Energy Risk/News
Oil price of $70-80/bbl expected in 2010
Oil prices are expected to remain between $70 and $80 per barrel (bbl) this year, according to a consensus of industry experts speaking at the IP Week conference in London.
Iraq's capacity puts pressure on oil prices
The recovery of Iraq’s oil industry is putting downward pressure on global oil prices as the ability of the world market to absorb the extra capacity might be limited, say oil experts.
JP Morgan and RBS Sempra Commodities agree $1.7bn deal
RBS Sempra Commodities has sold its global oil, global metals, and European power and gas assets to JP Morgan for $1.7 billion.
China seen overtaking US as biggest oil importer in 2-3 years
“In two to three years, China will be the largest global importer of crude oil,” Jorge Montepeque, global director of market reports for Platts, said at today’s Global Outlook for Oil event during IP Week.
China forces IEA to boost oil demand forecast
Higher-than-expected demand from China and other Asian countries has forced the International Energy Agency (IEA) to revise up its global oil demand forecast for 2010 by 120,000 barrels a day (b/d) to 86.5 million b/d.
Iraq adopts new pricing for US crude
Somo, the Iraqi state-owned oil marketing firm, has followed in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait by adopting the Argus Sour Crude Index (ASCI) to benchmark price sales of US-bound crude from April onwards.
FirstEnergy and Allegheny announce $8.5bn merger
FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy have announced an $8.5 billion stock-for-stock merger transaction that would create a diversified generation portfolio including 2,200 megawatts (MW) of renewables.
State drops out of regional carbon trading scheme
Arizona has pulled out of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade scheme over fears it would put the state at a competitive disadvantage.
Citi names new global commodities head
Stuart Staley has taken over as Citigroup’s global head of commodities, as the bank aims to boost the business by 30-40% over the next three years.
Gazprom sells US LNG to China
Russian energy company Gazprom has shipped 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China, as the US gas market has an unfavourable pricing environment, says Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman of Gazprom’s management committee and director…
LME Asia to open in April
The London Metal Exchange (LME) has confirmed it will be opening its Singapore office in April this year.
CFTC to open risk management office
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will use funding under the Obama Administration’s new budget to create two offices focusing on risk management.
Obama admits Senate may need to drop carbon trading
US President Barack Obama has acknowledged the potential need to strip cap and trade out of US energy legislation currently being re-drafted in the US Senate in order to pass the bill.
CFTC: Ice compliance staff under “strain”
The IntercontinentalExchange (Ice) Futures US compliance team has been under “strain” and should hire additional staff, according to a recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) review.
More legislation threatens EPA regulation of GHGs
The chairman of the US House Agriculture Committee has introduced bipartisan legislation designed to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Obama boosts biofuels and clean coal
US President Barack Obama has announced a series of measures designed to boost biofuel production and reduce US dependence on foreign oil.
Markets shaken by emissions trading certificate hackers
Market participants are worried they could be holding fraudulent European Union carbon allowances (EUA), after computer hackers launched an alleged phishing attack on the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt).
EIA eyes Brazil for non-Opec supply growth
Brazil could be the largest source of non- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) oil and liquids supply growth between 2009 and 2011, with an annual production expected to increase by 410,000 barrels per day (b/d) within this period, says…
N2EX trades £12.7 million in three weeks
N2EX, the recently launched marketplace for physical UK power contracts, has traded £12.7 million’s worth of day-ahead and prompt contracts combined in the first three weeks since its opening.