Heating Oil








Asia

North America

Energy Markets

As the war in Iran drags on, rising fuel prices are hitting US farms.

Energy costs are squeezing soybean and grain growers in the U.S. Farm Belt as the Iran War chokes fuel supply through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing diesel prices to record highs. Farmers were already under pressure and faced a fourth consecutive year of shrinking margins due to a resurgent dry spell, high input costs, and the fallout from President Donald Trump's policies on trade, which has impacted crop prices. Diesel prices in the Midwest, America’s main corn- and soybean-producing region rose to record highs as a result of the conflict in May. This was just as farmers were ramping up...

Oil Refineries

US distillate stocks sink to a 23-year low

The Energy Information Administration reported on Thursday that U.S. distillate fuel oil stocks sank to a 23-year low last week as the Iran War continues to choke off global fuel supplies, and increase demand for U.S. petroleum products and crude. Stockpiles of distillates, including diesel and heating oil in the?country, dropped by?2.1m barrels during the week ending May 22, to a total of?100.8m barrels. This is the lowest level since May 2003. Analysts expected a drop of 1.02 million barrels. We'll continue to see U.S. "We're going to continue to see?U.S. Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, which blocked...

Heating Oil

Reporting shows that oil-price wagers before the Iran war news totaled $7 billion.

According to traders, analysts and exchange data, there were a series of well-timed bets made on the falling oil price in March and April, totaling up to $7 billion. These bets were spread over multiple exchanges, types of fuel, and derivatives, just before Donald Trump's major announcements about Iran policy. The amount exceeds the $2.6 billion in?bets that were previously reported, and has already led to the U.S. Administration?warning staff not to use nonpublic information as a means of financial gain. A?person with knowledge of the matter said in April that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is investigating. However,...

Heating Oil

Reporting shows that oil-price wagers before the Iran war news totaled $7 billion.

According to analysts, traders and market experts, there were a series of well-timed "market bets" on falling oil prices that totaled $7 billion between March and April, spread across different exchanges, types of fuel, and derivatives, just before Donald Trump's major announcements about Iran policy. The amount of the bets exceeds previous reported wagers totaling $2.6 billion. This has already led to the U.S. Administration to warn staff against using confidential information to their financial advantage. A 'person familiar with this matter' told a CFTC official in April that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is conducting an investigation. However,...

Energy Markets

EIA data show that US oil production fell to its lowest level in two years during the January winter storm.

The Energy Information Administration reported on Tuesday that U.S. crude oil production fell the most in two years last month following a'severe winterstorm' which knocked production offline?in large parts of the country. The EIA data showed that U.S. crude output dropped 410,000 barrels a day in January, compared to the previous month, to 13,25 million barrels a day, the lowest level since February 2025. The EIA reported that the total U.S. crude and petroleum product consumption fell by 201,000 barrels per day in January to 20.7 millions bpd, which is the lowest level since November '2025. The demand for gasoline...

Energy Markets

McGeever: Why $100 oil won't ruin the American consumer

Oil is expensive, especially for Americans, who spend a lot of money and are involved in a lot of energy-intensive economic activity. The average U.S. customer is better prepared than ever to cope with oil priced at $100 per barrel, despite the fears. The U.S. household is the wealthiest it has ever been, in nominal terms. In relative terms, they've never been any better. The unemployment rate is historically low.?And, perhaps more importantly, energy and gas account for an historically small portion of?consumption. It may be that U.S. equities outperformed those of their global peers after the joint U.S. and...

Fossil Fuels

Starmer, UK's Starmer, calls for an emergency meeting to discuss the economy as Iran war threats mount

Keir starmer, the Prime Minister of Britain, called a national meeting to discuss the economic fallout from the war in Iran. The escalating conflict has led to the highest government borrowing costs since the 2008 global crisis. Early this week, the storm on financial markets intensified after Iran threatened to strike energy and water systems in Gulf countries if U.S. president Donald Trump followed through with his threat to attack Iran's electrical grid. Britain's dependence on imported gas, high inflation, and stretched public finances has pushed government bonds to a steeper decline than their international counterparts. The "Cobra" (a cabinet...

Oil Refineries

Russell: The price of crude oil makes Trump TACO less likely to trade:

The crude oil markets still price in a resolution of the Middle East conflict that will result in the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz. In pricing this outcome, the market actually makes it more likely that the narrow waterway which serves as a channel for as much as 20 percent of the world’s oil supply remains closed. The market still expects U.S. president Donald Trump to deliver TACO - the acronym for Trump always?Chickens out. Trump can continue the conflict by maintaining the price of paper crude oil below the level that would allow for a return to...

Refined Products

Sources say that the Trump administration could relax US shipping regulations to combat the fuel price spike.

Two sources with knowledge of the discussions said that the Trump administration has told U.S. shipping groups and oil companies to prepare for the 'potential waiver' of the century-old Jones Act governing domestic shipping in order to facilitate the movement of fuel across the country. Sources said that the announcement could be made as soon as Thursday. It would aim to combat the'spiking fuel prices' since the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran. The White House has not yet commented. According to the Jones Act?goods transported between U.S. port must be?carried by vessels?that were built in the U.S., are U.S....

Refined Products

EIA reports that US oil production fell to its lowest level since June 2025 in December.

The Energy Information Administration reported on Friday that U.S. crude oil production dropped for the second consecutive month in December, to its lowest level since June of last year. Meanwhile, demand was at a multi-month high. The EIA reported that crude?oil?production averaged 13,66 million barrels a day in December. This was down by about 133,000 barrels a day from November. This was the biggest month-over-month drop in U.S. crude oil production since January 2025 when bad weather forced major?production centers to shut down. Analysts have predicted that oil production will slow due to the recent decline in oil prices. U.S....

Refined Products

EIA: US crude stocks rise as refineries start maintenance

The Energy Information Administration reported on Thursday that U.S. crude inventories increased last week, as refineries prepared for maintenance, and gasoline stocks decreased ahead of the long Labor Day Weekend. The EIA reported that crude inventories increased by 2.4m barrels, to 420.7m barrels for the week ending August 29. This was compared to analysts' expectations based on a poll of a 2m barrel draw. John Kilduff of Again Capital said, "This report is a bit bearish with the crude build." He added that refineries would be reducing production for maintenance in autumn, which could put pressure on crude stock levels....

Oil & Gas Drilling

EIA: US crude stocks rise as gasoline demand increases after July 4 drop

The U.S. crude stockpiles unexpectedly rose last week. Meanwhile, gasoline inventories declined on the back of a strong demand for fuel ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. The EIA reported that crude inventories increased by 7.1m barrels, to 426m barrels for the week ending July 4. This was compared to analysts' polled expectations of a draw of 2.1m barrels. The rise included a weekly adjustment of 1.8 million barrels a day (bpd). The EIA uses the adjustment figure to balance its books by looking at "unaccounted crude oil." "Overall demand has jumped up again, so the market views the...

Europe

Oil Refineries

Ukraine reaches Russia's energy goals after US-brokered truce ends

Ukraine resumed drone attacks on Russia’s oil refineries on Wednesday, just two days after the three-day ceasefire that was proposed by U.S. president Donald Trump had expired. As the four-year conflict continues, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil infrastructure to reduce Moscow's revenue from the energy industry and dent its military strength. The Russian defence ministry announced on Wednesday that two-hundred and eighty-six Ukrainian drones were intercepted, destroyed and destroyed over Russian regions. Authorities in southern Krasnodar said that a 'drone fragment' fell near an industrial facility and caused a fire. The village of Volna is where the oil products terminals...

Refined Products

Rhine River shipping is hampered by low water levels

Commodity traders reported on Monday that low water levels following a period of dry weather have prevented cargo vessels from sailing on the Rhine River in Germany with their full load. They will be charged a surcharge on top of the normal freight rate. The traders claim that low water levels are affecting shipping along the entire river south of Duisburg and Cologne. This includes the chokepoint at Kaub. At Kaub, the cargo vessels are only able to sail at a maximum of?50% capacity, while in the northern regions, they can travel up to?70% capacity depending on the vessel type....

Refined Products

Fuel prices increase as Swiss inflation reaches an all-time high

Swiss inflation reached its highest level since a year, according to government data released on Thursday. However, the increase was less than expected as the country had to absorb higher fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East. Last month, consumer prices increased by 0.3% compared to March 2025. This is the highest rate for 12 months. The 0.5% forecast in a recent poll by economists was still below the actual 0.5%. The Swiss price index increased 0.2% from month to month, which is also lower than the expected 0.5%. Prices for petroleum products were 5.3% higher than...

East Asia

Middle East

Refined Products

After the US-Iran agreement, spot oil premiums have fallen to levels seen before the war. However, shipping anxiety provides a floor.

After the U.S. and Iran deal to end the Middle East conflict, spot premiums for crude oil in Asia are back to their pre-war level. However, caution over how soon normal shipping will resume is keeping the oil markets afloat. Prices fell across the board after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that a preliminary deal had been signed. Details have not yet been released, and the U.S. as well as Iran say that a permanent ceasefire is still being negotiated. Dubai's premium for swaps on Middle East crude returned to its pre-war level of $2.06 a barrel on Monday. This...

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 Refineries

Russian seaborne oil product exports rose 10% m/m between May 1-15, according to industry data.

According to LSEG data and other market sources, Russia's seaborne exports of oil products rose 10% a month on average in the first fifteen days of May as key ports re-established fuel loadings. The release of fuel inventories accumulated during previous disruptions due to drone attacks was the main driver for fuel export growth, traders reported. However, May shipments were still limited by unplanned and seasonally-related refinery maintenance as well as rising domestic demand. Primorsk is the largest port in Russia for the export of ultra-low sulphur (ULSD) diesel. In the first half, it loaded 710,000 tons of ULSD, which...

Crude Oil

Russell: Exports of refined fuels from Asia to the US plummet after the closure of Hormuz

The impact of the 'crisis' on the physical fuel markets has worsened. Prices for crude oil futures fluctuated in line with headlines about the conflict between the United States, and Iran. Brent contracts fell 7.8% to close at $101.27 per barrel on Wednesday, despite the fact that a sustained and full reopening of the 'Strait of Hormuz is still a long time away. The United States and Israel's February 28th attack on Iran has led to a reduction in the volume of refined products shipped throughout Asia. The Strait of Hormuz is the main energy-consuming region in the world and...

Refined Products

Iran war poses tough choices for tiny Pacific nations on fuel and food

Pacific nations far from home are feeling the effects of a global fuel shortage. Authorities scramble to manage their energy supply, while families struggle with fuel restrictions and higher food prices. The U.S. and Israel war against Iran is disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz which carries around 20% of the world's oil flows. Aid agencies 'warned' that the crisis had caused diesel, petrol, and kerosene prices to rise by up to 70% in Papua New Guinea following the Iran war. Godfrey Bongomin is the director of programme operations for World Vision Papua New Guinea. He said that many...

Heating Oil

UK's Starmer promises to protect "working people" from conflict fallout

Keir starmer, the British prime minister, will pledge on Monday to help "working people", whose cost of living is being exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. He will warn companies not to try to "exploit" this crisis by raising prices. Starmer's latest effort to calm British concerns about the Strait of Hormuz conflict, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz as a vital waterway that transports oil and liquefied gas, will be "to assist you in the cost of living through this crisis". Finance Minister Rachel Reeves announced on Saturday that the government would provide "targeted support"...

Energy Markets

Reeves: UK considers targeted support for householders as energy costs rise.

In an interview with?Saturday, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves stated that the British government was looking at providing "targeted support" for the poorer households in order to offset the impact of the rising energy costs caused by the conflict?in the Middle East. Reeves, a Times reporter, said that the government is looking into?options? to help those affected by sharp increases in energy prices. This includes those households who rely on heating oil. However, he ruled out a universal program for all homes, stating it would not be affordable. Labour, which is trailing the populist Reform UK Party in the polls, has...

Energy Markets

Russell: Crude oil futures are not in line with reality, as the Asia physical market collapses.

Crude oil futures prices'reflect a view of the market that it can successfully navigate through the Iran War, while the prices for physical cargoes or refined products signal an imminent crisis. One of these signals is not the case in the paper oil market. Brent crude futures for the global benchmark ended Wednesday at $91.98 per barrel, an increase of 4.8% over the previous close, but down from the brief spike that occurred on March 9, when they reached $119.50 - the highest price in almost four years. On the physical market, on Wednesday the premium of a physical cargo...

Heating Oil

Russell: Compounding errors, narrow self-interest and narrow ROI threaten global fuel shortage

The United States, China and other major countries are making miscalculations, and retreating to their narrow interests, which threaten to turn the conflict in Iran into an international crisis for the supply of refined oil products. The media focuses a lot on the price for crude oil. Brent crude futures, which are the benchmark, jumped up to 20% in the early Asian trading on Monday, reaching $111.04 per barrel. This is the highest level since July 2022. The price of refined fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, has risen even more than crude oil. These are the fuels...

Crude Oil

Why is Asia so dependent on Middle Eastern oil sources?

Asia is heavily dependent on Middle East oil and gas, with 60% of its crude coming from this region. This makes it vulnerable to a prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the Iran War. How much Middle East oil does Asia import? The Middle East is the largest oil producing and exporting region in the world, shipping?one out of four barrels of crude oil daily, most of which are exported through the Strait of Hormuz. According to shipping analytics firm Kpler, Asia will import 14.74 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude per day in 2025....

Crude Oil

Traders say that India's MRPL has declared force majeure for gasoline export cargoes in March and April.

Two traders said that India's Mangalore Refinery has declared force majeure for all gasoline exports due to the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted crude oil flows from the Gulf. Two traders who said they had received a notification from the company said that MRPL had invoked force majeure. This is a legal term that allows a business to invoke circumstances beyond their control in order to?not fulfill a contract' for its gasoline sales for March and April. The state-run ?refiner, which operates a 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery in the southern state of Karnataka, exports about ?40% of its refined fuel output....