The HC Commodities Podcast

As we embark on the energy transition, oil trading will not only become more crucial but more lucrative. Reducing investment in supply and infrastructure, uncertain global demand and decarbonization policies, will all increase the need to manage the flows and the volatility that drives returns for traders. In this episode, our guest, veteran oil trader Kurt Chapman, gives us a sweeping look at the state of crude oil trading in the run up to the pandemic and how energy transition will likely impact its future and what it means for related talent.To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcgroup.global/hc-insiderTo connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

John Rose, an expert in biogas and its potential in the energy transition and fight against global warming, discusses the growing market for renewable natural gas produced from biogas. Topics include the basics of biogas production, the role of EPC firms and active maintenance in biogas plants, the costs and regulations of biogas in Europe, participants in the biogas market and the push for renewable energy in transportation, and the growth and potential of the biogas industry as a sustainable solution to climate change and decarbonization.

Are we truly in a commodity super-cycle? Or has a global pandemic, supply disruption, inflation and wishful thinking around energy transition created a short-term price increase and much hype. In this episode, we take a more nuanced look at the super cycle hypothesis and seek to understand whether energy, metals and ags will all see a secular macro shift up in prices in the coming decade. Our guest thinks not. Ivo Sarjanovic is a former Cargill executive and former CEO of Alvean, one of the world’s largest sugar traders and now sits on the boards of a number of commodities participants. He is also adjunct professor teaching agricultural commodities at the University of Geneva and Di Tella University in Buenos Aires. To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcgroup.global/hc-insiderTo connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

Across the developed world, companies face the pressure to decarbonize by 2030. Right now buying long-term renewable power is the simplest option. However, in a decade will many wish they had built, or invested in, their own sources of renewable power? After all, what will the price of a PPA be in 2030 when everyone needs one. Guiding us through the rapidly changing landscape of corporations power supply chains is Toby Stanway. Toby is the founder of Invest Net Zero, a company focused on enabling businesses of all sizes to make a strategic investment in utility-scale renewable infrastructure as a cost-effective, robust and long-term solution to achieving decarbonization goals. Toby has 20 years in the energy industry and experience of mergers and acquisitions, investment analysis surrounding conventional and renewables infrastructure.To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.globalTo connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

Is carbon the ultimate commodity and is it mispriced? For all participants in the commodities sector, how to engage in the carbon markets will shortly become a vital strategic question and an immense opportunity. In this episode, we dive into the current carbon markets around the world and their future. To guide us through, we are joined by Ariel Perez, a partner at Hartree Partners and one of the world’s foremost carbon market experts.To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.global To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

Earlier this month, host Paul Chapman moderated a Reuters webinar on the state of the crude and products freight market. After a very challenging 2020 for the sector, are things improving in 2021? What trends can we see in the short and long term? Discussing the current and future state of the tanker market are panelists: Richard Matthews, Director of Consultancy and Research at Gibsons, Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO and Matthew Wright, Senior Freight Analyst at Kpler.The webinar was part of the Reuters Events Commodities trading series which concludes with a virtual conference on 9-10 November 2021. Find out more on the conference and how to register your attendance Here.To watch the recorded webinar click here.To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.globalTo connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

Thank you for listening to the HC Insider Podcast. A quick update as we enter the summer season.To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.globalTo connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

With the launch of the Murban Crude Oil Futures, Abu Dhabi has signalled more than just a wish to price its own oil production. The futures herald Abu Dhabi’s desire to become the next global commodity hub, powered by its geographic centrality, proximity to Africa, legal code and infrastructure. Does the world need another hub? What about the crucial component of talent? Our guest is Mark Cutis, CEO of ADGM authority, the body tasked with providing the ecosystem and responsibility for leading Abu Dhabi’s growth as a leading financial and commodity powerhouse.To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.globalTo connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

In this episode we focus on the agri traders and agri trading. What differentiates agri trading from the other commodities? Is the recent return to form, after years of low returns, sustainable? Do the agri markets give us a window into the future for the other commodities, with its increased transparency, and consumer demands around sustainability and traceability? And if so, what lessons can be learned? Our guest is Jonathan Kingsman, well-known thinker and writer in the space. Listen as he guides us through the ups and downs of the agri trading world. You can find his blog at www.commodityconversations.comTo find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.global To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

Investors, traders, ags, and energy businesses are investing in biofuels. Technology and decarbonization are driving the market. However, policy, crop yields, rising feedstock prices and public perception make it risky. Our guest Walter Cronin, Chief Commercial Officer at Green Plains, guides us through the global biofuels market and where we might go from here. Will renewable diesel overcome rising feedstock prices and the food for fuel debate? Are energy investors prepared for the uncertain world of crop yields? Has recent technological advances meant corn ethanol will be the dominant bridge fuel? What would changing policies in China and India do to the market? And what about that blend wall?To find out more about HC and our talent advisory services in the energy & commodities sector visit www.hcinsider.global To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/