Refined Products




Energy Markets

Students at anti-Prabowo demonstrations claim that Indonesia is heading for bankruptcy

On Friday, hundreds of Indonesian students rallied in Jakarta to 'protest' the spending priorities set by President Prabowo's government and to protest this week's decision of raising gasoline prices. Students marched to the iconic Bundaran HI landmark in central Jakarta, calling their protest "Heading towards Bankrupt Indonesia". Organisers claimed that police and military personnel prevented some protesters from reaching the designated location. The government used subsidies to maintain gasoline prices in Southeast Asia's biggest economy, despite an increase in global oil prices due to the Iran war. The budget pressures from Prabowo’s ambitious spending plans are increasing, resulting in a...





Asia

North America

Oil & Gas

Reports from Kommersant state that Russia has authorized refineries to reduce the environmental standards for gasoline to prevent fuel shortages.

Kommersant reported that the Russian government had authorized a few oil refineries to produce fuels at lower environmental standards for the domestic market. This is because the country has been experiencing fuel supply disruptions. According to data collected by, media reports and social media posts have indicated that there are supply disruptions in Russia in a dozen different regions. Only two regions of Siberia, besides the Russian-held Crimea have formally?confirmed these disruptions. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak requested fuel market forecasts in order to avoid problems with fuel distribution and meet domestic demand. Ukraine has been targeting Russian...

Refined Products

Reports from Kommersant state that Russia has authorized refineries to reduce the environmental standards for gasoline to prevent fuel shortages.

Kommersant reported that the Russian government had authorized a few oil refineries to produce gasoline and diesel fuel with lower environmental specifications for the domestic market. According to data compiled by, fuel shortages have been reported in Russia by media and social media users?in about a dozen different regions. Only two regions in Siberia, besides the Russian-held Crimea have confirmed shortages. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak called for fuel market forecasts to protect against difficulties in fuel distribution. Ukraine has been targeting Russian refineries, fuel depots, and pipelines for several months in order to limit Moscow's financial support...

Refined Products

US consumer sentiment rises from record lows, as gas prices fall

U.S. consumer confidence bounced back from record lows early in June, as lower gasoline prices provided some relief to households. However, concerns about inflation caused by the Middle East conflict still lingered. The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers reported on Friday that lower-income households were the main drivers of the improvement in consumer sentiment. According to AAA data, gasoline prices dropped over the last 'three weeks' from their four-year highs. Oil prices also remained below $100 per barrel, despite an unstable ceasefire. The increase in sentiment is likely due to the labor market's resilience, which has been marked by...

Energy Markets

Oil losses continue as Trump cancels planned strike on Iran

After U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled plans to strike Iran, fears of an escalation in 'hostilities' following tit-fortat attacks earlier this week were reduced. Brent futures increased $1.21, or 1.3%, to $89.17 per barrel at 0042 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), however, rose $1.23 or 1.4% to $86.48. Brent crude was 4.2% less than WTI on a weekly basis. Trump, who threatened to hit Iran'very hard,' called off planned strikes Thursday, saying that discussions with Iran have progressed. Fars, Iran's semiofficial news agency, reported that Tehran has not approved the text of any agreement. Tony Sycamore, IG's market...

Energy Markets

Venezuela retains Greenberg Traurig for US court case against Crystallex

The firm that previously represented it in the U.S. Court of Appeals said on Thursday, Venezuela has retained the law firm 'Greenberg Traurig' to represent the country in a longstanding legal battle against miner Crystallex. This involves more than a dozen creditors seeking compensation for expropriations. The Attorney General of Venezuela, Arianny eijo, announced this 'week that Daniel Pulecio, and 'Dominic Draye, are now leading Venezuelan's team. In a letter sent to the firm Munger Tolles & Olson which asked the US Court of Appeals for Third Circuit to'remove' them as counsel. Washington recognized the interim government led by Venezuelan...

Refined Products

US sanctions Cuban State Oil Company, adding obstacles to fuel imports

Treasury Department's website revealed on Thursday that the United States has sanctioned Cuban state oil firm Union Cuba Petroleo, preventing the island government from importing much-needed fuel. Washington has imposed sanctions against a number of Cuban entities, people and leaders, including Cuba's president. It is attempting to increase?pressure on Cuban communist leaders. The sanctions come after the U.S. declared a national crisis this year, which imposed tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island. This has led to widespread power outages. In a recent social media post, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Cuba's Communist elites had...

Refined Products

Dollarama's sales continue to grow, topping quarterly estimates

Dollarama, a discount retailer in Canada, beat its quarterly profit and sales estimates on Thursday. Cost-conscious shoppers sought out Dollarama for low-cost essentials. Its shares rose 7% at the start of trading. The high cost of gasoline linked to the Middle East war has put pressure on household budgets. Walmart, Target and Dollar Tree, as well as Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and other discount retailers in the United States have flagged a cautious environment for spending over the past few weeks. Dollarama also forecast a 3%-4% growth in comparable sales for the year. CEO Neil Rossy said: "We expect that...

Refined Products

US producer prices rise more than expected in may amid a jump in energy costs

The Middle East conflict has driven up the price of energy products, resulting in a?largest annual gain in three-and-a half years. The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Thursday that the?Producer Price Index?for?final Demand?advanced 1.1%?last month?after a downwardly-revised 1.1% surge in March. The economists polled had predicted the PPI would rise 0.7%, after an earlier reported 1.4% increase in April. The PPI rose 6.5% in the year to May, which is the highest increase since November 2022. Nearly 80% of PPI's rise was due to a 2.8% increase in goods prices, mainly energy products. Prices of?services rose by...

Refined Products

Fuel stations run out of fuel in Crimea after a new night of Ukrainian drone attacks

Witnesses reported that fuel stations in the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula?were?out of petrol on Thursday as the escalating Ukrainian campaign to cut off supply lines into the peninsula?. A? A witness in Sevastopol said that most petrol stations in the city were out of fuel. Supplies are struggling to keep up even with the recent rationing. Another said that in Yevpatoriya's resort town, there was a queue of people waiting outside the only petrol station. Ukraine has intensified drone strikes against supply lines for the peninsula that Russia captured from Kyiv in 2014. Local authorities have implemented fuel rationing, and some...

Refined Products

India rejects US claim of excess capacity in textiles and steel

Amitabh Kumra, a trade official in India, said that India did not have'surplus manufacturing capacity' in textiles and steel as claimed in the Section 301 investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative. Washington has cited structural surplus capacity in Indian industries, from solar panels and petrochemicals, to steel and textiles. It also cites its $42 billion goods trade deficit with the United States by 2025. Kumar, India's Additional Trade Secretary, said that its textile and Steel output should be evaluated in relation to the size of its population, its domestic demand, and its growth needs rather than its absolute production. "Overcapacity"...

Energy Markets

As Trump turns 80, his setbacks are fueling talk of a lame duck presidency.

U.S. president Donald 'Trump' is trying to project strength in his 80th year, but setbacks both at home and abroad expose the limits of his power and push him towards the lame-duck situation he told aides that he was determined to avoid. His approval ratings are declining and the courts are pushing him back. He is 17 months into his second tenure. His fellow Republicans are also defying his leadership, though his core supporters remain loyal. Trump still has considerable clout. He has helped to oust Republican incumbents from primaries and has pursued aggressive trade policies. Trump has pursued high-profile...

Refined Products

Oil prices rise as tensions between the US and Iran flare up again, while stocks are tightened

After?the U.S. The military launched new attacks against Iran, and market data revealed another large drawdown in U.S. oil stocks. Brent futures climbed 66 cents or 0.7% to $92.11 a bar at 0406 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude crude crude climbed by 60 cents or 0.7% to $88.80. After President Donald Trump promised to act on the downing of an Apache attack helicopter by the U.S., this was a new escalation which threatened to unravel a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran. Priyanka?Nova, a senior analyst at Phillip 'Nova, stated that the latest attacks have shifted traders’ focus to...

Europe

Refined Products

Oil prices rise $2 after Iran announces the closure of Strait of Hormuz as a result of US strikes

Oil prices rose?more than?$2 a barrel on Thursday after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz - a critical energy chokepoint - following the U.S.'s additional strikes against Iran. Brent futures rose by $2.30 or 2.47% to $95.40 per barrel. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), which is a derivative of WTI, rose by $2.60 or 2.89% to $92.63. U.S. crude futures gained over $3 in the early part of the session. Iran's top Joint Military Command announced on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed to all vessels, including commercial and oil tankers, with the warning that...

Refined Products

IIR reports that the gasoline unit of Nigeria's biggest refinery will resume full rates by mid-June.

IIR Energy, a monitor of the oil industry in Nigeria, said that Dangote's refinery had derated its gasoline-making unit (RFCC), by 34%. The?unit is expected to resuming full fares around mid-June. The refinery didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. "Initially, the lighter crude that was being processed resulted?insufficient feed availability for the RFCCU. By the end of the month, IIR Energy confirmed that there was a problem with the RFCCU's flue gas sliding gate valve. IIR confirmed that the repair work is nearly complete on "that issue" in an email. Fuel prices are at record highs due to...

Refined Products

As US launches new attacks against Iran and supply tightens, oil prices rise by almost 1%

The oil prices rose about 1% Wednesday after the U.S. military launched a new strike against Iran, and market data revealed another large drawdown in U.S. crude stock. After President Donald Trump promised on Tuesday that he would respond to the downing overnight of a U.S. Apache helicopter, there was a new escalation which threatens to unravel a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran. Brent futures rose 83c, or 0.9%, to $92.29 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), climbed 68c, or 0.8% to $88.97. Brent closed at its lowest level on Tuesday since April 17 while WTI...

Western Europe

Middle East

Energy Markets

Oil prices rise more than $1 after traders become uneasy over the escalation of US-Iran tensions

The oil prices rose on Thursday after Iran declared that the Strait of Hormuz was a 'critical energy chokepoint' and 'closed it if necessary. This came as the U.S. launched more strikes against Iran, while President Donald Trump threatened to launch even more attacks in the event of a failed peace agreement. Brent futures were up $1.48 or 1.59% to $94.58 per barrel at 0243 GMT. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), which is a blend of WTI and Brent, was up $1.71 or 1.90% to $91.74. U.S. crude oil futures rose by more than $3 in the early...

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...

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...

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....

Crude Oil

Gunvor claims it is not the target of Swiss Prosecutor in bribery investigation

Global commodity trading company Gunvor confirmed on Tuesday that its Geneva office was searched by Swiss prosecutors in May. However, it said in a press release that they were not the subject of the investigation. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland stated that the search was part of an?investigation into the bribery of officials abroad by unknown persons. The prosecutor stated that it could not provide any further information?on a ongoing investigation. Gunvor stated in its statement that it had reported "issues" to the Swiss authorities over a year ago. It stated that it was cooperating with the...

Crude Oil

Russell: It's not about altruism, but economics that's driving China's crude imports to slump.

China's imports of crude oils by sea fell to their lowest level in nearly 10 years in may as a result of the Iran War. This led to a drastic reorganization of operations for the world's largest oil importer. According to data compiled by Kpler, seaborne arrivals of crude oil were down to 6.36 million barrels each day in May from 8.10 in April. This was the lowest since October 2016. The imports also fell by a little over half of the 11,39 million bpd that Kpler recorded for February. This was the 'last full month' before the U.S.-Israeli attack...

Refined Products

Trump dismisses the midterm elections pressure and says he will outwait Iran

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that he is not concerned about the political fallout from an extended conflict with Iran. He also stated that the Iranian leaders miscalculated when they thought the November midterm elections would compel him to a 'deal. Trump, speaking of Iran's leaders at a cabinet meeting in the White House, said: "They thought that they would outwait me." You know, "We'll be able to outwait him. He has the midterms. "I don't really care about the midterms." Trump made these comments while he was discussing how to end conflict. Many of Trump's Republican allies had...

Energy Markets

Aramco will transfer PRefChem shares to Malaysian Petronas

The Saudi state oil giant Aramco has announced that it will transfer its equity stakes in joint ventures for petrochemicals and refining in Malaysia to Petronas. This ends an eight-year partnership between the two companies. In a joint press release, the two companies said that the deal is subject to closing conditions and will turn PRefChem into a fully owned subsidiary of Malaysia's state energy company. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The?deal highlights how the Iran War is reshaping Asian energy partnerships. Since late February, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed, reducing crude oil...

Fossil Fuels

Trump links Abraham Accords with Iran Deal

U.S. president?Donald Trump said on 'Monday that it should be mandatory for all countries, including Qatar, Pakistan and Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, to sign the Abraham Accords en bloc as part?of a?effort to reach a?deal with Iran. Trump said he spoke to the leaders of these countries on Saturday, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, which has already signed the Abraham Accords. Trump said in a post posted on Truth?Social that it was "mandatory" that at least all these countries sign the Abraham Accords simultaneously. He said that these countries would be honored to have Iran included in the...

Oil & Gas Refining

Indian retailers increase fuel prices for the fourth time in a row to curb losses

Dealers said that India's state-owned fuel retailers raised diesel prices by 2.71 rupees ($0.0283) and petrol by 2.61 rupees per litre, marking the fourth increase in a month to recover some losses caused by higher crude oil costs as a result of the Iran War. Indian state fuel retailers who control 90% of the Indian market began increasing pump prices on May 15, after elections were completed in certain key states. Since then, the state companies have increased?the price of petrol and diesel by approximately 7.8% and 8.6% respectively. New Delhi petrol will cost 102.12 rupees per litre, and diesel...