About three seconds before my son ran head first into a fire hydrant on Monday night, I was talking to a friend who was asking exactly what JP Morgan had done to lose $2 billion. Both this event and the escalating farce in Greece have been dictating both the mood and movement in financial markets [...]  More »

I was utterly gutted to hear about the passing of Adam Yauch (MCA from the Beastie Boys) last week. Although I disliked the band’s early stuff like ‘Fight For Your Right To Party’ and ‘No Sleep ’til Brooklyn’, their second album ‘Paul’s Boutique’ is one of my favorite records ever, and I have been a fan [...]  More »

You know those people that look at clouds and see shapes (no? oh, ok…), well recently every time I see charts of the latest economic data, I see the Van Halen logo. And it’s not even like I’m a Van Halen fan (I’m way too young, obviously). So to prove I am not one sandwich [...]  More »

Worlds collide this week as I have been distracted by the combo of CSI Miami and relative value … leaving us to delve into the world of ratios and Horatio. So, let’s take a look at some aspects currently present in Energyville™, kick-started by terminology used in the world of Horatio Caine. 1) BALLISTICS This relates to the [...]  More »

Given the influx of ruling-related rhetoric in the realm of Energyland™ this week, it seems useful to take a look at some of these announcements – which cover ground from fracs to specs, from UK shale to US LNG – to gain a better understanding. So without further ado, let’s run a quick ring around [...]  More »

Given that this week feels like it has been all over the place, it seems somewhat appropriate that this post should do the same. So let us go around the world in 80 seconds, taking a look at some random energy nuggets from various corners of the globe. SAUDI ARABIA – given that electricity demand [...]  More »

This post is loosely based on looseness (loosidity?) across various factions of financial markets, as we take a look at some random observations relating to loose lips, loose pips, and loose policy. First up are lips. The origin of the phrase ‘loose lips sink ships’ is from a propaganda poster made by the US during [...]  More »

Given gasoline prices are getting close to record highs while natural gas prices plunder to further new 10-year lows, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are not surprisingly receiving a lot of attention in the media at the moment.  More »

Nearly two years (and nearly 200 posts ago on Energy Burrito) we took a look at A Little Trouble in Big China, as China’s economy was showing signs of slowing. Six hundred and seventy-six days later, signs of slowing are emerging once again, leaving global financial markets to be twitchy and pundits to question whether the engine [...]  More »

Given my blatant lack of heritage, it gives me an excuse (as if I needed one) to look into both the nerdier side of March madness, and its obvious parallels with energy. So here is a random collection of definitions, divergences, and distinctions about current spring insanity: March Madness Energy Mashup –The Failed Alley-Oop (btw, Alley-Oop is [...]  More »

I must apologize as I feel like I’m jipping Burrito readers again. I usually try to provide an even mix of serious posts with the lighthearted (i.e., a quirky theme or an interesting list). However, this week I have failed in my latest foray into pop culture, and it has left us to take a sudden detour…on a bicycle built for two.   And here’s some more honesty. I [...]  More »

This is my final rant about gasoline prices (for now), so please humor me. First up, I have two bugbears relating to current gasoline prices: a) higher prices are hurting the economy, and b) this isn’t a supply-driven issue (so there is no need to tap emergency reserves). Higher prices are hurting the US economy, because [...]  More »