Posts By Carolyn
The Arctic Ocean: Fracking’s Future Home
Energy extraction techniques have become exponentially more efficient and effective since our first attempts to harness the elements in our favor. Unfortunately, our advances in pulling energy from the earth are still being outpaced by consumption demands. With a rising number of emerging markets seeing economies expand rapidly, energy consumption is at an all time high with no signs of slowing. On the search for the next great energy source to meet this demand, scientists in the Arctic Circle think they have found a strong candidate [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Dry Weather Leads To Rising Crop Prices
With Summer temperatures topping out around the United States, the heat could have consequences beyond rising electric bills. Corn and soybean crops will reach maturity over the next few weeks, but the dry heat affecting growing areas of the US could erode crop conditions. As the historically largest exporter of soybeans and corn, U.S. farmers have a lot of pressure to ensure a strong harvest this year but analysts are already predicting another rough summer for the commodity supply [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Fracking: The Modern Day Gold Rush
First developed in 1947, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) remained an unheard-of tactic for extraction until it was used in the Barnett Shale Basin in 1998. The process works by pumping fracturing fluids–like slickwater, gel or foam–into a wellbore at a sufficient enough rate to fracture the rocks below. When these fractures occur, the operator injects proppants into the well to prevent the fractures from closing when the fluid pressure is reduced. And finally, oil and gas leaks from the fractures into the well for extraction. This overnight success has investors looking for the best ways to play the newly abundant natural resource market [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
What Obama’s Energy Plan Means For Commodities Investors
After years of environmental acts dying in Congress, President Obama is taking action by finally outlining a green plan for the U.S. Calling a press event at Georgetown University earlier this week, Obama discussed his goals: reducing carbon pollution, promoting green energy, and cooperating with both developed and emerging economies to ensure global involvement. Many on the Hill have already objected to Obama’s goals and his use of executive orders to avoid Congressional approval, saying that the American worker will lose in this plan [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Soybean Prices Set To Simmer
With applications in oils, animal feed and in our own meals, soybeans have become a staple crop in the U.S. and many other nations. While soybeans are originally from Southeast Asia, with Chinese farmers among the first to domesticate the crop, the U.S. currently both produces and exports more than any country in the world. But holding the majority of the world’s supply of this legume has made the U.S. extremely vulnerable to a new trend that looks to have a big impact on the commodity’s price [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
How Natural Gas Could Save The Environment (And Your Portfolio)
Since the industrial revolution, growing economies around the world have turned to fossil fuels for a relatively cheap power source. This dependence on non-renewable resources has only increased in the past few decades, but so have the environmental arguments against them. One of the biggest arguments against burning fossil fuels is the harmful emissions that come as a side effect. But while many lump all fossil fuels together as being “dirty” energy sources, one stands out from the rest: natural gas [for more energy news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].