Pangea Island Natural Gas Services
Case number:
A06-00-0019
Abstract
The purpose of this case is to introduce the student to natural gas futures and issues that arise in the management of a hedging operation.
Teaching
The case approaches the various issues by examining a fictitious company modeled on an Enron Gas Division. The company is the sole importer and distributor of natural gas. Because of its monopoly position, government officials who were concerned about the potential for price gouging monitored the company very closely. Pangea Island Natural Gas Services' [PINGS] problem was quite the reverse, however. In recent years, the company had been offering fixed price contracts to its customers to reduce the uncertainty inherent in natural gas prices. PINGS had thereby taken on the price risk of the cost of natural gas rising.
Upon initial reading of the case, it appears that the company has lost money in the hedge. The reason is because the case centers on the futures contract variation margin and little mention is made of the opportunity benefits arising from the lower cost of gas that will be sold to the customers.
Upon initial reading of the case, it appears that the company has lost money in the hedge. The reason is because the case centers on the futures contract variation margin and little mention is made of the opportunity benefits arising from the lower cost of gas that will be sold to the customers.
Case number:
A06-00-0019
Subject:
Finance
Year:
Setting:
N/A
Length:
3 pages
Source:
Library