Energy Risk
UK to focus on smart grids and nuclear power
Big investments into UK smart grids, offshore wind farms under the Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) scheme and nuclear power are on the agenda for both the Labour and Conservative parties in the run-up to the UK elections, as the country looks to…
Energy Risk: What's coming next?
Energy Risk brings you a snapshot of what's moving and shaking the markets with a special look at the continuing impact of the financial crisis on utilities.
US carbon experts see significant impetus for federal cap-and-trade
Experts remain optimistic about federal cap-and-trade legislation in the US, but believe regional schemes can step into the breach if a bill is not passed by the US Congress.
BP and Devon team up to develop oil sands play
BP and Devon Energy have entered into a joint venture that will use the latter’s in-situ production expertise to develop BP’s Kirby oil sands leases in Alberta, Canada.
IEA revises China oil outlook for 2010
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised its global oil demand forecast for the second time this year, following a double digit upwards surge in China’s year-on-year apparent oil demand in January.
Forestry project launched under new offset protocol
Project developer Finite Carbon has announced details of a new Improved Forest Management (IFM) project in Tennessee that could generate several hundred thousand of carbon offsets over the next 100 years.
CME launches crude palm oil contract
A dollar-denominated, cash-settled crude palm oil futures contract will begin trading on CME Globex on May 23, 2010 under a partnership between CME Group and Bursa Malaysia.
Russia plans pipeline to speed oil feed to China
Russia will start construction on a $1.34 billion oil pipeline link this week, in order to speed up its delivery of crude supplies to China.
CFTC and Ferc continue turf war over transmission rights
Wholesale electricity market participants yesterday called for an exemption for energy end-users from legislation that could see the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) increase its jurisdictional powers over the sector.
EC’s Nabucco pipeline payout a small step in right direction
The European Commission’s announcement of a €200 million payout to the Nabucco pipeline has been welcomed by European utilities, but some experts point out it is only a tiny fraction of the estimated total cost of €7.9 billion.
Carbon traders foresee lacklustre market in 2010
Optimism in the carbon market has been curbed by the disappointing results of the Copenhagen climate change meeting in December 2009 and traders now expect muted market activity in 2010.
US coal states rally against EPA’s greenhouse gases plan
US senator John Rockefeller of West Virginia introduced legislation today to suspend potential Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources for two years.
Energy Risk's Software Survey and Rankings 2010
Over two-thirds of the respondents to Energy Risk’s 2010 Software Survey say they will be investing in new systems this year, despite the economic downturn. The survey also reveals which systems are preferred by industry participants. Lianna Brinded…
Trading positions – March 2010
Energy Risk catches up with the latest appointments, promotions and departures in global commodity markets
Iraq: the new hope for oil supply security?
As international oil companies wade into Iraq, forecasts for Iraqi production now stand as high as 10 million b/d within the decade. However political uncertainty and poor infrastructure leads analysts to caution against relying on Iraq as the next hope…
Tres Amigas could play same role as Henry Hub
Transmission issues continue to dog US green energy revolution. Connecting the three major grids aims to allow renewable energy to be shipped between states, writes Pauline McCallion
Gazprom sates China demand at US expense?
As Gazprom forms closer ties with China for the sale of its gas, Lianna Brinded asks whether the US could soon be forced to pay higher prices for its gas imports
Tradition Re's Dutch auction hedges 2010 hurricane risk
Tradition Re, the US reinsurance division of interdealer broker Tradition, has completed a Dutch auction on behalf of a reinsurer aiming to hedge risk during the 2010 hurricane season in Florida.
UN seeks alternatives to CDM
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects will not ultimately deliver, so the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) CDM Executive Board is looking at alternative mechanisms to implement beyond 2012, said Martin Hession, who is…
What next for hedge funds in energy?
Hedge funds, which fled the energy markets post-financial crisis, began returning steadily in the second half of 2009. However the influx stopped abruptly at the start of this year. Rachel Morison looks at what’s next for energy hedge funds in the short…