September 2007

Main

Publisher's Note

Patsy Wurster

Welcome to the inaugural 2008 Asia Energy Outlook issue of Platts Insight. This issue reaches more than 10,000 industry professionals and financiers in Asia, North America, Europe and the entire Pacific Rim region. The 2008 Asia Energy Outlook gives you critical insight from the industry's most trusted information source, Platts. Read More

Guest Editor's Note

Martin Daniel

The Asian energy landscape has been transformed over the past decade. In 1997 the Asian financial crisis saw much of the regional banking system implode as companies with weak credit standing defaulted on loans extended more often than not with a political agenda in view. And the upshot was that more than two decades of relentless growth in economic activity and energy demand first came to an abrupt halt and then went into sharp reverse. Read More

Authors

Alessandro Vitelli, managing editor for global emissions markets, is responsible for Emissions Daily. He worked on Platts' oil and petrochemicals' desks, beginning in 1988, including a stint as director of petrochemicals, and has been a broker with PVM Associates. He holds a bachelor's degree in politics and French from the University of Reading, and also studied at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris. Read More

Asia's Gas Conundrum

KimFeng Wong, Platts Senior Editor, LNG, and Martin Daniel, Editor, Platts Power in Asia

Asia needs a lot of natural gas to underpin the region's burgeoning economic growth, but so does Europe among other regions. With many potential sources of natural gas, both pipeline and LNG, increasingly accessible to different markets, how will Asia fare in the search for future gas needs? Read More

Open for Business Under New Owners – Asian Electricity Ten Years On

Martin Daniel, Editor, Platts Power in Asia

The Asian financial crisis of 1997 hit few sectors harder than the electricity supply industry, with few countries in the region left unscathed. Ten years on, how much has changed and how is the sector faring? Read More

CNG – Looking For That First Deal

Ross McCracken, Editor, Platts Energy Economist

Small stranded gas assets may be about to find a savior in Compressed Natural Gas. A number of competing transportation technologies have been developed and CNG is increasingly being considered by developers as a means of bringing gas to market. A first deal is proving elusive, but when it comes, many believe the floodgates will open to a new market every bit as dynamic as liquefied natural gas. Read More

Indonesian Coal Examines its Options

Cecilia Quiambao, Associate Editor, Platts International Coal Report

Concerns about the potential for conflict between energy sales to local and overseas consumers are increasing at a time of rapidly growing demand and tight supply in the international coal and energy markets. Indonesian energy officials have been on a charm offensive, seeking to convince international buyers and investors that the country's coal industry can meet their needs. Read More

Energy or Food? – Overcoming the Biofuels Dilemma

Mriganka Jaipuriyar, Platts News Editor

Biofuels offer new sources of energy but attention has increasingly focused on the threat of higher food prices. Some options may, however, avoid the problem. Read More

Global Carbon Market Set for Momentous Changes

Alessandro Vitelli, Platts Managing Editor for Global Emissions Markets

2007 has seen momentous developments in the global carbon market, adding to the weight of support for the concept of market-based mechanisms as a key player in the fight against climate change. In the wake of these developments, the focus of debate and attention is likely to move to Asia. Read More

Indonesia's Oil Quandary

Vandana Hari, Platts News Director Asia, with Dave Ernsberger, Platts Senior Editorial Director Asia

Since the turn of the century, a relentless decline in Indonesia's crude production has turned the country into a net oil importer. In that time, the government of the ASEAN giant has watched in frustration as rival exporters around the world, particularly Algeria, have cheerfully and capably assumed a large portion of its production quota within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Read More

Oil Players Dominate Second Year of Asia Top 250

Neil Fleming, Vice President, Platts Strategy

But fast-growers show much wider industry spread. Read More