The Rivers of Money: Social and Economic History of Modern Oil Trading

by Adi Imsirovic, Colin Bryce

Modern oil trading, as we know it today, has its roots in the 1970s, especially after the collapse of the vertically integrated structure of the oil industry, controlled by oil majors. Oil trading flourished in the 1980s, following the energy liberalisation policies in the UK and US. In the process, the largest trading companies such as Vitol, Trafigura, Marcuria and others have taken on new roles in the industry, including financing of major new projects. The authors Adi Imsirovic and Colin Bryce have participated in oil trading during its pivotal years and through knowledge of the industry, experience and contacts hope to bring to life this period in rich details with key industry interviews. A serious academic study of the social history of modern trading but written in a way that makes it accessible to a wider audience, this book will be of interest to anyone involved in finance, economics, energy, policy, and trading.

352 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2025