Getting into the flow of it: Cuadrilla’s CEO on safety, earthquakes and political hypocrisy as the company gears up to start onshore fracking October 8, 2018 Not since the debate about nuclear power has an energy issue proven as controversial as fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, the process of blasting a mix of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth to extract shale oil and gas, has riled parliament, rallied campaigners and grabbed headlines. But ask the boss of the first company [...]
At OPEC meeting in Vienna, bickering member states to decide on raising oil production June 17, 2018 The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will meet in Vienna this week, with members split on whether to end its production freeze. Oil prices soared last month, and are still up at $76 per barrel, more than double what they were when the group introduced a cap on production in 2016. Brent crude hit [...]
Oil and gas add to current market worries June 18, 2018 Recent rises in the oil and gas price worry some in the markets. Will they trigger more inflation? Will there be supply interruptions given the US wish to sanction Iran, given the troubles in Venezuela, and the growing hostility of the West towards Russia? We think there are stresses, but not ones which need become [...]
Aluminium price and nickel price continue to surge on Russia sanction fears April 19, 2018 Metals markets have rallied today as pressure from US sanctions on Russia and rising oil prices boost commodities to multi-year highs. Aluminium giant Rusal continues to feel the heat from sanctions issued earlier this month to target Russian oligarchs and the companies they control. The metal rose to highs not seen since 2011 today while [...]
BP expected to record a surge in first quarter profits on back of rising oil prices April 29, 2018 BP is expected to be the latest beneficiary of the surge in oil prices, with City analysts expecting first quarter profits to show a healthy year-on-year increase. The oil giant’s full-year results released earlier this year showed the company was already in a strong position, with profits coming in at $6.2bn (£4.4bn). Boss Bob Dudley [...]
US dollar tumbles as pound hit two-week high of $1.42 (GPDUSD) April 11, 2018 The US dollar is trading at nearly its lowest point in two weeks, after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to cut import tariffs, easing concerns about a US-China trade confrontation. Meanwhile, sterling continues to rally, hitting a two-week high to trade at $1.42. The dollar dropped against a basket of six major currencies, down to [...]
Russian rouble (RUB) and stocks (Moex and RTS) down with US poised to reveal fresh sanctions April 16, 2018 The rouble and Russian shares have retreated today on the threat of fresh US sanctions. Sanctions targeting some of Russia’s most prominent tycoons dragged Russia’s currency down and battered some of its top companies last week. Yesterday, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, warned a wave of new sanctions were on the way [...]
Don’t turn off the UK’s gas supplies, embrace shale May 21, 2018 For far too long we have debated what our energy mix should look like, all the while crucially missing the most important point: the UK has become a nation that imports its energy, reducing its energy security, shunning UK job opportunities and missing out on tax revenue, as other countries reap those rewards. We have [...]
Britain may be left out in the cold over Russia row March 20, 2018 As Britain froze again over the weekend thanks to the mini Beast from the East, another chill wind blew across Europe from Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected with more than 76 per cent of the vote and immediately ratcheted up the war of words between his country and Britain. Mr Putin’s victory in [...]
The Russian rouble (RUB) is falling further as pressures mount over US sanctions and Syria April 11, 2018 The Russian rouble fell for a third day today as the fallout from new US sanctions continued to heap pressure on Russian companies and markets. After dropping around eight per cent since the start of the week, the rouble shed nearly a further three per cent this afternoon, with one dollar buying 65 roubles at [...]