Shares of oil & gas companies were mostly under pressure all over the world Thursday (Jan 29) as Nymex crude oil declined further to US$44 per barrel. More companies responded with significant cut in capital expenditures this year, including in their Indonesian operations.

PT Indo Tambangraya Megah (ITMG) Tbk is one of the largest coal producers in Indonesia with output around 30 million tons per annum. With strong balance sheet and huge cash in hands (US$350 million as at September 30, 2014) plus net profit of US$169 million in nine months of 2014, how the Company see the future of coal and respond to new dynamics in the industry? To answer these questions, we interviewed Edward Manurung, chief financial officer of ITMG, a subsidiary of Thailand energy giant Banpu Plc.

The benchmark April 2015 contracts of crude palm oil (CPO) collapsed more than 2% to RM2175 per ton on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Monday (Jan 26) due to broad market sentiment against commodities and downfall of soybean oil.

Shares of Peabody Energy Ltd, the world’s largest coal producer in the private sector, collapsed 6.4% Friday (Jan 23) in New York, while Arch Coal lost 8.6% following bearish coal note issued by Standard & Poor’s.

Palm oil prices collapsed to its new low at US$621.5/ton in Rotterdam Friday (Jan 23). This is the lowest price since July 2009. Other than weak crude oil and soybean oil, market players need to continue watching the entrance of new players.

China Shenhua Energy, one of the world’s largest coal producers, has just released its full year of 2014 statistics. The company’s commercial coal production declined 3.6% to 306.6 million tons, including deeper corrections last month. Coal sales volume dropped deeper by 12.4% to 451 million tons.

Crude palm oil (CPO) has just touched its new low at US$648 per ton in Rotterdam on Monday (January 19), the lowest since late July 2009. Depreciation of rupiah and Malaysian Ringgit, however, helped CPO producers in Indonesia and Malaysia in the past few months.

Volatility remains in the energy market as Nymex crude oil dropped 5.26% to US$46.13 per barrel in New York few hours ago. Shares of coal producers were dragged down accordingly, led by Arch Coal and Peabody Energy, which fell 7.32% and 2.13% respectively. Spot coal from Newcastle, Australia, meanwhile, collapsed 5.2% to US$58.6 per ton late last week, the lowest price since June 2007.

Sona Petroleum and Salamander Energy Ltd have on Monday (January 19) terminated the sales and purchase agreement (SPA) for the US$281.2 million acquisition of 40% interest in the B8/38 oil and gas block in Thailand.

G-Resources Ltd, controlling owner of Martabe gold mine in North Sumatra, poured 275,515 ounces of gold and 2.2 million ounces of silver last year, despite significant correction in the fourth quarter. Finders Resources Ltd, owner of Wetar Copper project in Maluku, meanwhile, is getting closer to commercial operation of copper cathode plant.