Oil Markets

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.

Vartika Shukla, a leader at Engineers India Ltd, joins energy experts Atul Arya and Nick Sharma from S&P Global Commodity Insights for a deep dive into Asia's energy landscape. They tackle the push for net-zero emissions while juggling energy security and fossil fuel growth. The trio discusses how national oil companies can drive the transition amid geopolitical challenges. They also explore the role of technology, particularly AI, and the balancing act required for different Asian economies to achieve sustainable growth.

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 afield? Senior crude specialist Joey Daly speaks with European gasoline and WAF products specialist Matthew Tracey-Cook to discuss the current market dynamics in the Atlantic Basin and how they are affecting the European gasoline market.  The Refining Scenario Manager (RSM) allows for scenario modeling of any refinery globally, to optimize trading and operational decision-making.  Links: Platts Premium 10ppm FOB Rotterdam barges PGABM00 Platts Premium 10ppm FOB Mediterranean cargoes AAWZA00Platts Gasoline STS Lome ABNWG00 Gasoline exports to West Africa fall to 2-month low amid well supplied market (subscriber content)

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 by Sarah Hernandez and Sheky Espejo to break down the numbers, the policy shifts, and what’s next for Mexico’s fuel supply.

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 flows. Pradeep Rajan, associate editorial director for Asia freight markets at S&P Global Commodity Insights, discusses the implications of these proposals on the shipping sector and tanker rates with Sameer Mohindru, lead specialist for price reporting in Asia shipping & freight, and Fotios Katsoulas, director of tanker freight and alternative fuels.

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 Atlantic basin, and what are the latest developments between the regional North Sea grades and their American counterpart?

In this discussion, Felipe Perez, the Head of Latin America Fuels & Refining Research at S&P Global Commodity Insights, sheds light on Guyana's burgeoning oil industry. He explains how the new Yellowtail development will introduce 250,000 b/d of light sweet crude, positioning it as a competitor to US and Argentine exports. The conversation dives into the implications of current oil prices on Guyana's market entry and examines potential buyers for this emerging crude, along with the broader impacts on global refinery operations and US production trends.

The podcast delves into the impact of recent tariffs on oil markets, particularly focusing on naphtha and LPG. Experts discuss how these tariffs have caused price drops and influenced demand within the petrochemical sector. The conversation highlights the competitive dynamics of propane and naphtha as producers adapt to economic pressures. Additionally, it tackles the challenges facing the European petrochemical market amid uncertainties and adjusting operational strategies in a shifting global landscape.

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?