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Latest Commodity Pulse Videos

Coal

Low calorific value coal and the China ban

May 23, 2013 11:00:00 EST (4:43 mins)

James O’Connell, Editor-in-Chief of coal, takes a closer look at the growth in Indonesia's thermal coal and how its lower calorific coal exports are affecting international trading patterns.

China Coal Dynamics

April 26, 2013 12:00:00 EST (4:18 mins)

James O’Connell, Editor-in-Chief of coal, looks at the latest customs statistics data from China, explores recent supply/demand trends and discusses recent price movements which includes fresh news of potential defaults in the Asia Pacific market.

Electric Power

California's summer electric power outlook

May 21, 2013 14:00:00 EST (11:21 mins)

In this video, Martin Coyne and John Kingston, explain how less runoff from snowpack to "fuel" California's hydropower and the indefinite loss of the San Onofre nuclear plant could mean that California power supply may be stretched to its limits this summer. The state seems to be in faring okay so far, but the weather and California’s economy played key roles last year and will do so again.

Energy security: Europe at the crossroads

February 21, 2013 08:20:00 EST (17:07 mins)

In this video Richard Swann, John Roberts and Henry Edwardes Evans discuss how despite recent falls in power demand, Europe is undergoing a huge period of change regarding its energy portfolio; why the "golden age of gas" has not transpired; why coal has become unexpectedly competitive; and whether a sudden upturn in demand could expose deep rooted supply and infrastructural issues.

Natural Gas

US natural gas market sees inventories fall below the 5-year average

May 9, 2013 12:00:00 EST (10:03 mins)

In this video, Jeff Mower and Samantha Santa Maria, discuss US natural gas prices having risen considerably in 2013, as winter demand has reduced inventories. Whereas the market appeared to be glutted last year, inventories are now below the 5-year average.

Major pipeline projects in energy-hungry Asia

April 5, 2013 19:15:00 EST (12:58 mins)

As energy-hungry Asia continues to look for new oil and gas supplies and security of supply, Platts Asia oil news team analyzes the significance of two major pipeline projects that have grabbed headlines; one being the twin pipelines running across Myanmar into China, and the Peace Project, aimed at carrying gas from Iran to Pakistan.

Petrochemicals

Feedstock shift for olefins production and its impact

May 2, 2013 16:00:00 EST (05:30 mins)

As America drives to develop shale gas aggressively, its impact on the asian petrochemicals industry remains a hot topic of interest. In this video, Platts Asia petrochemical team assesses the impact of shale gas development on olefins production and other alternative feedstocks producers are looking at.

Biofuels evolution: market growth, controversy & protectionism

September 14, 2012 09:30:00 EST (14:33 mins)

First generation biofuel markets are moving steadily towards maturity. In this video Richard Swann, Guilherme Kfouri & Maria Tsay analyze the key factors behind the growth of biofuels, including government mandates and security of supply issues.

Metals

Global Market Outlook: "Over-production" is the big fear in all regions - and may be holding steel prices down

May 7, 2013 11:30:00 EST (5:28 mins)

In this latest video, Mark Wiggett, editor for Platts Global Market Outlook, looks at the market for April as sentiment in China turned down, leading to lower steel prices in China and the Asian region.

Aluminum & steel: the battle for automotive market share

April 29, 2013 10:20:00 EST (10:54 mins)

In this video Richard Swann, Emanuele Norsa and Greg Smart discuss the impact of European Commission environmental regulation on the aluminum, and steel industries attempts to command the lion's share of the lucrative automotive market; and the downward trends in aluminum, and hot and cold roll steel markets seen over the last 18 months.

Oil

Price volatility in ethanol Renewable Identification Numbers

April 24, 2013 15:00:00 EST (14:41 mins)

In this video Beth Evans and John Kingston discuss the US government wanting to see increased ethanol use, but the limitation in doing so shows up in a volatile price for Renewable Identification Numbers, so-called RINs, which were designed to make the market work easier but are now being seen as a huge cost for consumers.

Major pipeline projects in energy-hungry Asia

April 5, 2013 19:15:00 EST (12:58 mins)

Shipping

Global oil shippers adrift on troubled seas

June 19, 2012 13:00:00 EST (13:27 mins)

Though posterity may declare recent years a "boom time" for the oil industry, shipping is one sector where this statement would largely not apply. In this videoRichard Swann and Simon Thorne and Ellie Weir discuss how oil shippers across the globe are coping with falling demand & a huge over-supply of vessels, & changing trading flows.