

Oil Ground Up
Oil Ground Up
Rory Johnston navigates listeners through the financial market dynamics of the world's oil and gas sector. Get the latest fundamentals behind the price action and hear from industry experts from the field and from the corporate offices of the world's leading energy producers.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 1min
Tariff Tensions: US-India Trade Under the Spotlight with Russia in the Shadows
In this episode of the Oil Ground Up podcast, host Rory Johnston delves into the complex dynamics of US-India trade relations, focusing on the recent imposition of secondary tariffs by President Trump in response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil. Joined by Gregory Brew, a senior analyst at Eurasia Group, the discussion explores whether these tariffs are a strategic move in broader trade negotiations or a direct response to the India-Russia oil trade. Tune in to understand the implications of these tariffs on global oil markets and the geopolitical landscape. #USIndiaTrade #Tariffs #OilMarket

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 10min
Canadian Oil: Growth in the Duverney and Montney, and the Race for MEG
In this episode of "Oil Ground Up," host Rory Johnston delves into the dynamic landscape of the Western Canadian oil and gas sector with expert insights from Michael Spyker, Principal Analyst at HTM Energy Partners. The discussion navigates the complexities of the non-oil sands sector, focusing on the Montney and Duvernay plays, and explores the strategic implications of Strathcona's bid for MEG Energy. Tune in to understand the evolving trends, challenges, and opportunities within this pivotal industry. Don't miss this deep dive into the heart of Canada's energy frontier.

11 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 19min
Oil's Power Play: Sanctions and Global Economic Strategy with Rachel Ziemba
Rachel Ziemba, founder of Ziemba Insights and a geoeconomic expert, joins to discuss the complex world of sanctions and oil. She unpacks how the Trump administration’s strategies altered the global oil market, leading to the rise of a 'shadow fleet' moving oil from sanctioned nations like Russia and Venezuela. The conversation also covers the unintended consequences of sanctions on global power dynamics and Europe’s efforts to lessen its energy dependence on Russia. Join them for insights into the evolving landscape of economic statecraft and international relations.

Jul 19, 2025 • 1h 15min
Strategic Reserves: Navigating the SPR's Past and Future with Arnab Datta
In this episode of the Oil Ground Up podcast, host Rory Johnston is joined by Arnab Datta, Managing Director of Policy Implementation at Employ America, to delve into the intricate history and evolving role of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Discover why the SPR was established in the aftermath of the Arab oil embargo, how it has been managed through various administrations, and the pivotal changes it underwent during the 2022 oil price crisis under President Biden. Explore the political, legal, and physical constraints that shape this unique American energy security asset and its future under the Trump administration. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the SPR's impact on global oil markets and U.S. energy policy.

Jul 10, 2025 • 51min
How Kpler is Revolutionizing Oil Market Data: In-Depth with François Cazor
In 2014, the collaborative vision of engineers François Cazor and Jean Maynier ignited a journey towards revolutionising trade through the power of innovative data technology. Today, OGU Host, Rory Johnston, welcomes Francois Cazor onto the pod to discuss the evolution of oil market data, the journey of Kpler from carbon markets to oil analytics, and the impact of real-time data on price formation. They explore how Kpler has flattened information asymmetry in the market, the expanding use cases of their data, and the challenges posed by recent market changes. The role of AI in data analytics is also examined, highlighting its potential to enhance data processing and signal extraction.

Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 7min
Karim Fawaz on the Evaporating Geopolitical Risk Premium we see in Oil Markets
Rory Johnston speaks with Karim Fawaz, Director of Oil Markets and Refining at S&P Global Commodity Insights. They discuss the evolving dynamics of the oil market, particularly the geopolitical risk premium, spare capacity, and the changing demand landscape influenced by the US and China. Karim shares insights from his extensive experience in the oil market, highlighting how perceptions of risk have shifted over time and the implications of lower oil prices on supply risks and market behavior.

Jun 23, 2025 • 47min
Iranian Escalation or a Neutralized Threat? - Matt Reed on Iran's Indefensible Oil Industry
Rory and Matt Reed discuss the recent escalation of tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, focusing on the military actions taken by Israel against Iranian targets and the implications for regional stability and the oil market. They explore the motivations behind Israel's strikes, the U.S. response, and the reactions from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The conversation also delves into the potential for de-escalation, the role of OPEC in the oil market, and the influence of Russia and China in the ongoing conflict. As the situation evolves, they highlight key indicators to watch for future developments in this complex geopolitical landscape.

Jun 17, 2025 • 47min
The Dynamics of Tanker Chartering and Freight Rates in Oil Markets
This conversation delves into the critical role of tankers in the global oil market with shipping analyst Jeff McGee of Makai Marine. Him and Rory explore the importance in transporting crude and refined products using the tanker market. The discussion covers the various types of tankers, the role of ship brokers in chartering, and the dynamics of freight rates influenced by supply and demand. Additionally, the conversation highlights major trade routes and the significance of the Baltic Exchange in benchmarking freight rates, providing a comprehensive overview of the tanker market's complexities and challenges. In this conversation, Jeff discusses the complexities of the tanker market, focusing on the World Scale and Time Charter Equivalent metrics that help standardize freight rates. He explains how oil market dynamics, including geopolitical risks and bunker costs, influence tanker operations and freight rates. The discussion also delves into the concept of the 'dark fleet,' a shadow market that operates under different conditions than the mainstream tanker market, highlighting its inefficiencies and potential impacts on global shipping.

Jun 4, 2025 • 48min
Facing the Contradictions of Today's Oil Market with Tamas Varga
In this episode of the Oil Ground Up podcast, host Rory speaks with Tamas Varga, a seasoned oil market analyst from PVM Oil Associates, about the current state of the oil market. They discuss the complexities of oil demand, particularly focusing on macroeconomic indicators, the impact of geopolitical tensions, and the evolving dynamics within OPEC. Tamas shares insights on the contradictory signals in the market, the role of Chinese demand, and the resilience of European oil consumption amidst various challenges. The conversation also delves into the intricacies of crude oil futures and the implications of OPEC's production strategies on global oil prices.

May 20, 2025 • 48min
Mark Rossano on Refining Industry Dynamics and Expected "Brownouts this Summer"
Mark Rossano connects with Rory and discusses the complexities of the oil and gas market, focusing on price volatility, OPEC's production strategies, and the geopolitical implications of Iran and Russia's oil exports. He emphasizes the importance of diesel in the economy and the impact of EU sanctions on global oil flows. The conversation provides insights into the current state of the energy sector and the challenges faced by major oil-producing countries. In this conversation, Mark Rossano discusses the dynamics of the crude market, the implications of tariffs on trade, and the current state of the refining industry. He highlights the challenges faced by Europe in energy procurement, the ongoing trade tensions between China and the US, and the impact of these factors on global supply chains. Rossano also delves into the intricacies of diesel and gasoline demand, emphasizing the need for refiners to adapt to changing market conditions.