which showed narrowed, but continued, losses due to “significant energy and currency headwinds”.
Deutsche Bank: Threats to commodities on horizon
Deutsche Bank sees the commodities market threatened towards the end of the year, when authorities aim to remove monetary and fiscal stimulus, despite seeing a renewed set of inflows in the sector in 2010.
Four charged with carbon trading fraud in Belgium
Four people have been formally charged by the Belgian authorities for money laundering, in an investigation into fraudulent trading in carbon emissions permits, according the Reuters news agency.
Saxo Bank: Oil to fall to $40 in 2010
Oil prices are set to tumble to $40 per barrel (bbl) by the end of 2010, following spare capacity “sloshing around” in the world energy system and despite physical oil nearing peak production, says trading and investment house Saxo Bank. However, longer…
Google applies for power marketer status
Google Energy, a subsidiary of the internet search engine, has submitted an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) for market-based rate authority.
UK gas markets to eye US for LNG supply
Transatlantic arbitrage could be on the horizon for the UK, after the manager of UK’s natural gas network National Grid, issued its second gas balancing alert this winter to address the shortfall of supplies from Norway.
LNG experts confident that Asia will take on Australian supply
PetroChina’s cancellation of its deal with Australia liquefied natural gas developer Woodside Petroleum is not indicative of a reduction in LNG demand from Asia, say experts.
Nodal Exchange offers first real-time LMP contracts
Nodal Exchange launched eight contracts today, its first to settle against real-time Locational Marginal Price (LMP).
Gensler calls for tighter regulation of dealers
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman Gary Gensler refused to detail a timetable for imposing position limits on energy traders today, but called for tighter regulation of dealers in over-the-counter derivatives.
Cold snap highlights UK’s gas storage tightness
UK gas prices have risen following severe winter weather, prompting experts to renew calls for increased storage capacity and a more diversified energy supply.
Total takes $2.25bn stake in US shale
The joint venture agreed by Total and Chesapeake in December could lead to further North American shale deals and signals Total’s desire to develop its unconventional resources worldwide.
First snowfall trade cleared on CME
Choice Environmental, a portfolio company of OTC Global Holdings (OTCGH), has brokered the first CME-cleared snowfall hedging risk instrument – a snowfall binary option contract for Detroit.
Russia/Belarus crisis not expected to affect oil market in the longer term
Russia’s halt in crude oil supplies to Belarus, which is providing some support to the oil complex today (January 4), is not expected to have a big impact on the global market, say analysts.
Commodity investor sentiment positive, BarCap survey reveals
Barclays Capital’s fifth annual commodities investor survey reveals positive sentiment towards commodity investing.
SGX steps ups offering to compete with SMX
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) will introduce a fresh range of commodity products in the first quarter of 2010.