Oil Markets

The US has ramped up its naval presence in the Caribbean, following several strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coast of major oil producer Venezuela. Yet oil prices have barely budged as Latin American production continues to ramp up. What is the role of Guyana and Argentina's emerging crudes, and how do flows to destinations like India fit into Trump's strategy? How are Perm...

In this Oil Markets podcast, we discuss the outlook for diesel and jet fuel/kerosene demand in Asia in the fourth quarter of 2025. This period is always critical, but as we approach the end of the year, a complex interplay of seasonal patterns, supply constraints, geopolitical developments, and economic factors is shaping the landscape.  S&P Global Commodity Insights' market reporters,  Ng Mei Hue...

Following the resumption of Kirkuk crude exports on September 27, 2025, the oil markets are poised for significant shifts. This development marks a crucial turning point for the Mediterranean oil landscape, as the Iraqi grade reenters the market amid ongoing geopolitical dynamics and supply chain adjustments. In this episode,  John Morley is joined by crude oil reporters Luke Stuart and Ernest Pue...

A jump in US crude exports has helped to boost prices for high sulfur fuel oil, supplies of which are currently tight. What is driving demand for US crude to South Korea and India? What is the connection between low US imports of heavy crudes and HSFO supply tightness? What is the short-term outlook for HSFO? And why is the Trump administration pushing back on international net-zero shipping fuels...

With European imports of products refined from Russian crude oil set to be banned in the beginning of 2026, the spotlight is on exporters such as India and Turkey, and how flows of diesel and jet fue l in the EMEA region are anticipated to change in the coming months. Gary Clark is joined by middle-distillate reporters Nadia Bliznikova and Aruni Sunil to delve into the shifting trade patterns of o...

In the wake of APPEC 2025, China's evolving oil demand and the impact on global shipping markets are in the spotlight. With China's oil consumption slowing and India's robust demand outlook, the intricate balance of these factors has major implications for global energy supply chains.  Asia energy editor Sambit Mohanty sits down with head of China content Alice Niu and head of Asia shipping and fr...

Dangote's RFCC outage has added additional length to the global fuel oil market, with Singapore blending significant volumes of feedstocks into their very low sulfur fuel oil bunkering pool. Host Gary Clark is joined by Charlie Wright, Joseph Jaffe and Kelly Norways to explore the impact of the outage on the fuel oil market in the EMEA and Asia regions.

As the US transitions to higher-volatility gasoline grades, refiners are adjusting their strategies to balance supply and demand amid seasonal maintenance and export pressures, which also have implications for butane demand. In this episode, the team unpacks the mechanics of the RVP transition, the impact of refinery issues in Mexico, and the growing demand for LPG in Southeast Asia. Jeff Mower, d...

During the summer season, warmer temperatures and muted levels of demand should traditionally bring length to the LPG markets. This certainly appears to have materialized in the propane markets, but a tightness in the butane market seems to be painting a different picture. How has supply been affected over the summer months, and what can we expect from the LPG market in the short-term with re-emer...

APPEC to look at Asia's changing energy narrative amid tariffs and transition   Navigating trade, technology and transition—that's the theme of this year's Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference, or APPEC 2025, by S&P Global Commodity Insights. It is scheduled to take place during September 8-11 in Singapore, where CEOs, government officials and market experts will share their insights on geopolitical...

The world's attention has turned the US in recent days after back-to-back peace summits separately involving Russia's and Ukraine's presidents. But in the absence of a ceasefire deal, drone attacks have taken on a new intensity, continuing to claim civilian lives and knocking out critical infrastructure. In the past week alone, Russia has sustained damage to at least five major oil refineries, as...

US diesel prices have rallied this summer as strong export demand has helped to tighten inventories, while jet fuel prices have remained stable. With diesel stocks remaining tight, export demand, refinery maintenance and hurricane season present upside risks to prices. In contrast, jet fuel is well supplied, keeping a lid on prices. The outlook for both diesel and jet fuel has been complicated by...

An outbreak of crude contamination impacting Azerbaijan's Azeri Light supply has set Europe's refiners on edge. As buyers seek to avoid being hit with corrosive organic chlorides, prices for the premium crude grade have tumbled, and some refiners have been forced to draw on emergency oil reserves. Kelly Norways, a downstream oil news reporter, is joined by senior news team editor Nick Coleman, Sam...

Heavy crude supplies to the US Gulf Coast have tightened. Waterborne imports have dropped sharply, driven largely by declines from Mexico and Venezuela. Canadian wildfires have further limited access to heavy barrels, and refiners like Valero are starting to feel the squeeze. Why are Mexican and Venezuelan crude imports collapsing, and can they recover? Why aren't USGC refiners just turning to Can...

  Oil is going through a period of uneasy calm. The higher-than-expected rise in OPEC+ production quotas for August, combined with a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, has provided oil markets some breathing space and introduced a bearish sentiment to prices, but new EU sanctions on Russia and the possibility of additional secondary sanctions by Washington could alter the price and trade flow scen...

With the UK at risk of losing its second oil refinery in less than six months, Europe's refining sector is showing growing signs of strain. In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, Gary Clark is joined by reporters Elza Turner and Kelly Norways to unpack why healthy margins are failing to prevent closures in a year that has already seen the most shutdowns since the coronavirus pandemic....

In this episode, the Americas NGLs pricing team discusses Gulf Coast and Canada NGL market dynamics. Light ends manager Sarah Hernandez and LPG reporters Hunter Marrow and Marcus Still review conditions from 2024 that led to record-high export premiums and compare those conditions with the current market context. They also analyze changes in export flows amid geopolitical tensions and discuss poss...

With European middle-distillate markets remaining well-supplied amid turbulence in the Middle East, the prospect of new legislation regarding the origin of European product imports provides fuel for thought for market participants. To discuss the latest developments in the middle-distillate markets, Gary Clark is joined by Virginie Malicier and Nadia Bliznikova with a sharp focus on diesel and jet...

Oil prices rallied following Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear and military targets, but just as quickly reversed after the US bombed three of Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities. War premiums were mostly erased after US President Donald Trump said Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire.  Jeff Mower, director of Americas oil news, speaks about the price swings, US crude production growth, global...

A sudden ramp-up in tensions as Israel and Iran exchange blows has proved impactful for oil markets in the EMEA region. In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, Gary Clark is joined by front-line reporters Joey Daly, Jan Kedzior and Dias Kazym to discuss how the volatility in the Middle East is shaping the European markets in crude oil, middle-distillates and light ends.

Energy Asia will be held from June 16-18, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The role of national oil companies in securing a net-zero future, the challenges in navigating energy security, the scope for fossil fuels growth, as well as the pressure Asian companies are facing to pursue sustainable growth will be some of the key themes that will be in focus. In this episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcas...

The Memorial Day weekend in the US is often considered the kickoff to the summer driving season, a period of heightened gasoline demand where families take vacations and refiners profit on healthier margins. But how is the European supply and demand balance coping with changes in the global refining picture, as some European refineries shut down while production ramps up in Africa and further afie...

Mexico is facing regional gasoline shortages as its refining system struggles to meet demand, deepening reliance on U.S. imports. With the Dos Bocas refinery not expected to reach full capacity until 2026, questions loom over the role of private importers in supplying the country with gasoline. In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast by S&P Global Commodity Insights, host Jeff Mower is joined b...

The proposed 2025 Section 301 actions by the US Trade Representative (USTR) against China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors could reshape merchant shipping trade. These historic measures include significant port fees and operational restrictions based on vessel ownership and cargo type. This unprecedented approach not only targets Chinese interests but also influences global shipping...

In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast, host Joel Hanley is joined by front-line North Sea reporters Natasha Tan and Joey Daly to mark the second anniversary of US crude WTI Midland's inclusion in the Dated Brent benchmark and the current dynamics underpinning the North Sea markets. How has the addition of WTI Midland improved the robustness of the benchmark amid shifting dynamics in the Atlan...