Mifid II ensures all change for energy firms
There's plenty for companies to mull over in the latest European directive aimed at cleaning up the financial sector
The oil and gas industry is braced for fallout from the biggest root-and-branch reform of European financial markets in a generation—the Markets and Financial Instruments Directive, known as Mifid II, which comes into force in January. Hydrocarbons firms aren't the focus for Mifid II, but they'll feel the effects from legislation that embraces every part of Europe's financial industry. Seven years in the making, and running to 70,000 pages, this legislation is Europe's belated attempt to clean up the financial sector and prevent a repeat of the 2008 markets crash. This legislation aims to increase transparency and impose firebreaks to prevent bank collapses. The impetus to create it comes in
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
