A look at the sharp drop in EU carbon prices, and major drivers in the market, kicks off our selection of energy and commodity market trends this week. Plus, the OPEC+ rollback of production cuts, US LNG exports, and a new record for Texas peakload power demand.
Platts Insight: the essential perspective on global commodities
 
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July 17, 2020 12:25 UTC 
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In recent years Russia has moved to expand its role in African commodities industries, aiming to build on a legacy of Soviet influence to gain greater access to the continent’s natural resources. Traditionally, Russian companies have operated in both sub-Saharan and North Africa, working in gold, gem, manganese and bauxite mining, as well as on oil, gas and nuclear projects. |
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July 15, 2020 11:56 UTC
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Edgare Kerkwijk spoke to S&P Global Platts Senior Editor Sambit Mohanty on how hydrogen is garnering attention among policy makers and industry leaders in Asia as the region prepares for energy transition. Kerkwijk is a member of the board of the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Association, a regional industry platform that aims to promote the interests of the hydrogen sector. Its members include utilities, power project developers, equipment manufacturers, technical consultants and financial institutions. |
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July 14, 2020 15:03 UTC
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Fewer Bakken crude exports, shifting pipeline flows, lower production and dramatic pricing fluctuations are all possible repercussions of a federal court ruling handed down that the main artery out the Williston Basin, the Dakota Access Pipeline, will be shut and emptied by August 5. Uncertainty has clouded Bakken crude oil trading in recent days as traders and marketers currently buying and selling August barrels have been forced to seek alternative transportation methods and operate on the assumption that DAPL could be shut, barring any developments in a fast-moving appeals process. Although it is still possible for the decision to be reversed, many market participants are already bracing for a future without DAPL. |
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July 14, 2020 09:10 UTC
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The tanker markets experienced an extremely volatile second quarter as the coronavirus pandemic threw all oil-related markets off-kilter, with rates on some routes swiveling from record-highs to record-lows in just a matter of months. But with the oil market gradually rebalancing and the summer lull kicking in, freight rates are likely to stay largely steady and soft in the coming months. And according to S&P Global Platts Analytics, freight rates on the dirty tankers’ market will likely remain under pressure until OPEC+ cuts are reversed. |
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July 13, 2020 09:38 UTC
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Revisions of future oil and gas price assumptions by oil majors are in focus this week, along with the outlook for European power demand and sales on Gazprom’s ESP platform. In Asia, we take a look at South Korean refiners’ crude preferences and the prospects for commodity demand in China. |
 
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July 10, 2020 07:15 UTC
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Clean hydrogen, renewables, batteries, and carbon capture and storage are among the energy transition technologies set to benefit from billions of euros of public funding as the EU seeks to become climate neutral by 2050. Much of this is to come from the European Commission’s proposed Eur750 billion ($852 billion) “green” recovery plan, which needs unanimous approval from the EU’s 27 national governments to go ahead. |
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July 9, 2020 07:40 UTC
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As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic fallout, industries of all types face the urgent challenge of securing their short-term financial future. But the debate about environmental, social and governance concerns has been far from drowned out by the global health crisis, even taking on new meaning as companies’ responsibilities toward worker and community health came to the fore. |
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July 8, 2020 06:45 UTC
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The coronavirus has dealt the European steel sector a heavy blow. Coming on the heels of Brexit and global trade tensions, the crisis has also highlighted the region’s overcapacity problem, raising the possibility of previous merger and divestment plans being revived. As much as 18.9 million mt of steelmaking capacity was taken offline in Europe during the market slump caused by the pandemic – more than in any other region. This comes on top of 2019’s marginal contraction in production. |
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July 7, 2020 07:15 UTC
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China might lead the world in battery vehicles, but until recently it was a relative laggard in hydrogen. Now, it’s catching up. According to the China Hydrogen Alliance, a government-supported industry group that promotes the use of hydrogen, China built 38 new hydrogen refueling stations in 2019, meaning that by the end of the year China had a total of 66 hydrogen refueling facilities, 46 of which were operational. The government is targeting 300 HRS across the country by 2025. |