Policy risk
Brazil energy appeals to investors but many hurdles remain
Brazil’s expected rise as a major global energy supplier has been one of the biggest stories of the past decade. Although one of the most politically stable emerging market economies, doing business there is still fraught with difficulties. Alex Davis…
Q&A: Shell Energy North America's president, Frans Everts
After being appointed president of Shell Energy North America last June, Frans Everts is now getting to grips with both new markets and new regulations. He talks to Pauline McCallion about the Dodd-Frank Act and his outlook for natural gas and carbon…
The rise of sovereign commodity risk management
The unprecedented commodity price volatility of the past four years has led to a surge of interest from governments in risk management strategies. Investment banks are in talks with sovereigns worldwide on setting up financial hedges, and say uptake is…
More obligations for energy firms under EU's MAD revisions
With the scope of the Market Abuse Directive set to widen to cover OTC commodities, energy companies could be subject to far greater disclosure obligations, finds Jay Maroo
Energy Risk Asia: Dodd-Frank could hit Asian energy firms hard
Panellists at the Energy Risk Asia conference voice concerns over the extraterritorial implications of the Dodd-Frank Act
Airlines face 82-million tonne shortfall of carbon allowances in 2012
The commercial airline sector will have to buy 82 million tonnes of carbon allowances next year in addition to free allowances, according to an aviation consultancy
Rule could make OTC-cleared energy contracts 'endangered species': O’Malia
CFTC commissioner renews support for over-the-counter energy clearing tool in the face of new Dodd-Frank rules that could affect operation
Shell Energy chief calls for regulatory data confidentiality rules
The confidentiality of energy trading data provided to regulators for market monitoring purposes continues to concern market players and regulators alike, after August leak by senator Sanders
Carbon tax here to stay: Alberta energy minister
Alberta, Canada, home to the world’s third largest oil reserves, will await further federal government moves before upping its own emissions limits or developing a carbon cap-and-trade scheme
Q&A: Gerardo Rodriguez, Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit
Gerardo Rodriguez, deputy finance minister at Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, speaks about the government’s oil price hedging strategy
Mexico’s hedging programme gears up for 2012
This week Mexico’s Congress will begin to debate the price at which the country hedges its oil exports next year
US energy security risk is rising, index warns
The risks facing US energy security are increasing, according to an index published by the US Chamber of Commerce
Profile: Cadwalader's Gregory Mocek
Former US CFTC director of enforcement, Gregory Mocek, speaks to Pauline McCallion about the new regulatory environment and his lifelong interest in commodities
Are ETRM systems ready for more reporting?
What will new reporting requirements mean for energy trading technology and is there anything energy companies can do now to develop Dodd-Frank-friendly infrastructure? Pauline McCallion finds out
US cap-and-trade: efforts to standardise agreeements
California’s carbon cap-and-trade scheme is powering ahead despite early opposition and is now on course to begin in 2012. Pauline McCallion looks at efforts to standardise trading agreements and provide hedging capabilities ahead of the start date
UK electricity market reform ‘could deter investment’
A recent proposal to implement a capacity mechanism in the UK has sparked concern that government intervention could stifle infrastructure development.
US power transmission rule satisfies the market, for now
Ferc’s new interstate transmission rule addresses regional planning and cost allocation concerns, but there could be more controversy to come. Pauline McCallion reports
Sean Corrigan talks emerging market risks
Diapason Commodities's Sean Corrigan discusses Chinese hard landings, Mena unrest, the role of Opec, quantitative easing and the likely market reactions to a Greek default
US power bodies call for clarity on Dodd-Frank “swap” definition
More guidance is needed from the CFTC on the definition of a swap, according to Ferc and other industry associations concerned about regulatory overlap
EC’s Capital Requirements Directive deemed “detrimental” to energy trading
The revised proposal for the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) presented by the European Commission (EC) on July 20 has sparked serious concerns among energy companies, traders and exchanges
Texas could face power shortages due to new EPA rule: ERCOT
Pollution rule could impact long-term ERCOT reliability and create additional costs as power plants devote resources to understanding the new system, ERCOT warns
Updated: Renewables groups urge Lords to wave through feed-in tariff cuts
Industry associations urge House of Lords not to reignite feed-in tariff row
Regulator strengthens enforcement authority
CFTC finalises new Dodd-Frank anti-manipulation rule but energy experts continue to question its value
FERC requirements “burdensome & potentially misleading”
A move to boost the electricity market’s transparency through additional data reporting has drawn criticism and raised questions about the FERC’s focus. Pauline McCallion reports