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May 2012

US oil refining outlook: closures, acquisitions & Delta's surprise deal

May 16, 2012 15:30:00 EST (11:50 mins)

Following months of poor refining margins along the Atlantic Basin, which forced the closure of several plants, some refiners have been making a comeback in recent weeks. John Kingston and Jeff Mower discuss what drove refining margins so low to begin with, and what it might take for refiners fortunes to improve in the month's ahead.

April 2012

State of plays: Argentina, Repsol & the rise of energy nationalism

April 27, 2012 09:30:00 EST (14:27 mins)

The Argentinian government's decision to re-nationalize the Repsol-owned YPF has exposed the ongoing battle between public and national oil & gas companies. Richard Swann and Robert Perkins and William Powell debate the nationalisation of energy.

March 2012

The ever-changing oil markets: a look behind the headline-grabbing prices

March 28, 2012 12:30:00 EST (15:18 mins)

With the Brent crude oil price caught between the immovable object of struggling global economies, and the irresistible force of geo-politics and civil unrest, Richard Swann and Geoff King analyze the key price movements for oil in 2012.

February 2012

Russia: the oil & gas superpower looks east

February 15, 2012 12:30:00 EST (11:22 mins)

Amidst upcoming presidential elections, and questions being raised over its ability to supply Europe with gas, Richard Swann, Stuart Elliott and William Powell discuss how energy giant Russia is turning its focus to key Asian oil & gas markets.

January 2012

Renewables revolution: Europe leads the way

January 18, 2012 12:30:00 EST (13:36 mins)

Renewable energy's share of the generation mix, already substantial in several European countries, is rising fast. Richard Swann, David Jones and Henry Edwardes-Evans discuss the rate of progress for wind, solar and other renewables sources towards the holy grail of 'grid parity'.

December 2011

2011: A momentous year for oil

December 7, 2011 11:30:00 EST (13:01 mins)

As the year draws to a close, the Dated Brent crude price is at a historic average high of around $110 barrel. Richard Swann, Joel Hanley and Simon Thorne analyze the fundamental factors that have sustained these high prices, including the looming prospect of conflict with Iran.

November 2011

Top 250 Energy Company Rankings analysis: 'Big Oil' dominates, but Asia steals the show

November 2, 2011 14:00:00 EST (12:46 mins)

Richard Swann, Ross McCracken, & Robert Perkins take an in-depth look at Platts Top 250 rankings for 2011, including the continuing rise of both Asian and Eastern European energy companies.

October 2011

Divergence in global natural gas prices

October 4, 2011 11:30:00 EST (13:37 mins)

With natural gas prices between the United States, Europe & Asia at comparative extremes, Richard Swann, Stuart Elliott and William Powell analyze why a truly global gas market has thus far failed to materialize, despite both growing demand and growing production of transportable LNG.

September 2011

Libya, Syria and the oil market

September 12, 2011 11:30:00 EST (14:16 mins)

As the conflict in Libya winds down and sanctions against Syria take hold Richard Swann, Margaret McQuaile and Tim Worledge discuss how insurgency, political instability and infrastructural damage could provide obstacles to the quick resumption of oil output in Libya.

August 2011

What's driving China's energy commodities boom?

August 3, 2011 12:00:00 EST (14:02 mins)

With the US & Europe continuing to face economic difficulties, Platts managing editors Richard Swann, James O'Connell, & Ross McCracken focus on the unceasing growth, and thirst for commodities, of Asia's financial powerhouse - China.

June 2011

Fukushima & Europe: nuclear dominates debate, but deeper issues are at play

June 29, 2011 12:30:00 EST (14:00 mins)

Nuclear power may have seized the headlines, but in this video, Platts editors Richard Swann, Rachel Morison and Henry Edwardes-Evans discuss the reality of the European power picture; how the single greatest challenge remains the expansion and development of grids and interconnections.

May 2011

Where now for trading giant Glencore after landmark IPO?

May 24, 2011 10:15:00 EST (10:56 mins)

In this Platts video, managing editors Richard Swann, Andy Blamey and Joel Hanley discuss the outlook for Glencore, whose initial public offering (IPO) on May 24 saw them become just the third company - and the first in 25 years - to enter the FTSE 100 Index on its first day of trading