Oil Markets

Fuel oil cracks and the OPEC effect

09 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Hanley speaks with fellow S&P Global Platts editors Amandeep Dhir, Eleni Pittalis and Elza Turner about the impact that OPEC/non-OPEC crude cuts ...

Sweet/sour crude spread in focus as Urals prices over CPC Blend

01 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

S&P Global Platts editors Marcel Goldenberg and Ahila Karan discuss with Joel Hanley how the now-extended OPEC/non-OPEC oil output cuts are impacting ...

Russia's ambitious aviation fuel plans take off at industry event

19 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the week St Petersburg played host to the International Air Transport Association Fuel Forum, S&P Global Platts editors David Elward and Caroline K...

What can the oil market expect at the OPEC meeting in Vienna?

16 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the inaugural episode of the S&P Global Platts OPEC Outlook podcast, Herman Wang, Platts OPEC correspondent, discusses what to watch for when the o...

Bulls and bears tussle in the oil supply/demand debate

12 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

S&P Global Platts editors Joel Hanley and Jonty Rushforth discuss the key issues raised at the Platts Crude Oil Summit, from the supply/demand balance...

The forward curve reacts to IMO 2020

04 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

While the markets still try to digest the implications of the International Maritime Organisation's decision to move to a 0.5% sulfur cap for marine f...

Upcoming West Africa sulfur reductions on oil product imports gather apace

27 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Iain Stevenson, managing editor for the S&P Global Platts EMEA light ends oil team, Ahila Karan and Fabian Weber, EMEA associate editors for the gasoi...

Asian buyers become major players in European crude oil markets

24 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Paula VanLaningham, managing editor for the S&P Global Platts EMEA crude oil team, Maude Desmarescaux and Marcel Goldenberg, EMEA editors for North Se...

May a big month for Iran amid rising crude oil output

13 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Iran's crude oil production is close to pre-sanctions levels, according to the S&P Global Platts OPEC survey, but can the country push on further? Ass...

Med diesel, gasoil balances adjust after Saudi Aramco-EGPC rapprochement

06 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Saudi Aramco announced recently it would resume exports of refined products, including 1,000 ppm sulfur gasoil, to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp...

Global factors widen the Forties/Urals crude oil spread

29 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

S&P Global Platts editors Joel Hanley, John Morley and Marcel Goldenberg discuss the "exploding" price difference between two important crudes in Nort...

Russia's falling fuel oil exports

16 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

S&P Global Platts editors Joel Hanley and Elza Turner discuss how Russian refinery upgrades and a rise in export duty have led to a fall in exports fo...

Nigeria finalizes 2017 DSDP program as Africa seeks a cleaner fuel future

09 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the African Refiners Association conference in Cape Town next week, Platts editors discuss Nigeria's efforts to finalize the country's second...

The big oil issues for 2017

09 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the Platts London Oil & Energy Forum on February 20, editors David Elward and Robert Beaman join Joel Hanley for a look at the big issues in ...

Libya: back on the road to supply security?

02 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Once a North African OPEC powerhouse for light, sweet crude oil, Libya is now riven by civil war and disrupted oil supply. The country is trying to pu...

Russian Urals crude values remain strong on program release

26 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

S&P Global Platts editors Joel Hanley and Marcel Goldenberg talk about the strength in Russia's Urals crude oil. With record crude volumes coming out ...

Low sulfur fuel oil 2017 power play

18 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Platts editors Joel Hanley and Amandeep Dhir discuss the current strength in low sulfur fuel oil in the Mediterranean, and the prospects for a fuel th...

Naphtha starts 2017 with a bang

11 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Platts editors Joel Hanley and Virginie Malicier discuss the naphtha market's strong start to 2017. As the year unfolds, what has turned the market fr...

US benchmark gasoline price climbs on surging exports to Mexico

10 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Mexico's higher gasoline prices for consumers are having a ripple effect through North American gasoline markets as the US exports more product to its...

Platts updates USGC high sulfur fuel oil assessment specs

03 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Effective January 3, 2017, the Platts US Gulf Coast fuel oil assessment has been updated to reflect residual fuel oil intended for end-use by the bunk...

The impact of the IMO's 2020 sulfur cap: Interview with Ensys/Navigistics

22 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The IMO's decision in late October to go ahead with a 0.50% global sulfur cap in 2020 is the defining topic shaping the outlook for marine fuels. In t...

Life after sanctions: Iranian gasoil flows to ARA refining hub

14 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

S&P Global Platts editors David Elward and Ahila Karan discuss the nascent flows of Iranian gasoil into the Amsterdam- Rotterdam-Antwerp refining hub,...

Will Russia back up leading role in OPEC, non-OPEC oil output deal with compliance?

12 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Russia is playing a key role in the agreement between OPEC and non-OPEC countries to remove up to 1.8 million b/d of crude oil from the market to acce...

Could new crude grades go into Dated Brent?

08 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Platts editors Joel Hanley and Robert Beaman discuss the possibility of new grades of crude oil joining Brent, Forties, Oseberg and Ekofisk in the vit...

SPIMEX's Urals futures contract: A new benchmark for Russia?

30 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Platts editors Joel Hanley and Elza Turner discuss the launch of the Urals crude oil futures contract on the St.Petersburg International Mercantile Ex...

How Russia's privatization plans withstand the latest corruption scandal

21 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The arrest of Russian Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, accused of receiving a $2 million bribe for supporting Rosneft's acquisition of a 50% stake i...

Saudi Aramco's halt of oil product supply to Egypt surprises markets

18 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In early October Saudi Aramco stopped its open credit line to Egypt's EGPC halting the supply of refined products, according to traders. What led to t...

Upcoming IMO decision on global sulfur cap could boost scrubbers demand

05 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

There are no longer doubts about the technical feasibility of scrubbers, but the low oil price environment has made the financial case for investing i...

How is Russia's refinery modernization plan impacting heavy products markets?

21 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This year Russian refinery upgrades have well and truly kicked in, after some delays, leading to a significant fall in fuel oil exports to Europe, and...

How are tighter emissions regulations impacting the global cruise liner industry?

05 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Sweeping changes to marine fuel regulation are affecting cruise liners more than most segments of the global shipping industry. Ned Molloy, managing e...

Russia juggles oil privatization plans

23 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Russia's privatization story has taken more twists and turns. The authorities have delayed the privatization of the country's fastest growing oil prod...

Russia's oil, gas drift to the East gaining momentum

08 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Following numerous Russia-Asia economic events this spring, S&P Global Platts managing editor for oil news in Moscow Nadia Rodova and her Moscow-based...

Russia under sanctions: sentiment negative but situation manageable so far

01 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As the European Union is to debate the extension of oil sanctions on Russia in June, Platts managing editor for oil news in Moscow Nadia Rodova and he...

Russia's delayed refinery upgrades, tax maneuver take toll on throughputs

25 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Hanley, editorial director for EMEA oil, talks with two Platts experts on Russia, Elza Turner and Nadia Rodova, about the changing profile of Rus...

Crude markets across North America watch wildfires in Western Canada

10 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Wildfires are still raging across northern Alberta, and the oil industry is grappling with shut-ins, forces majeures and price effects rippling throug...

US jet fuel industry works to pin down causes of off-spec fuel

08 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The US jet fuel industry is facing more problems with off-spec product, leading to lots of discussion around how jet fuel is stored, mixed, shipped on...

As arb from NWE slams shut, where will Med utilities get their fuel oil from?

08 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The premium of Mediterranean low sulfur fuel oil prices over Northwest Europe tumbled to its narrowest level in 20-months on the back of plummeting fr...

Suffering oil majors face more pain from price slump

03 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Following a fourth-quarter earnings season in which oil companies took another severe hit from low oil and gas prices, Platts senior writer for EMEA o...

European 0.1% gasoil price boosted by Russian supply cut

08 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The recent change in gasoil flows from Russia is the main driver of the shortage which has pushed Northwest European gasoil physical premiums to their...

European jet fuel oversupply steals spotlight in 2015

13 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With a tumultuous year for oil prices now in the rear-view mirror, Platts middle distillates team leader Olivier Lejeune sits down with Phil Casey to ...

US refiners hoping gasoline margins remain high on summer travel demand

18 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Memorial Day weekend in the US is expected to have the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years, according to AAA Travel, right at a time whe...

Saudi Arabia's political reorganization and its impact on global oil markets

15 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Is it the end of an era in Saudi Arabia? Platts associate editorial director for oil news Mriganka Jaipuriyar and senior editor Tamsin Carlisle look a...

Rising crude prices prompt fears of disconnect with physical market

14 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Robert Beaman, managing editor for EMEA crude oil, analyzes recent trends in Brent crude oil prices with North Sea crude editor Ned Molloy and ...

Jet fuel specification change a thorn in European traders' side

08 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Olivier Lejeune, managing editor for European and African middle distillates, and Philippe Casey, European jet fuel editor, discuss the recent ...

Russia refinery upgrades change face of European gasoil market

29 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Olivier Lejeune, managing editor, Europe and Africa middle distillates and Eline Potie, Europe and Africa gasoil editor, discuss the changing f...

Iran: What could its crude 'flood' look like?

23 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Vandana Hari, Platts editorial director in Asia, and Pradeep Rajan, Platts senior managing editor for freight markets, assess the oil...

Short-term resurgence of Northwest European LSFO barge demand

17 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Benno Spencer, senior managing editor, Europe and Africa Oil and Erduan Reid, Europe and Africa fuel oil editor, discuss the surprising resurge...

Widening crude import rights in China: A game-changer for independent refiners?

15 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

China recently released criteria for refiners that do not have crude import quotas or licenses to start applying for new import quotas. Platts senior ...

Nigeria's oil industry at crucial juncture as new government takes over

10 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On March 28-29, Nigeria elected Muhammadu Buhari as the country's new president, defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. Robert Beaman, Managing Editor...

Japan's gasoline margin improves to 4-year high, stable outlook ahead

06 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Gasoline accounts for roughly 30% of Japan's domestic oil demand. Platts Asian oil news associate director Mriganka Jaipuriyar and senior editor Takeo...

Propane supply tight in Europe on lack of US exports

02 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, managing editor of Europe and Africa light ends, and Iain Stevenson, associate editor for LPG, analyze what is causing the tightness in ...

European gasoline unseasonably firm following US strength

18 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, managing editor for European and African light ends, discusses with editor Virginie Malicier, the gasoline seasonality switch from winte...

High freight rates limit strengthening of West African crude prices

12 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Beaman, managing editor for European and African crude oil, discusses the impact on the WAF crude market of the recent changes in Suezmax and V...

European marine gasoil demand increases on launch of emissions regulations

06 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Christopher Vowden, managing editor of fuel oil and feedstocks, and Marko Trtica, fuel oil editor, discuss the recent change in shipping emissi...

Will 2015 mark China's reforms on oil product prices?

04 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Several Asian governments have taken advantage of low oil prices to carry out retail pricing reforms in their respective countries. In this podcast, P...

Impact from lower jet fuel prices on airline markets to fully manifest itself in 2016: IATA

29 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Pearce, IATA's chief economist, talks to Ilana Djelal, associate editorial director for European clean products and Philippe Casey, European jet...

Will China buy more crude oil in 2015?

27 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Platts senior oil news writer Yen Ling Song looks at the pattern of China's crude imports over the past years and discusses the facto...

European LPG prices under pressure, increasing US exports

09 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, managing editor of Europe and Africa light ends, and and Iain Stevenson, associate editor for LPG discuss structural changes in the LPG ...

Malaysia, Indonesia bite the bullet on fuel subsidies

27 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia has scrapped fuel subsidies and Indonesia has reduced them. Platts editors James Bourne, Mriganka Jaipuriyar, and Jonathan Nonis discuss the ...

Russian oil exports tumble ahead of 2015 tax changes

26 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Benno Spencer, senior managing editor, Europe and Africa oil, Elza Turner, senior editor for Russian crude and products, and Paula VanLaningham, edito...

NWE naphtha weakness reaches multi-year lows as demand struggles

21 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, managing editor of EMEA light ends and Virginie Malicier, editor for EMEA naphtha discuss the recent weakness in the European naphtha ma...

Bunker fuel market reaction to bankruptcy filing by OW Bunker

12 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Benno Spencer, senior managing editor, Europe and Africa oil, and Marko Trtica, fuel oil editor, discuss the recent OW Bunker bankruptcy and the conse...

Oil, shipping sectors react to challenges presented by Ebola outbreak

30 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Aleksandrs Juhnevics, managing editor, global shipping and freight, and Eklavya Gupte and John Morley, associate editors for West African crude and sh...

From importer to exporter: China changing backdrop of jet fuel supply in Asia

16 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Cheong Su Yeen, Platts senior editor for jet fuel in Asia, and Song Yen Ling, Platts senior writer for oil, discuss the growth prospect of jet fuel de...

Russian 10 ppm diesel exports to Europe dip in October but are set to grow

13 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Elza Turner, senior editor for the Russian domestic oil market and Alex Pearce, editor for Northwest Europe distillates, discuss the temporary drop of...

European naphtha sees regional overhang, lower demand

09 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, managing editor for EMEA light ends and Virginie Malicier, editor for EMEA naphtha, discuss the recent weakness in the European naphtha ...

New and growing markets seen to absorb supply as oil refining landscape changes in Asia, Middle East

08 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A glut in ultra low sulfur diesel and gasoline looms in Asia. Jonathan Nonis, Platts senior managing editor for the Asian oil markets, discusses the f...

NWE gasoline climbs on regional refinery maintenance, increased arbitrage flows

30 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, managing editor for EMEA light ends and Francesco Di Salvo, editor for EMEA gasoline, discuss the recent strength in the Northwest Europ...

The challenges facing the African crude oil, refined product markets

25 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Bonnington, editorial director for European and African oil and Eklavya Gupte, associate editor covering the West African crude oil markets, di...

Mediterranean Urals crude differentials under pressure as arbitrage booms

18 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Benno Spencer, senior managing editor for EMEA oil and Paula VanLaningham, editor for Mediterranean and Urals crude, discuss the recent weakness in th...

Asian companies gear up as Mexico opens oil, gas sectors to foreign investors

15 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Mexico's energy reforms present potentially huge oil and gas exploration and investment opportunities to foreigners. James Bourne, Platts associate di...

Latest EU sanctions set to hit Russian oil majors

10 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Stuart Elliott, associate editorial director, Europe and Africa oil news and Rosemary Griffin, associate editor, discuss the likely impact of n...

The role of oil and gas in the Scotland independence debate

03 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Stuart Elliott, associate editorial director, Europe and Africa oil news and Nick Coleman, senior editor, discuss the run-up to the vote on Sco...

Tanker markets feel impact from Libya crude loading restarts, Ebola crisis

20 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Peter Norfolk, editorial director, global shipping and freight, and John Morley and Nigel Davies, West of Suez freight editors, discuss the imp...

When will Kazakhstan's Kashagan be able to restart production?

13 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Stuart Elliott, associate editorial director, Europe and Africa oil news and Dina Khrennikova, associate editor, discuss the problems that hit ...

Latest Western sanctions increase pressure on Russian oil, gas sector

11 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts Stuart Elliott, associate editorial director, Europe and Africa oil news and Rosemary Griffin, associate editor, discuss the impact on the Russ...

European low sulfur fuel oil under pressure as refiners run sweet crudes

31 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts' Andrew Bonnington, editorial director for European and African oil discusses the recent fall in the value of low sulfur fuel oil relative to h...

China's H1 2014 apparent oil demand edges up on year

25 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts' Song Yen Ling, senior writer for China, analyzes China's apparent oil demand during the first six months of 2014, which edged up 0.6% on year ...

West African overhang brings down European crude market amidst poor margins

16 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts' Eklavya Gupte, West Africa crude editor, and Ned Molloy, North Sea crude editor, discuss the biggest slide in Brent crude prices this year, in...

Shippers weigh options as US fuel emissions standards set to change

02 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Shippers traveling within 200 miles of US shores are just six months away from new emissions regulations, which will lower the amount of sulfur in fue...

Angolan crude values hit fresh lows on soft Chinese demand, weak refining margins

11 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Bonnington, Platts editorial director for European and African oil, and Eklavya Gupte, West Africa editor, discuss the recent low values seen i...

Poor refining margins pressure European, West African crude values

04 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Benno Spencer,Ned Molloy and Paula Vanlaningham, members of the Platts European crude oil price reporting team, discuss the recent reversal of fortune...

Baltic gasoil volumes find alternative outlet amid weak European demand

29 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ilana Djelal, Platts associate editorial director clean products EMEA and Eline Potie, Platts European gasoil market editor, discuss persistent weakne...

WAF freight rates weaken on oversupply, lack of Asian buying interest

20 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ellie Weir, Platts tankers team leader talks to John Morley, dirty tankers editor and Eklavya Gupte, West African crude editor, about the reasons behi...

European gasoline weakens as US arbitrage opportunities shrink

15 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Byron, Platts light ends team leader, and Francesco Di Salvo, Platts EMEA gasoline editor, discuss recent weakening in the European physical an...

Regulations, reduced demand significantly diminish Japanese oil refining capacity

12 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Takeo Kumagai, senior editor for Platts oil news, talks with James Bourne, associate editorial director for oil news in Asia, about how operable capac...

Oil reserves promising in rough offshore waters of Great Australian Bight

12 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Great Australian Bight, off the southern coast of Australia, is causing excitement among major oil companies hoping to tap into the large offshore...

Japan, S Korea to maintain Iranian crude oil import volumes in 2014

08 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

James Bourne, Platts associate editorial director for Asian oil news in Singapore and Takeo Kumagai, Platts senior editor for Asia, based in Tokyo, an...

European ULSD liquidity surges and looks set to remain strong

08 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Bonnington, Platts editorial director, European and African Oil and Charles Goldner, Platts EMEA diesel editor, on liquidity in the European di...

India's energy policy impacted by elections

23 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Mriganka Jaipuriyar, senior editor for Platts Oilgram News, and Song Yen Ling, senior writer for oil, discuss how India's upcoming election is shaping...

Recent US gasoline strength and the prospects of European gasoline arbitrages

16 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The RBOB futures market has recently experienced a rally supported by bullish stocks data in the country. The US Atlantic Coast is the traditional out...

Changes in shale flows could mean changes to US crude storage hubs

09 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Alison Ciaccio, futures oil editor, and Bridget Hunsucker, editor, Americas oil news, discuss Cushing, Oklahoma, the basis for the NYMEX light sweet c...

Chinese oil, gas companies take unusual step of cutting capex

09 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Platts' Song Yen Ling, senior writer for China, discusses Chinese state-owned oil and gas companies' recently-announced investment plans, having taken...

US fuel oil markets change focus as traditional demand fades

09 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A frigid winter in the Northeast gave US fuel oil markets a boost, but new regulations and more fuel switching in power generation means the fuel oil ...

US sanctions against Rosneft chief: limited impact so far, but could fall-out still hit markets?

29 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Stuart Elliott, associate editorial director, and Rosemary Griffin, associate editor, discuss the move by Washington to add the CEO of Russia's Rosnef...

Interview with Port of Rotterdam Authority on bunker industry developments and outlook

25 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of Platts' 5th Annual European Bunker Fuel Conference in Rotterdam on May 22-23, Chris Vowden, European fuel oil and feedstocks team leader, spo...

Rise and fall: Recent Urals crude volatility and the European market

19 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Russia's Urals crude oil grade has been volatile recently, briefly reaching a six month high in mid-March before rapidly falling back in the space of ...

Increase in demand for direct burning crudes from Japan seen following cold-snap

04 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Record low temperatures in Japan are causing utilities to burn more direct burning crude for power generation. Daniel Colover, Platts Asia crude oil m...

Russian diesel may struggle to sell in UK after importers enact new test

04 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Charles Goldner, EMEA diesel editor, and Olivier Lejeune, EMEA team leader for middle distillates, discuss the recent decision by UK oil importers to ...

Rise in West African piracy prompts boost to shipping security off Angola

25 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ellie Weir, team leader for EMEA shipping and Shubh Shukla, West of Suez freight editor, discuss the shipping security measures now recommended by the...