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North America

Fossil Fuels

Trump tells Ukraine's Zelenskiy to stop hitting Russian diesel

U.S. President Donald?Trump called on Ukrainian president Volodymyr?Zelenskiy on Sunday to stop attacking Russian diesel infrastructure. He said the attacks are causing a fuel shortage that "hurts the world". In recent months, long-distance Ukrainian?drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have reduced the country's fuel production. This has led to gasoline shortages in all of Russia. Ukraine, which is regularly attacked by Russia on its own energy infrastructure says that refineries are legitimate targets. According to GasBuddy, the U.S. average price of?diesel - used in trucks, trains and ships, as well as farm equipment - rose above $6 per gallon on...

Oil & Gas

Sources say that the White House is evaluating how it can use the Defense Production Act (DPA) to expand US oil refinery capacity.

According to sources familiar with the plans of the administration, the White House is considering?how it can use the Defense Production Act in order to increase U.S. oil refinery capacity. The conflict with Iran has exposed the country's vulnerability due to global crude supply disruptions and price increases. This extraordinary move highlights the growing pressure on the Trump administration to demonstrate that it can control the impact of rising fuel prices for consumers and businesses in advance of the midterm elections scheduled for November. Sources said that the proposal to use the act was brought up at a recent White...

Energy Markets

Chevron CEO: Depleted crude oil reserves could lead to higher price

Chevron CEO, Mike 'Wirth' said on Friday that the oil buffers which limited crude prices increases during the Iran War have been exhausted and that the conflict may cause the price to rise further in the coming months. Since the beginning of the war in late February, some countries have released crude stocks to the market. The U.S. has also lifted restrictions on oil that is stored on floating ships from countries subject to?sanctions. Wirth, speaking at the University of Texas?at Austin's energy conference, said that those buffers had now "played themselves out". He said that it was difficult to...

Refined Products

Inflation in the US increases in August

U.S. consumer price increases accelerated in August as gasoline prices rebounded after two consecutive monthly drops. This boosted financial market expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve next week. Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Labor Department announced on Friday that Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in August after increasing by 0.1% in July. Consumer inflation increased by 3.4% in the 12-month period ending August after increasing by the same amount in July. The economists polled predicted that the CPI would increase by 0.4% in the month of August and 3.4% on an annual basis. The CPI increased...

Fossil Fuels

IEA warns that the oil gap in 2026 will increase due to the delayed return of normal Gulf flow

The International Energy Agency announced on Friday that global oil demand and supply will be lower than originally thought. This is because the Iran War has not been resolved, and the return to 'normal Middle East flows' until 2027 is delayed. Fuel prices are also expected to rise as a result. Crude prices have reached $110 per barrel for the first week since May due to an increase in attacks on oil tankers along Middle East shipping routes. This increase is overshadowed, however, by the record-breaking price of diesel. The IEA has now predicted that the world's oil supply will...

Refined Products

Gasoline prices likely to rise in August for US consumers

U.S. consumer price increases are likely to accelerate in August, as gasoline prices?rebound after two consecutive monthly declines. This would confirm financial market expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike next week. Labor Department's upcoming Consumer Price Index report will follow the Producer Price Index, which was released on Thursday. The Producer Price Index is the measure of inflation that the U.S. Central Bank uses to track its 2% inflation target. The Fed Governor Christopher Waller said at a NEXT Newsmaker Event that he would be inclined to maintain rates if the data showed that inflation pressures had cooled....

Refined Products

Prices of oil to rise above $100 in the final week for the first time since nearly 4 months

The price of oil rose on Friday, and both major benchmarks will 'end the week above $100 per barrel for the first time since mid-May. This is due to the increasing number of attacks on key shipping routes across the Middle East. Brent crude futures rose $1.05 or 1% to $108.68 per barrel at 0045 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude rose 95 cents or 1% to $103.45 per barrel. Both benchmarks were up over 6% Thursday. The benchmarks gained nearly 13% on a weekly basis - the biggest gain since the week ending July 17. The Houthis, who are...

Crude Oil

Sources say that Dangote Oil refinery will buy 16 million barrels Nigerian crude in October.

According to four sources in the industry, Nigeria's Dangote Refinery has purchased at least 16,000,000 barrels of Nigerian crude oil for arrival in October. This is consistent with previous months, and significantly higher than average last year as Africa's biggest refinery ramps-up processing. Dangote has 16 million barrels of?oil, which is a combination of monthly allocations by Nigerian National Petroleum Company, and volumes purchased in a tender. This amounts to around 520,000 barrels / day. This is the majority of the refinery's?700,000.bpd monthly intake. Investors are focusing on the feedstock in preparation for an initial public offer. The purchases will...

Crude Oil

Brent Brent rises above $100 after tanker attacks exacerbate supply fears

Sethuraman, N. R. NEW DELHI, September 10 - Oil prices held steady on Thursday, after Brent crude surpassed $100 per barrel. Traders braced for further supply disruptions, as 'Iran and United States launched their biggest attacks?on shipping since the six-month conflict began. Brent crude futures fell by 0.1%, to $101.10 per barrel at 0256 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude was $96.24 per barrel, an increase of 0.2%. Brent prices are up nearly 30% since the lows of early August. A permanent agreement between the U.S.A. and Iran on a cease-fire never materialised. Iran announced on Wednesday that it had...

Refined Products

Sources say that Venezuela's opposition will soon lose control of US refiner Citgo

The Venezuelan opposition-controlled boards that have supervised U.S.-based refiner Citgo Petroleum for ?the last seven years are preparing to ?wind down as soon as this ?month, ?following a shake-up by Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez, two sources involved in the preparations said. Rodriguez started preparing to take control of the refinery owned by Venezuela earlier this year after Washington recognized her government. Her government replaced Nicolas Maduro’s administration, after he had been captured by U.S. troops in January. According to U.S. courts filings, the interim president's administration replaced law firms who had previously?represented Venezuelan and state-run PDVSA oil company in...

Energy Markets

As a wave of US-Iran strikes exposes the dwindling safety network, oil prices surpass $100

The price of oil topped $100 per barrel for the first six-week period on Wednesday, as an escalation of fighting between U.S. forces and 'Iranian forces raised concerns about the supply coming from the region. This also heightened fears over inflationary pressures and increased energy costs. Brent, the global benchmark for oil, has increased by 25 percent since early last week as hope fades of a permanent solution to the six-month old U.S./Iran conflict. This week, the rally intensified after Iran-backed Houthi attacked Saudi energy installations and set them ablaze. The increased risk of disruptions spreading across the Gulf region...

Crude Oil

Brent crude crosses $100 per barrel amid Middle East conflict

Benchmark Brent crude oil futures surpassed $100 per barrel on Wednesday, reaching a six-week high. They also broke the symbolic barrier for the first since July 24, as the intensifying conflict in Middle East increased concerns about oil flow from the region. Brent crude futures rose $2.01 or 2.05% to $99.93 per barrel at 0802 GMT after touching $100.19 earlier. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude gained $1.49 or 1.60% to $94.52 per barrel. Brent crude prices are up by a quarter compared to early last month, as the hope for a permanent solution to the six-month old U.S./Iran conflict fades....

Europe

Fossil Fuels

Hungary will give subsidies to diesel car owners

The government of Hungary will provide a 'targeted subsidy' to households that use diesel-powered cars as fuel prices have increased. However, the price cap won't be introduced as it could lead to a shortage in supplies. Magyar stated in a post on Facebook that Europe was experiencing a?diesel crisis unprecedented in its history. The global diesel market has tightened dramatically in recent weeks. Industry executives have warned that the supply will remain constrained through 'winter, due to Russia's export embargo, and the approaching peak of 'heating demand. Magyar stated that his government will "provide direct and effective support to the...

Refined Products

Nabiullina, the Russian central bank's Nabiullina, on interest rates and economy

Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of the Russian Central Bank and Alexei Zabotkin, Deputy Governor held a press conference on Friday following the bank's decision to leave its benchmark interest rate at 14%. Nabiullina and Zabotkin both spoke Russian. The following quotes were translated by into English. NABIULLINA POLICY OPTIONS DISSCUSSED, AND NEXT STEPS We discussed the issue of maintaining the current interest rate. This meeting was different from the last one in that we did not discuss a rate reduction. We will update our assessment of the future room for rate cuts in the October forecast update. We do, however, note...

Crude Oil

ROI-A $2,000 iPhone, double-digit oil and yen whiplash: Five charts of the financial week

Open Interest (ROI), every Friday, distills the financial week into five key charts that highlight the major trends and surprises, as well as the overlooked moves, that have characterized the last five days. 1. TRIPLE DIGIT COMEBACK RON BOUSSO is a columnist for ROI Energy. Benchmark Brent crude has risen 'above $100 a bar this week, after 'fresh titt-for-tat attack in the Middle East.?Including?the largest wave of strikes against oil tankers since the Iran War began more than six months back. This raises the multi-billion dollar question: How much oil is leaving the Strait of Hormuz actually? The market is...

Western Europe

Middle East

Energy Markets

Sources say Asian refiners are seeking a Brent price swap in Saudi crude term negotiations

Two Asian refiners, according to sources familiar with the matter, have asked Saudi Aramco to switch the benchmark for their long-term crude contracts from Dubai to ICE Brent. Middle Eastern price indicators have surged over Brent since August, due to the increasing tensions between Iran and the United States. The APPEC Conference in Singapore is an annual gathering of Middle Eastern producers and Asian refining companies to discuss long-term contracts. These are usually finalised by the end of the year. Sources said that refiners requested supplies for 2027 during this week's discussions. They cited the increased volatility of the Middle...

Crude Oil

Trump threatens to attack Pickaxe Mountain after he says the Iran war will end after US midterm elections

Donald Trump has said that he expects the war against Iran to end following the midterm elections in November. He also threatened to 'again' attack a nuclear site linked to the Islamic Republic after both sides launched their 'biggest wave of strikes on shipping since the beginning of the six-month war. Saudi civil defense authorities issued emergency alerts on Thursday in Khamis Mushait, a city in southwest Yemen, for the fourth consecutive day, after clashes with the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. Brent crude prices were above $100 per barrel, as both supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz...

Fossil Fuels

Data shows that despite the 'dark crossings,' one third of Gulf Oil is still missing.

* The global shortage of uranium has been eased by clandestine shipments Oil prices have risen because of the uncertainty over oil volumes * Difference between peak daily flows and the average Dmitry Zhdannikov & Anushree Mukerjee LONDON, September?9, - Estimates of Middle Eastern oil flows have been wildly varying since tankers started "dark crossings", meaning that they sail without transponder signals, to avoid Iranian attacks. The clandestine "shipments" have greatly increased supplies while the incertitude over their scope has added to the premium on international oil prices. Last week, U.S. Diesel prices reached a record high. Last week, the...

Crude Oil

Why isn't the price of oil higher than $100 despite disruptions in supply?

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, has risen this month. However it has remained below $100 per barrel despite the recent escalation of the U.S. - Iran conflict which has caused disruptions in Gulf exports via the Strait of Hormuz or the Red Sea. According to Argus, Crude Oil?shipments are now at 11 million barrels a day (bpd), down from 18 million bpd prior to the Iran War seven months ago. What are the factors that influence oil prices? SIGNIFICANT VOLUMES CAN FLOW?THROUGH HORMIZ Claudio Galimberti, Rystad's Chief Economical Officer, stated that in the week prior to fighting...

Energy Markets

Libya's NOC reports drone attempt at fuel depot

The National Oil Corporation (NOC), a state-owned company, said in a press release that a remote-controlled 'drone' attack on a fuel depot in Tripoli, Libya, caused?minor damages. As a precaution, the NOC stated that teams of technical experts had started removing fuel from tanks. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack and the authorities have not revealed who they believe was behind it. The attack caused minor damage to tanks and pipelines no. Ahmed Al-Masallati is the?spokesperson of Brega Petroleum Marketing, who are responsible for Libya's fuel supply. The incident had no impact on supply operations and there were...

Fossil Fuels

Sources say that OPEC+ is likely to maintain its oil production policy on Sunday.

Three sources 'close to the issue' told us that OPEC+ will likely keep its oil production?policy for October unchanged at a meeting this Sunday. The producer group has completed the unwinding one layer of cuts in production and is now focusing on 2027 quota negotiation. The Iran War continues to disrupt oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz. This reduces OPEC+’s influence on prices and market share. The group's decisions on supply now have less impact on the market than in the past. The meeting on Sunday will include seven core OPEC+ countries: Saudi Arabia (and Russia), Kuwait, Algeria and...

Oil & Gas

US Energy Secretary says Venezuelan oil production will more than double within the next few years

Energy Secretary Chris Wright of the United States said that after arriving in Venezuela on Tuesday, the oil companies in the U.S. as well as?other countries will sign deals in Caracas tomorrow that will result in a more-than-doubling in crude production over the next few year. Wright is in Venezuela for a day-long visit, his second trip since U.S. troops seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's office in January. Venezuelan oil production peaked at over 3 million barrels a day in the late 90s, but then plummeted due to a lack investment, poor management and U.S. sanction. In recent months, it...

Refined Products

US energy chief: Venezuelan oil production to double within a few years

Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy Secretary, said that after arriving in Venezuela on Tuesday that the 'deals' that oil companies from the U.S. The oil companies from the United States and other countries will sign deals in Caracas tomorrow that will result in a more-than-doubling of crude oil production over the next few decades. Wright is on a one day trip to Venezuela, the founding OPEC member. This is his second visit since U.S. troops seized Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro as leader in January. Venezuelan oil production peaked at over 3?million barrels a day in the late 1990s, but then?plummeted due...

Fossil Fuels

Can the Middle East help with Asia's low refined fuel imports? Russell

The Iranian conflict has continued to affect the supply of refined petroleum products in Asia. In August, the region that consumes the most refined fuels saw its imports drop to their lowest level since the start of the war. Asia's imports of light and medium distillates were estimated at 5,10 million barrels a day (bpd), down from 5,61 million bpd during July, according to Kpler data, a commodities analyst. Imports are down by about 2 million bpd, compared to the 7.06 million bpd average in the three months prior to February 28, when Israel and the U.S. launched airstrikes against...

Oil & Gas Refining

Japan's oil imports rose 17% in July, as US supplies jumped

Japan's crude oil imports increased by 17% from the previous year in July, as a result of a surge in U.S. Official data released on Monday showed that?shipments, a resurgence in Saudi Arabian purchases and lower supplies from Middle Eastern producers were offset by a rise in?supplies. The Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry reported that imports increased to 2,38 million barrels a day (11.72 millions kilolitres) for the second consecutive month despite disruptions caused by the U.S./Israeli war against Iran. Imports to?the Middle East dropped 21.4% from July. The United Arab Emirates, Japan's two largest suppliers, and Saudi Arabia...

Refined Products

Russell: Crude oil imports from Asia remain soft in August, despite US claims about the Hormuz blockade

Asia's crude oil imports in August were still far below levels before the Iran conflict. This raises further questions about how much crude actually leaves the Middle East. According to Kpler's data, the top-importing continent will see an arrival of 23,12 million barrels per day (bpd) this August. This is a slight decrease from July, when 23.36 million bpd were expected. Imports have also fallen by almost?4 million bpd or 14% from the average of 26,91 million bpd for the three-month period ending in February. The United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on 28 February, prompting Tehran...

Crude Oil

Russell: Iran's response to D-Day sanctions is crucial.

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury secretary, invoked the 1944 D-Day landings of Allied forces in?France when announcing sanctions against Iran. The measures taken are superior to the much less successful Anzio Beachhead landing in Italy, which was another amphibious landing during World War II. Anzio was a battle that began with a successful landing of the Allies, but a lack of leadership led to the campaign stalling and turning into a long campaign of attrition. Bessent’s new measures are designed to choke Iran economically. They target companies and countries that do business with Iran in five different sectors: digital assets, technology...