What is the difference between Emstream and Emsurge?

Emstream is a tech enabled Liquefied Natural Gas brokerage and consultancy, specialising
in structuring physical LNG cargo transactions, entry-strategy, trading, origination, marketing
and digitalisation.
Emsurge is a software as a service company, providing digitalisation solutions to energy
trading companies. Emsurge has launched a suite of tools, including the Emsurge Broking
Platform and the Emsurge Internal Workflow Management System – which is fully integrated
with the Emsurge Broking Platform.

What is the relationship between Emstream and Emsurge?

Emstream is the first energy brokerage to adopt the Emsurge Broking Platform in Liquefied Natural Gas. The companies have a collaborative relationship to enhance the designs and promote more efficient markets.

What is Emsurge?

Emsurge is a software as a service, providing digitalisation solutions to energy trading companies. Emsurge has launched a suite of tools, including the Emsurge Broking Platform and the Emsurge Internal Workflow Management System – which is fully integrated with the Emsurge Broking Platform. Emsurge is UK limited company, registered in England and Wales, with company number 11236705.

Who are your clients?

Emstream and Emsurge share a large client base of international energy companies in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. Foundation customers providing liquidity include gas and power utilities in Europe and Asia, trading houses, investment banks and gas producers.

What is hybrid broking?

Emstream operates a hybrid broking model, meaning orders are worked both voice and via the Emsurge Broking Platform. Emsurge is used as an internal tool to track the interest of clients for brokers and traders. Emstream have a bespoke broker version of the system the ability to the anonymous dissemination of select orders with clients, both on and off the system.

What off the shelf software products do you offer?

1) Emsurge Broking Platform – Enabling traders access to a liquidity pool, ability to trade faster and interact with their broker and broader global market. 2)Emsurge Internal Workflow Management Tool – Offering CRM, data capture and analytics, automated nomination tracking, audit trail and management oversight. 3)Emstream Market Data via Emsurge – consumption only of broker data. A by product of (1), but the user base of which seeks visualisation and fast consumption of the data and integration of the data with other data sets. Huge value can be added here through addition of a shipping model. Behavioural data can also be taken and displayed for unique market insight.

What are the benefits of being a member?

Members of the Emstream and Emsurge network form part of a global directory of LNG traders, enabling them access to the contact numbers and emails of LNG trader. Our directory is self-maintained as it is linked to our User accounts.

Emstream and Emsurge members are invited to regular educational and social events in locations around the world.

Can we have API access?

We understand you want to consume data in many ways so we allow open APIs but to ensure minimal disruption as our products evolve, our APIs are offered as a bespoke service. For more information please contact us directly.

What are the technical requirements to access Emsurge technology?

Emsurge is a cloud-based solution, so our clients only require Internet access and a modern browser. For the best experience, we advise clients to use Chrome, Firefox and Edge. We are supporting but continuing to improve the Emsurge experience on iOS and Android devices.

Is the information confidential?

All information entered is strictly confidential and as a user you have the ability to select which the level of access (None, Read Only, Read-Write, Read-Write-Trade) to your data each of your colleagues on the system can have. Users must actively extract information, create links to specific Orders or share the Order with a broker for any data to be shared.

Does this service require software to be installed?

You do not need to download and/or install any additional software.

Is the service secure?

Emsurge has been independently penetration tested by security specialists and no high-risk concerns were identified. We strongly advise customers to ensure they select a unique strong password (12 character minimum with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols), change it frequently, and do not share it with colleagues. It is the responsibility of companies to inform us immediately of the suspension of any accounts following the movement of employees. As a foundation customer, Emstream is involved in ensuring the ongoing security and performance of the system is of enterprise standard.

Can we share information with people off the system?

A User can choose to extract information to MS Excel or in text format or create live encrypted links, which can then be shared externally via other communication channels.

Can we extract information to MS Excel?

msurge has designed key MS Excel templates of data for analysis of the current and archived Order Book, tracking of nominations and comparison of Term Sheets. We can work with subscribers to create bespoke or additional standard MS Excel and Text extracts.

Where is the data stored?

All data is encrypted and stored in our Emsurge, AWS account. Emsurge selected AWS for its security and performance but the software has been designed to be portable so we are able to provide clients with on premise solutions, segregated storage or storage with other providers.

Is the service available on my mobile?

Yes. Emsurge is available on any mobile device with internet access. Users can switch from Mobile to Desktop experience via their device settings to enjoy the mobile designs or the full system.

Can I have a free trial?

Free trial membership to the Emsurge Internal Workflow Management System is available to qualifying companies. Membership to the Emsurge Broking Platform is free to participating broker clients. Emstream is a foundation broker and traders should contact m@emstream.co.uk to enquire about access. Free trials to the Emstream LNG Market data via Emsurge require a commitment to subscribe to the data and software at the end of the trial and can be organised by Emstream or Emsurge.

How do I get membership?

Companies interested in utilising the Emsurge Internal Workflow Management System are invited to a free consultation with our digitalisation specialists to understand your requirements and the number of users you need to fully benefit from the trial. Access to the Emsurge Broking Platform and Broker Data is for Broker Clients only. The system is designed for multiple brokerages, currently Emstream is the only brokerage to invest in the solution for its clients. To become an Emstream client, contact: m@emstream.co.uk. If you are a broking company and are interested in gaining access to an Emsurge Broking account for your clients, contact: m@emsurge.com.

Who posts the Orders on the Emsurge Broking Platform?

Emstream brokers can post bespoke physical cargo orders on behalf of traders on and off the system. Orders created by Emstream for traders, or by traders then shared with Emstream can be ‘WITHHELD’ meaning they are only visible to the broker and the trader that owns the order or ‘LIVE’ meaning they are visible as an anonymous order to the other Emstream members of the Emsurge Broking Platform. Traders on the system take ownership of the orders they share with brokers, avoiding stale orders. Traders can edit or withhold the order at any time on mobile devices and desktops.

Do the Orders shared with Emstream remain anonymous?

All data entered onto the system is confidential and when an Order is explicitly shared with Emstream by the user will it become visible to the Emstream brokers. Emstream are able to see the name behind and order, however other members will only see the name of the broker. Names are only exchanged at the point of trade or when mutual consensus has been given by the Buyer and Seller (both Parties to a Term Sheet). Due to the complexity of LNG deals, the unique characteristics of each trade and increasing need to be able to promptly execute hedges, it is normally advisable to exchange names ahead of closing any transaction albeit subject to contract and credit.

Are the Orders firm?

he status of any Order shared with Emstream can be Indicative and Non-Binding or Firm, subject to Name, Contract and Credit. All Orders should represent an honest intent to trade which is governed by the Emstream brokers and the strict code of conducts companies in the LNG market adhere to. The advantage of Orders being posted on the Emsurge Broking System by Traders on the system, is the elimination of stale Orders. Traders maintain the validity of their own Orders enabling the market to have confidence in the interest they see. Each Order can be published with varying degrees of information and the validity of each order is independently stated. If all required terms for a transaction to take place are included the Order could be countered and traded as it is by voice or on system. However, we believe the final terms of an LNG trade should depend on the assets, credit and capabilities of the two parties involved and expect some negotiation prior to trading. As such, the Emsurge system has been designed to facilitate the negotiation of multiple Term Sheets against each Order, and the optional booking of transactions post trade. The strongest action a client can do is counter an order and in doing so, create a Term Sheet, which can then be ‘MARKED AS TRADED’. As trades are subject to contract and credit it is unlikely Term Sheets are ‘MARKED AS TRADED’ prior to the exchange of names.

Is the Broking Platform transactional?

The strongest action a client can do is counter an order and in doing so, create a Term Sheet, which can then be ‘MARKED AS TRADED’. As trades are subject to contract and credit it is unlikely Term Sheets are ‘MARKED AS TRADED’ by both sides prior to the exchange of names. However, a transaction is only deemed to have taken place once a Confirmation Notice is signed.

Do you guarantee the quotes and/or other data on the platform?

No. Emsurge is a software provider only, full Terms and Conditions can be found at Emsurge.com. Emstream is solely an introducer broker and does not offer any advice on investments. While Emstream makes every effort to ensure information shared via the Emsurge Broking Platform is correct at the time of publication we are unable to guarantee it. We ask clients to report any information they believe to be incorrect immediately to support@emsurge.com and m@emstream.com.

When is the service available?

Emsurge is already live but we have a team of developers and designers and are continually releasing new features. Access to the service is available 24/7, with support available London business hours as standard. Support outside these hours are available as a bespoke service.

How much does it cost?

Emsurge Internal Workflow Management Tool is a subscription service, with Users paying a monthly fee according to their level of usage (Read Only, Read-Write and Read-Write-Trade). The Emstream Broker Data is available to members of the Emstream network via an Emsurge subscription.

Emstream is offering Emstream Broker Clients free access to the Emsurge Broking Platform once they have on-boarded Emstream and have signed a Brokerage Agreement. LNG brokerage fees are typically charged in $/MMBtu under a success fee only arrangement and deals are conducted off-screen and once names have been exchanged. Parties interested in brokerage services should contact m@emstream.co.uk.

Is there a minimum term?

There is a one-month minimum contract, but we recommend clients trial the system for at least 3-6months to realise the benefits of the data capture and workflow tools.

What are the benefits of being a member?

Members of the Emstream and Emsurge network form part of a global directory of LNG traders, enabling them access to the contact numbers and emails of LNG trader. Our directory is self-maintained as it is linked to our User accounts.

Emstream and Emsurge members are invited to regular educational and social events in locations around the world.

How do I learn how to use the service once a member?

We continue to invest in User Experience design to ensure our system is intuitive. We believe our clients have enough to think about without learning new software. However, once registered to the Emsurge software, Users are given access to the members only area of Emstream.co.uk where User Videos of new features will be uploaded alongside information on upcoming training courses and social gatherings.

On site training is currently being offered to all new subscribers and for large organisations the training of a ‘super user’ is offered as part of any annual subscription.

Regular tech drop-in clinics to learn how to optimise subscriptions are run out of London and Singapore. Any locations where the user base grows can be added.

Can we share information with people off the system?

A User can choose to extract information to MS Excel or in text format or create live encrypted links, which can then be shared externally via other communication channels.

Can we extract information to MS Excel?

msurge has designed key MS Excel templates of data for analysis of the current and archived Order Book, tracking of nominations and comparison of Term Sheets. We can work with subscribers to create bespoke or additional standard MS Excel and Text extracts.

Where is the data stored?

All data is encrypted and stored in our Emsurge, AWS account. Emsurge selected AWS for its security and performance but the software has been designed to be portable so we are able to provide clients with on premise solutions, segregated storage or storage with other providers.

Is the information confidential?

All information entered is strictly confidential and as a user you have the ability to select which the level of access (None, Read Only, Read-Write, Read-Write-Trade) to your data each of your colleagues on the system can have. Users must actively extract information, create links to specific Orders or share the Order with a broker for any data to be shared.