Oil Markets

The sweeping reciprocal tariffs announced by the United States in early April, followed by China's retaliatory levies on US imports, along with OPEC+'s decision to significantly increase output in May, have driven Platts Dated Brent to its lowest level since April 2021. As one of the largest oil-importing regions, Asia is poised to face substantial implications from these developments. In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Asia Energy Editor Sambit Mohanty discusses key themes that are likely to keep Asian oil markets on edge in the foreseeable future with Calvin Lee, head of Asia content, and Premasish Das, executive director at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Following the swathe of protectionist tariff measures announced by US President Donald Trump April 2nd, the crude oil complex was sent into a frenzy, with market outlook rapidly souring. But interesting patterns in both the paper and physical markets have been materializing. In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast, Joey Daly leads an in-depth discussion with market experts David Neef and Joseph Jaffe to discuss the reaction of both the paper and physical markets in the middle distillates and fuel oil segments. While the crude oil market's negative reaction has captured immediate attention, what can these other segments reveal about the deeper impact of tariff conflicts?

“O Petróleo é Nosso,” or “The Oil is Ours,” was a popular slogan central to the founding of Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobras, in 1953. The slogan can also be interpreted more broadly, as Brazil’s refined products markets have opened to more participants, leading to a surge in spot market activity and price transparency. As a result, Platts has launched new price assessments for Brazilian gasoline and diesel. How did those spot markets evolve? Why is the Northeast so reliant on imports? How are renewable fuels playing out in gasoline and diesel? Jeff Mower discusses these topics and more with Renato Rostas, manager of the Platts Brazil refined products team, and Brazil gasoline and diesel price reporters Isabela Rocha and Kauanna Navarro. Links: Gasoline FCA Suape BRL/CBM GASCA00 Gasoline FCA Itaqui BRL/CBM GASCC00 ULSD S10 FCA Paulinia BRL/CBM ULFCI00 ULSD S10 FCA Araucaria BRL/CBM ULFCK00

With the May 1st deadline for Mediterranean Emissions Control Area fast approaching, marine fuel suppliers and shipowners are bracing for impact. In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast, Rowan Staden-Coats is joined by Jan Kedzior and Tommy Petrou to discuss the different fuel options vessels have to comply with the upcoming sulfur emission regulations. What opportunity does this pose for compliant fuels like DMA marine gasoil and 0.1% ULSFO, and how will the demand for conventional fuel oil grades be impacted?   Related stories: VLSFO cracks tumble to multi-month lows amid Med ECA zone shakeup Mediterranean Hi-5 spreads narrow to near four-month lows on thin VLSFO demand Tight supply pushes high-sulfur gasoil above ULSD in NWE European 0.1%S gasoil tightens on Med demand, limited prompt NWE supply Assessments: 0.1% CIF Med gasoil - AAVJJ00 CIF Mediterranean Marine Fuel 0.5% Cargo - MFCMM00 FO 3.5%S CIF Med Cargo - PUAAY00  

Russia's temporary halt on attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure has raised hopes of the two countries eventually moving towards a peace deal, followed by the potential lifting of sanctions. This has also prompted a debate on whether any normalization of Russian oil flows could lead to an immediate reduction in flows from Russia to Asia—mainly India and China. O oil diplomacy will be at play and Russia will do all it can to ensure that it keeps its two top buyers on its side to ensure rock-steady outlets for its oil in the future? In this episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Asia energy editor Sambit Mohanty discusses with Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, former chairman of Indian Oil Corp., and Kang Wu, head of global macro and oil demand research at S&P Global Commodity Insights some of the key market developments that could influence oil trade flows to Asia.

The Mediterranean gasoil market is undergoing significant changes as new Emission Control Zones come into effect, drastically altering sulfur limits for marine fuels. In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast, our experts explore the evolving role of gasoil, an important middle distillate that is often overshadowed by diesel and jet fuel. Host Joel Hanley is joined by Virginie Malicier, manager of middle distillate pricing, and Jan Kedzior, gasoil price reporter, to discuss the impact of reduced Russian supply, the growing importance of North African countries in the market, and the competitive dynamics between gasoil and diesel. Links: 0.1% CIF Med gasoil - AAVJJ00 FOB West Africa 50ppm diesel/gasoil - AWFRA00 ULSD 10ppm CIF Med - AAWYZ00 FIRST TAKE WhatsApp Channel

The tech industry came in hot at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference in 2025, and the conversation shifted from decarbonization and energy security in previous years to boosting the energy industry as a key piece of the AI race.  In this bonus episode, Commodity Insights co-president Dave Ernsberger joins Americas oil news director Jeff Mower to recap the key themes and developments from the conference, including the Trump administration's energy and geopolitical strategies, industry's outlook on investment and production, and the prevalence of decarbonization efforts. Read more of SPGCI's CERAWeek coverage Platts Connect

The beginning of spring marks the start of gasoline's seasonal transition from winter into summer specification but the market fundamentals remain under pressure on the prompt. Gary Clark is joined by Dias Kazym and Matthew Tracey-Cook to discuss how weak gasoline fundamentals extended to the European naphtha market, which also faces challenging petrochemical environment despite short-term supply volatility. Links: Join us on Platts Connect European naphtha backwardation at two-months low on weaker fundamentals (Subscriber content)

New US tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico are highlighting the dependence of US refiners and consumers on crude and refined products from both countries. Why is the US Atlantic Coast in particular exposed to the supply and price impacts of the tariffs? Who will eat the costs of tariffs on Canadian crude?  Jeff Mower speaks with senior refining editor Janet McGurty and crude price editor Jada Johnson to discuss what options US Gulf Coast refiners have in obtaining heavy crude barrels, considering the 25% tariff on Mexican oil and considering that imports from Venezuela are no longer stable. Links: Join us on Platts Connect Register for CERAWeek

India Energy Week brought together thought leaders, industry pioneers and curious minds from around the globe to discuss the future of energy in India and beyond. From shifting spotlight of oil producers towards India to the optimism around clean energy, such as hydrogen and biofuels, the event witnessed discussions and debates around India's current and future energy landscape. And a key question that was in focus was -- how will India strike a balance between the need for traditional fuels while embracing a new energy roadmap? In this episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor is joined by Dan Pratt, Head of Upstream Solutions, and Pulkit Agarwal, Head of India Content to discuss the key themes that dominated the event.