Oil Markets

Production is at fresh lows and prices are following suit, but there are signs Angola is taking steps to stem the decline. Joel Hanley talks to Eklavya Gupte and Kristi Rotlaender about an expected upturn in demand for Angola's heavy sweet crude, and China's role as a major buyer.

Crude oil pipeline contamination in Europe has boosted gasoline cracks, which are masking a softer reality across regions. S&P Global Platts editors Eleni Pittalis, Solomon Lanitis and Tamara Sleiman discuss market dynamics on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the product offering from...

After months near parity, the spread between high and low sulfur fuel oil has suddenly blown out. What's behind this move and what could it mean for the feedstocks market? Eleni Pittalis and Sarah-Jane Flaws explain all to Joel Hanley.

The expiration of the US-issued Iranian sanctions waivers has now passed, leaving regular buyers of Iranian crude – and the fuel oil market – short of a regular supply line. S&P Global Platts reporters Tamara Sleiman and Eklavya Gupte tell Joel Hanley who they think the winners...

A high dose of organic chlorides in Urals crude oil has shut down European refineries and led to severe logistical and price complications. S&P Global Platts reporters Paula Vanlaningham and Robert Perkins tell Joel Hanley the latest on the scandal.

The US announced the end of all waivers from Iran oil sanctions when they expire on May 2. Ada Taib, Eesha Muneeb and Andrew Toh, S&P Global Platts editors in Asia, examine what this announcement means to crude oil buyers in the region, with China, India, and South Korea being among the biggest...

As ever, the Middle East Petroleum & Gas Conference has provided plenty to talk about from currency rows to Trump tweets. Fresh from Dubai, Dave Ernsberger, S&P Global Platts global head of energy, and Vera Blei, global director of oil markets, join Joel Hanley, editorial director,...

With heavy sour crudes seeing remarkable value versus their light sweet counterparts, how are Russia's Urals and the Europe's fuel oil markets responding? S&P Global Platts reporters Gillian Carr and Sarah-Jane Flaws give Joel Hanley the lowdown.

Forward prices of high sulfur fuel oil are seeing understandable pressure as 2020 approaches. S&P Global Platts reporters Tamara Sleiman and Jack Jordan discuss this with Joel Hanley, as well as the possible options for bitumen producers looking for a new benchmark.

S&P Global Platts reporters Emma Kettley and Gillian Carr speak to Joel Hanley about the sudden strong buying interest in the North Sea Dated Brent crude complex, as well as the knock-on effect on grades such as Russia's Urals.

Ahead of the African Refiners' Association conference in Cape Town, S&P Global Platts reporters Francesco Di Salvo and Eklavya Gupte tell Joel Hanley of the trends, challenges and opportunities facing the continent's oil industry.

US crude is returning to China in small volumes, signaling growing confidence among Chinese buyers that the ongoing trade talks between China and the US will yield a favorable outcome. Sinopec most recently bought a VLCC of US crude to be delivered to China in late May, after having halted all...

S&P Global Platts Joel Hanley, Dave Ernsberger and Francesco Di Salvo discuss the highs and lows of London's International Petroleum Week. As ever, the oil industry's flagship gathering provided plenty debate on the markets, as well as talking points on environmental and diversity issues.

As traders are set to gather in London for International Petroleum Week, S&P Global Platts reporters from across the barrel tell Joel Hanley which oil stories will be heard in the meetings and parties around town. Taking in the biggest themes from crude, fuel, distillates and light ends, the...

In this edition of the podcast, S&P Global Platts Francesco Di Salvo joins editors Eklavya Gupte and Philip Reeder to discuss the lead-up to the Nigerian general election on February 16. The election pits incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari against Atiku Abubakar from the People's Democractic...

Sour crude oil differentials have risen sharply relative to sweet crude grades in the Atlantic Basin as OPEC moves to cut back on production, sending the differential between the Brent and Dubai markets to its narrowest levels since 2017. In this edition of the podcast, S&P Global Platts...

S&P Global Platts editors Tamara Sleiman, Philip Reeder and Eklavya Gupte tell Joel Hanley how the inversion in fuel oil and naphtha cracks speaks of structural shortages in heavy ends and very challenging market conditions for the top of the barrel.

Platts editors Joel Hanley and Paula VanLaningham discuss the January 14 subscriber note on the inclusion of offers on a CIF Rotterdam basis into FOB Dated Brent crude oil from November 2019. What could the change mean and what's the feedback been? RELATED DETAILS Subscriber Note: Platts proposes...

The Turkish straits form the link between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean – a crucial choke point for transporting crude oil. But this year, poor weather and frequent closures in the Bosporus and Dardanelles have led to the longest shipping delays through the straits in at least 10 years....

After the recent S&P Global Platts consultation on the Dated Brent benchmark, Platts editors Robert Beaman and Paula Vanlaningham discuss with Joel Hanley the possibility of extra crude oil being delivered into the assessment.

As maritime authorities report a rising number of GPS disruptions, the scale of the digital tampering in an industry which relies heavily on the technology as a navigation tool is coming to light. In this edition of the podcast, S&P Global Platts Iain Stevenson talks with Katherine Dunn to...

S&P Global Platts reporters Virgine Malicier and Francesco Di Salvo tell Joel Hanley about soaring strength in European diesel markets brought on by the chronically shallow Rhine river. Related article (with infographic): Record low Rhine water levels continue to impact commodities

Noteworthy weakness in the European gasoline complex has weighed on light ends fundamentals in recent weeks. A culmination of heavy supply, combined with closed export arbitrage outlets, has lengthened the region and subsequently spilled over into the naphtha market where participants are already...

Despite the environmental pressure on plastics, petrochemical demand is booming. Given the link to oil via naphtha and propane, Platts reporters Philip Reeder and Lara Berton discuss with Joel Hanley the impact of weak petroleum feedstock prices and the large pethchem plant outages on the way.

The European low sulfur vacuum gasoil market has been facing bearish headwinds in recent weeks on the back of rapidly weakening gasoline cracks. S&P Global Platts EMEA fuel oil managing editor John Morley is joined by editors Tamara Sleiman and Solomon Lanitis to examine the current state of...