Fossil Fuels








Asia

North America

Oil & Gas Refining

Meta partners with Ambani’s Reliance to build AI data centers in India

Facebook parent?Meta announced on Wednesday it had partnered with Mukesh Ambani, a billionaire from India. The two companies will build the first AI-enabled India data center. Reliance is building a datacenter with a 168 MW power capacity in Jamnagar, a city located in the western Indian state Gujarat. According to a statement, Meta will lease this facility with options for expansion. Meta said India’s large user base and rapidly growing digital economy make it a great place to invest. According to IMARC Group, India's data center market will nearly double by 2034 to $13.11 Billion, driven by digital transformation, cloud...

Energy Markets

McGeever: The $500 billion T-bill fix by ROI-Treasury isn't an issue yet.

In average, the U.S. Treasury issues more than?half-a-trillion dollars in T bills per week. The spike in short-term funding is not a problem for the moment, but it could be if U.S. lending costs continue to rise. Trump's administration has a good reason for favoring the short end of the "borrowing curve". The term premium has increased due to the persistently large budget deficits and the elevated inflation that has been above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target for five years. This is what investors want to compensate them for purchasing long-term bonds. It makes short-term loans more appealing. The problem...

Fossil Fuels

US EIA warns that oil inventories are headed for multi-decade lows

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Tuesday that oil stockpiles in?the largest economies of the world are heading toward their lowest levels since 2003, as inventories are being drawn down at an unprecedented pace due to lost production from the Iran War. The EIA estimates that total oil inventories within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development members will fall to just over 2.3 billion barrels in December. This is based on the current assumption that the marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz won't return to its pre-conflict level until early 2027. In its Short-Term Energy Outlook monthly...

Energy Markets

McGeever: The $500 billion T-bill fix by ROI-Treasury is not a problem yet.

The U.S. Treasury issues more than half a billion dollars in T-bills each?week. For now, this spike in short-term funding is not a concern, but it could be if U.S. lending costs continue to rise. Trump's administration has a good reason for favoring the short end of the curve. The term premium has been pushed up by persistently large?budgets deficits, and high inflation that has exceeded the Federal Reserve's target of 2% for over five years. This is what investors are paying for long-term bonds. It makes short-term loans more appealing. The problem of rolling over $500 billion in bills...

Fossil Fuels

Soaring fertilizer prices dim Brazilian farmers' edge over US rivals

B razil’s cheap and abundant land has helped its farmers create large, low-cost farms. This allowed them to take away export markets from U.S. Farmers who were hurt by China switching suppliers as a result of President Donald Trump’s tariff wars. Brazil has become a major agricultural powerhouse, despite the fact that U.S. farm land hasn't grown in this century. ?But South America's edge will be tested by the U.S./Israeli war against Iran, which is sending fertilizer -prices soaring. Since the beginning of the war, a third of all fertilizer flow has been trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. Brazil...

Fossil Fuels

Soaring fertilizer prices dim Brazilian farmers' edge over US rivals

B?razil’s cheap and abundant land has helped the country’s farmers create large, low-cost farmland, allowing them wresting export markets from U.S. Farmers?hurt by President Donald Trump’s tariff wars. Brazil has become a major agricultural powerhouse, despite the fact that U.S. farm land hasn't grown in this century. The 'South American country is now being put to the test as the U.S. - Israel war with Iran has sent fertilizer prices soaring. Since the beginning of the war, a third of all fertilizer has been trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. Brazil is heavily dependent on imported fertilizers while the U.S....

Fossil Fuels

Wall Street Journal, June 8,

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. These?stories have not been?verified' and we cannot?guarantee? their?accuracy. Israel and Iran traded missile strikes Monday, after the U.S. brokered a ceasefire in early April. This was their first direct attack since the truce went into effect. - Nvidia is ?teaming up with South Korea's SK Telecom and Naver ?to build gigawatt-scale artificial-intelligence cloud infrastructure in Asia. - Intesa Sanpaolo said ?it has launched a EUR30.66 billion ($35.33 ?billion) unsolicited cash-and-share ?takeover bid for Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Roche has announced that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement and...

Oil & Gas

How Trump's ceasefires have failed to end Middle East violence

Residents of Gaza and south Lebanon, as well as northern Israel and Kuwait, were all targeted this week, despite a ceasefire allegedly in place in their respective regions, arranged by the United States. Israeli forces are still active in Gaza and Lebanon. Hezbollah's rockets struck northern Israel and Iranian attacks targeted Kuwait's airport. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, commented on Wednesday about the continued violence in the Middle East. He said that ceasefires involved "shooting?in a moderate manner", rather than an end to all fighting. Three truces that his administration has negotiated are meant to stop the "warfare". While the...

Oil & Gas Refining

The US terrorist label could increase business costs for Brazil's gangs

As of Friday, the U.S. designated Brazil's largest criminal groups as "Foreign Terrorist Organizations" (FTOs). This is likely to increase risks and costs of doing business in Brazil where gangs are well-established. Comando Vermelho (CV), and Primeiro Comando da Capital, both of the 'biggest Brazilian crime gangs, began in prisons during the 1970s. Since then, they have grown to dominate drug trafficking in South America and their money laundering operations have spread into the far corners of Brazil’s mainstream economy. Investigators have recently discovered that both groups are deeply embedded in sectors like fuel distribution, real-estate and finance. They also...

Oil & Gas

California will decide in the near future whether to seek to block Paramount deal

In an interview, Bonta said that he would decide soon whether or not to sue Paramount to stop its $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. He added that he believes corporate pledges to address antitrust issues are 'better' when they are backed by divestitures. Bonta's Office has been evaluating the deal to determine if it violates U.S. Antitrust Law. Movie?theater owners and Hollywood actors have all expressed concern that the deal would reduce competition in the film industry and lead to higher prices, lower wages and fewer choices for consumers and content purchasers. According to a source with knowledge of...

Fossil Fuels

The US Supreme Court supports federal regulators FCC and SEC in their victories

In a pair?of rulings reaffirming the power of federal agencies, the U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed limitations it had previously imposed on government regulatory agencies but rejected attempts by?challengers? to push these constraints into new territories. The court, with a conservative majority of 6-3, handed down decisions in two cases on Thursday that were in favor of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Securities and Exchange Commission. The court ruled against the challenges made to the FCC system of levying fines, and to?the?SEC?s broad powers to recover illegal profits through a financial remedy known as disgorgement. The court has challenged...

Oil & Gas

US House supports Russia sanctions and Ukraine aid in latest blow against Trump

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday that would provide 'aid to Ukraine' and impose new Russian sanctions. This is the latest indication that Republicans are willing defy their party leaders and push back against President Donald Trump. The House passed the Ukraine Support Act 226-195. It had been pending for months. A few Republicans signed a petition with Democrats to force a vote. On Thursday, Democrats and 18 Republicans joined forces with one independent who usually votes along side them to pass the bill. This was the latest indication of a rift in the nearly unanimous support that...

Europe

Crude Oil

Mike Dolan: The boom in stock-pay increases the US economy's drumbeat

Stock market gains are not the real economy but they offer more than just a warm fuzzy feeling for many families. Stock-based compensation for workers may be a factor that helps bind them'more closely' The U.S. economy has remained stable despite a turbulent post-pandemic period of high inflation, rising interest rates and political and trade uncertainty. Many theories have been put forward, ranging from robust corporate and household finances to tax "cuts" and a three-year old AI investment boom. One of the most popular is that the stock market's resilience has boosted the so-called "wealth effect" and kept the consumption...

Oil Refineries

Officials alter train schedule after drones strike historic museum in Russia annexed Crimea

Local authorities said that Ukrainian drones had hit a 'historic museum' in Sevastopol, in Russia-annexed Crimea. They also reduced the number nighttime trains as a result of the intensifying air strikes. The museum commemorates 1853-1856 Crimea War, which was fought between the Russian Empire (including the Ottoman Empire) and a coalition. In that war, Russia lost. Mikhail Razvozhayev - Sevastopol’s Russian-installed Governor – said via Telegram that the roof of the museum was on fire. He didn't provide any further details on the damage, or if there were casualties. "The enemy will be punished for this sacrilege!" Razvozhayev wrote in...

Fossil Fuels

Officials alter train schedule after drones strike historic museum in Russia annexed Crimea

Local authorities said on Wednesday that Ukrainian drones had hit a historical museum in Sevastopol, in Russia-annexed Crimea. They also reduced the number?nighttime train services in response to intensifying air strikes. The museum is dedicated to the 1853-1856 Crimea War, which was fought between the Russian Empire and a coalition including the Ottoman Empire. In that war, Russia lost. Mikhail Razvozhayev said that the roof of the museum was damaged on Telegram. He didn't provide any details on the damage, or if there were casualties. "The enemy will be held accountable for this sacrilege!" Razvozhayev wrote in his early Wednesday...

East Asia

Middle East

Oil & Gas Refining

The cost of the Iran war is increasing for India's economy and government finances

India's economy was doing well a few months back. India's economy was humming along nicely a few months ago. India is now counting the costs of the Iran War, which, according to economists, will continue to rise if the deadlock in the U.S.-Iran conflict?remains unresolved' and if oil supplies are blocked. India is the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world. It ships about 90% of its crude oil. This makes its economy one of the most exposed to war-related disruptions and war-related wars. India announced a series of measures on Friday to limit the impact of the...

Oil & Gas

Saudi Arabia cuts its July OSP for Asia sharply amid low demand

Saudi Arabia cut its official'selling prices' (OSPs), for crude oil sold to 'Asia, in July, for a second consecutive month. This was expected, since spot premiums fell on a sluggish demand despite the supply disruptions caused by U.S. - Israeli war against Iran. A document reviewed on Monday by?showed that the July OSP was set at $9.50 per barrel over the average Dubai and Oman quote, which is $6 lower than the OSP in June. The July OSPs of other Saudi grades for Asia fell by $6 per barrel compared to the previous month. The price reduction was in line...

Oil & Gas

Energy secretary: Companies will add 40 million barrels to US SPR when the Iran war ends.

After the war in Iran, companies that have borrowed oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve will receive an 'extra 40 mln barrels - of crude as premiums. Fuel prices have risen since the U.S. and Israel war against Iran began in early February. Wright, however, said that he was not concerned about low stock levels at?the SPR. Wright told Fox Business's "Varney & Company," "I am not concerned because we are not'selling' any barrels of crude oil. We're supplying oil 'to the market 'in the short-term when it is needed, and we trade those barrels." "For every barrel we...

Fossil Fuels

Oil prices remain unchanged despite uncertainty surrounding US-Iran peace agreement

The oil prices were little changed Friday, after a sharp drop in the previous session. Brent crude futures dropped 21 cents or 0.22% to $95.24 per barrel at 0003 GMT, after falling 2.84% the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil was $92.94 per barrel, down by 10 cents or 0.11% after a loss of 3.1% on Thursday. The two contracts are expected to record their first weekly gains in three weeks. WTI is up a whopping 6% after fighting flared in the Middle East, as U.S. - Iran war peace negotiations dragged on, while traffic in 'the Strait...

Refined Products

Data shows that Iranian oil exports have fallen to their lowest level in six-years.

According to shipping data, and analysts, Iranian crude oil exports and condensate fell to their lowest levels?in six years?in?May. They were well below 300,000. barrels per day. This was mainly because of the U.S. Naval Blockade. The U.S. started enforcing its blockade in April, which choked Iranian exports. This is because the oil market has been facing a shortage of supply due to the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off exports from Saudi Arabia. Vortexa data indicates that Iran's exports in May averaged around 209,000 bpd, down sharply from the 1.34 million in April and almost 1.9...

Oil & Gas

How Trump's ceasefires have failed to end Middle East violence

Residents in Gaza, Lebanon's south, northern Israel, and Kuwait have all been under fire in the past week, despite ceasefires that were supposedly in place in these regions, arranged by the United States. Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza and Lebanon. Israeli forces are still "actively" deployed in both locations. Hezbollah launched rockets at northern Israel and Iranians attacked Kuwait's airport. The violence has continued. The continued violence prompted?U.S. The three?truces that his administration negotiated were intended to?stop the war. While the major combat has been greatly reduced, munitions still fall and people still die. Here's how the ceasefires and fighting are...

Refined Products

Sources say that South Korea's jet fuel exports returned to pre-war levels in May.

Analysts and trade sources reported that South Korea's refiners increased jet fuel exports to pre-Iran War levels in May, helped by an increase in?crude oil imports, and encouraged by the robust margins of refining. The rebound of?one of Asia’s top fuel exporters as seen in a series of spot cargo sales has eased concerns about a tight supply, and helped to cool down prices in the area. In the last two weeks, spot premiums on aviation fuel fell by 50% to about $2 per barrel. This compares to a record-high of more than 20 dollars in March. Data from Kpler...

Oil & Gas

Trump confirms calling Netanyahu insane in phone call

?U.S. Donald Trump admitted to calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu crazy during an angry phone call over the fighting in Lebanon while the U.S. was trying to negotiate a ceasefire with Iran. In an interview aired Wednesday, Trump, paraphrasing Axios, was asked if he called the long-time Israeli leader, "effing insane" and accused him ingratitude. Trump said, "I did," in a podcast called "Pod Force One". "I wouldn’t say angry. "I was a bit upset at his constant fighting with Lebanon." Trump continued to say that he and Netanyahu get on very well. Axios reported, citing an unidentified U.S....

Oil & Gas

PMI: UAE non-oil businesses grow in May, but the war and Hormuz standoff are weighing on growth.

A business survey released on Wednesday showed that the UAE's private non-oil sector grew only modestly in May, as the war in the area weighed on the output and growth of new businesses. The S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers' Index, adjusted for season, rose from 52.1 to 52.6 in the month of May. This index is still above 50 which separates growth from contraction. The continued disruption of maritime trade in the UAE had a cascading effect on the economy during May. Export orders fell in May due to both the shipping disruption and the uncertainty about how long the...

Oil & Gas

PMI data shows that Saudi Arabia's non-oil private industry activity reached a three-month peak in May.

A survey on Wednesday showed that the non-oil sector in Saudi Arabia expanded at its fastest pace in three month in May as domestic demand improved. Supply chains also stabilised. However, business optimism was still'subdued' due to conflict in the region. S&P Global's seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers' Index rose from 51.5 to 52.8 in the month of May. The 50-mark?distinguishes growth from contraction. The output accelerated the most in three months after the March downturn that followed the start of the Iran War.?Firms cited normalising work conditions, renewed contracts, and stronger local demand. The subindex of...

Energy Markets

Oil prices rise as US-Iran trade war escalates, Israel expands into Lebanon

The price of oil rose by a whopping 2% after Iran and the U.S. exchanged strikes, while Israel sent troops to Lebanon to fight the militant Hezbollah group that is backed by Tehran. As of 0436 GMT, U.S. crude oil futures were up $2.29 (2.62%) to $89.65 per barrel. Brent futures increased $2.05, or 2.25%, to $93.17 per barrel. Brent and WTI fell 1.8% and 1.7% respectively on Friday as a result of the increased fighting that followed the U.S.-Iran peace talks held in Washington. The U.S. announced on Sunday that it had conducted "self defence strikes" over the weekend...

Energy Markets

IMF, World Bank and others warn that Middle East war strains energy supplies

The heads of the International Energy Agency, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization warned on Friday that the war in the Middle East is straining the global energy supply and affecting vulnerable economies the most. The U.S. and Israel war against Iran has disrupted the trade, rattled the financial markets, and raised 'concerns about global energy supply, especially through Strait of Hormuz. This is a major route for oil and natural gas shipments. Global?institutions stated that the world's economy was resilient. However, the conflict disproportionately affected poorer countries by increasing fuel and fertilizer...