Policy risk
Kuwait OPEC Minister: Oil price to drop to $60/bbl
Kuwait’s Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil minister says oil prices are set to fall further amidst continuing concerns over the global economic recovery
Shell builds shale assets despite environmental concerns
Shell's $4.7 billion shale assets purchase today flies in the face of industry concerns about the impact of tighter regulations on future production
Lynda Clemmons: weather derivatives will benefit from regulation changes
The former Enron derivatives pioneer believes forcing trades on exchanges will benefit niche players and smaller companies
Power companies to be hit by US financial reforms: expert
Senate financial reform bill could leave power companies facing major collateral problems
Financial regulatory overhaul to impact energy trading more than any other sector
The current overhaul of financial regulation will have a more profound effect on energy trading than any other sector, as ongoing challenges in energy trade confirmation will be exacerbated, says market expert
Shell Energy chief: US financial reform bill could dislocate energy prices
The newly approved US financial reform bill will have unintended consequences, which include a dislocation between supply/demand fundamentals and energy prices in the longer term, says Mark Quartermain, president of Shell Energy North America (US)
US financial overhaul, BP oil spill, augur huge changes for energy markets: Vincent Kaminski
The energy markets still face an unprecedented level of regulatory risk over the next year, as impending changes to the US financial system loom, while at the same time, BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill has presented major operational risk factors for the…
FERC inquiry to tackle price distortions
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has launched an inquiry into spot market price caps in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)
Kyoto suspension will disadvantage Bulgarian compliance companies
Bulgaria's emissions trading suspension set to impact companies trading on EU ETS
Carbon trading to be highly regulated under Senate energy bill
US senators have published a climate change bill establishing a cap-and-trade system for power plants and industrials that permits only exchange-traded and cleared transactions.
Offshore policy remains unclear after drilling ban
The full effect of the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill on US offshore drilling policy remains unclear as the official investigation continues.
Iraq seals oil deal with Kurdistan
The Iraqi government has resolved the longstanding oil dispute with Kurdistan, signalling a short-term increase in oil exports, while the prospect for a petroleum law, which would detail revenue and expense allocations for foreign energy companies in…
Duke Energy refuses to disclose cap-and-trade lobby spend
Shareholders have failed to force Duke Energy to detail its lobbying spend in support of the US Government’s carbon cap-and-trade plan.
BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill to affect EU shale gas projects
BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill will lead to approval and production delays in the European shale gas industry as governments crack down on environmental safety regulations.
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
Oil/gas price disconnect prompts calls to scrap index
The recent disconnect between oil and gas prices has once again raised the question of whether the practice of indexing gas to oil prices should be dropped, 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
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.
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…
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
Volcanic ash cloud could reduce airlines’ carbon allowances
Market experts have warned that last week’s Europe-wide flight disruptions, following the volcanic ash cloud precaution, will affect the aviation industry’s carbon allocations under the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) from 2012.
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…