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Corporate and markets

Analysis

A two-track energy business
There’s a growing divide between big firms and smaller players in the oil and gas sector, and nowhere is that gap more evident than in access to finance, writes NJ Watson
Ecuador’s oil industry struggling to find its way
America’s missing barrels
It’s a mystery worthy of a detective novel: as US consumption patterns have changed, an estimated 4 million barrels a day of the country’s oil demand has simply vanished. Shaun Polczer investigates
REPORT CARD: Lukoil's ambitious plans face execution risk
Russia’s second-largest oil producer has high hopes for its future growth, but there are difficulties ahead, writes NJ Watson
India’s gas prices: two systems, one country
Back to the future for US oil
US shale derails Australian LNG plans
US LNG exporters are using cheap shale gas to undercut Australia’s coal-bed methane, threatening billions of dollars in infrastructure investment, writes Kwok W Wan
Iraq's devils lie in the details
Iraqi oil production is rising, offering hope to the global market. But until the country resolves its political and logistical problems that optimism may prove misplaced, writes Derek Brower
Has Chesapeake’s bubble burst?
Chesapeake Energy was a pioneer of the US unconventionals rush, but as gas prices continue to plunge, the firm’s position looks increasingly difficult, writes NJ Watson
WTI’s structural shift
Don’t write off the US, its oil benchmark, or its currency just yet. The country’s role in the global oil market, said since 2007 to be losing its significance, will be decisive again, says Derek Brower
A real threat to oil markets
Iran’s nuclear ambition remains a threat to global oil markets, but not because of sanctions on its crude exports, writes Derek Brower
Sowing the seeds of demand destruction
With Brent trading at an 18-month high, the oil market’s bulls appear to have good reasons to celebrate. But the long-term outlook is far more troubling. A steep correction is on the cards, writes Derek Brower
It’s hard being Gazprom
Europe’s big freeze – and Gazprom’s inability to meet the spike in gas demand – illustrates the challenges and inherent complexities the Russian gas firm faces, writes NJ Watson
Screw tightens on European refining
Petroplus collapsed into administration in January, dashing hopes for the low-cost business model favoured by the independents and underlining the troubles in Europe's refining sector, Martin Quinlan writes
Woodside’s triple LNG trial
With three LNG-export projects in the pipeline, Australia’s Woodside faces some tough decisions as costs and complications escalate, reports Damon Evans
A new reality for Gazprom
Hurting customers and low gas demand, mean Gazprom must accept changes to its contract terms
Saudi Arabia’s juggling act
The kingdom is poised to play a key role in shaping this year’s oil market, but it must maintain a delicate balance between global and domestic demands. James Gavin reports
Chipping away at Gazprom’s contracts
With demand in its largest market declining, Gazprom is making price concessions to its big European gas customers. Will its passion for oil-indexed prices be next to succumb, asks Kwok W Wan
A bigger Kinder Morgan
One of Kinder Morgan’s corporate mottos is "keep it simple". Yet its planned take-over of El Paso is proving anything but. NJ Watson reports
Durban: now for the hard part
Global leaders agreed – yet again – that reaching a new climate deal is crucial to fight global warming. But will there be action to give substance to the talk? Ian Lewis reports
Tanker firms batten down the hatches
A year of survival and consolidation lies ahead, with over-capacity hanging over the oil-shipping industry, writes Ian Lewis
The Hormuz red herring
Talk of conflict in the Strait of Hormuz misses the real threat to the global oil market, says Derek Brower
Hormuz: the world's LNG choke point
How, if at all, asks Kwok W Wan, would shutting the Strait of Hormuz affect European gas and Asian LNG prices?

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Latest issue: May 2012

Japan’s bitter pill

The Japanese government has declared two reactors safe to restart. Now it must convince a traumatised Japanese public that nuclear remains the best route to recovery.

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