In one of the more honest assessments of current Saudi Arabian oil policy, Rice University’s Jim Krane said there are several plausible reasons behind the Saudis’ apparently sanguine approach to falling global oil prices, but only a few within the Kingdom really know. “If you’re somebody who looks at geopolitics and energy, you could come… Keep reading →
While oil prices have stabilized for the moment and associated doomsday scenarios have slowed, here’s a detailed analysis of the interplay between various commodity prices and some of the investment decisions petrochemical companies, producers and LNG businesses face. “Indeed, even international buyers of natural gas were aggressively pursuing hub based gas pricing contracts with view… Keep reading →
A mixture of supply/demand fundamentals and economic indicators are pushing down prices for global benchmark crude grade Brent. The EIA concisely describes current global crude oil market dynamics in its Today in Energy brief. [EIA] Oil market observers are buzzing with theories seeking to explain why Saudi Arabia cut official selling prices for its crude… Keep reading →
A theory emerged to explain the appearance of a massive crater in Russia’s hydrocarbon-rich Yamal Peninsula that has climate-change observers extremely concerned. Analysts have long known that Russia’s energy future lies beneath the frozen ground of Yamal and independent producer Novatek is building a large LNG export project now with the help of French oil… Keep reading →
The complex natural gas flaring issue associated with producing crude oil and other higher-value liquids from the Bakken Shale formation is back in the news as companies seek to address royalty payments owed for certain volumes of that flared gas. There appears to be some legal uncertainty regarding whether companies owe money to royalty owners… Keep reading →
Energy consumers often seek similar goals when sourcing supply: Reliable, clean and cheap. The European Union is no exception and a new energy strategy document drafted in the wake of Gazprom’s latest natural gas supply cutoff reiterates that goal. “We must avoid Europe relying to such a high extent on fuel and gas imports. To… Keep reading →
Renewable energy sources grew significantly last year according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2014, a widely-accepted energy data source, but coal use plugged along with global coal consumption as a share of total global energy consumption at its highest level since 1970. “Demand from renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, rose… Keep reading →
As militants spilling over from Syria advance toward Baghdad, oil traders are jittery and market observers are trying to evaluate the level of risk posed to Iraq’s main southern oil export facilities. Analyst Michael Lynch proposed potential oil price scenarios that range from relatively minor geopolitical risk premiums to more severe spikes that could see… Keep reading →
Hedge funds are pulling out of bets that crude oil prices will rise in the short to medium term. With the market currently well supplied, investors are increasingly taking futures and options positions that could be profitable if oil prices decline further. “Money managers cut net-long positions, or wagers on rising prices, for benchmark West… Keep reading →
Four oil traders are claiming in a lawsuit that they can prove that BP, Statoil and Shell conspired with Morgan Stanley and trading firms such as Vitol to manipulate Brent crude prices. The traders say that the three oil companies placed orders to move markets, rather than buy crude. “Platts’ methodology ‘can be easily gamed… Keep reading →
