
Oil Markets
S&P Global Commodity Insights analysis of key oil price movements across the globe.
Latest episodes

Feb 2, 2023 • 19min
The future of naphtha and diesel flows after EU sanctions
What will replace Russian diesel and naphtha flows to Europe after EU sanctions take effect on 5 February? Where will Russian supply go instead? In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets Podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Rowan Staden-Coats and Vinicius Maffei join Joel Hanley to discuss the expected impact of the upcoming sanctions, what uncertainties remain about replacement supply and whether Russian production will have to be cut after 5 February, and what impact this could have on global supply and prices. Related price symbols: CIF ARA 10ppm ULSD cargoes #AAVBG00 CIF NEW naphtha cargoes #PAAAL00

Jan 26, 2023 • 15min
EU sanctions on Russian refined products will reverberate across the Atlantic
The Russia-Ukraine war has dominated the attention of global commodity markets for nearly a year now. As the start date for the latest EU sanctions against Russian refined products approaches, questions about what these sanctions could mean for trade flows also grow. And while these questions often center on potential changes in US and European markets, the global impact of sanctions could also extend to other regions, such as Latin America. S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Americas oil experts Anna Trier, Jeff Mower and Maria Jimenez Moya dive into the impacts seen from the Dec. 5 sanctions against Russian seaborne crude, and what we could expect to see in US, Europe, and Latin America markets after the Feb. 5 sanctions go into effect. Register for the Platts London Energy Forum here

Jan 18, 2023 • 17min
China's oil product export quota: What it means for Asia's supply and demand in the new year
China has already hinted at its first batch of oil product export quota for 2023, which has left some market watchers nervous amid the current economic headwinds at the start of this year. In this episode, we look deeper at the implications of the oil product export quota from China, how it could impact the oil product supply-demand fundamentals in Asia, and what the rest of Asia can expect. S&P Global Commodity Insights' experts—Oceana Zhou and Su Yeen Cheong from the Platts editorial team and Wang Zhuwei Manager, Asia oil analytics. Related price symbols: PGAEY00 - Gasoline Unl 92 FOB Spore Cargo PJABF00 - Jet Kero FOB Spore Cargo AAOVC00 - Gasoil .001%S (10ppm) FOB Spore Cargo POABC00 - Gasoil FOB Spore Cargo PUADV00 - FO 180 CST 3.5%S FOB Spore Cargo PPXDK00 - FO 380 CST 3.5%S FOB Spore Cargo PAAAD00 - Naphtha C+F Japan Cargo $/mt (NextGen MOC)

Jan 12, 2023 • 15min
Mild weather keeps European heating fuel markets weak
Natural gas supply disruptions into Europe saw both LPG and gasoil heating fuels used as substitutes in 2022 with concern over preparations for winter amid a low stocks environment. However, a mild winter thus far has kept heating fuel markets weak, limiting switching between different fuels. In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets Podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Aly Blakeway, Patrick McAllister and Maxim Kotenev discuss with Gary Clark supply, demand and prices for European gasoil, LPG and kerosene for heating markets amid a mild winter, and ahead of sanctions on Russian oil product exports into the European Union from February 5. Price assessments on Platts Dimensions Pro: Platts Propane CIF NWE Large Cargo: #PMABA00 Platts Gasoil 0.1%S CIF NWE Cargo: #AAYWS00 Platts Jet CIF NWE Cargo: #PJAAU00

Dec 15, 2022 • 28min
2022: A year global oil markets won’t forget
In this special episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights leaders Joel Hanley, Sambit Mohanty and Richard Swann round up the events of 2022. From the war in Ukraine to renewed Chinese lockdowns, the team looks at disrupted trade flows and the renewed challenges for supply and demand in a volatile world. Also check out: Platts Capitol Crude podcast

Dec 8, 2022 • 20min
Spotlight shifts to Asia as EU ban on Russian crude comes into force
With the European Union ban on Russian seaborne crude imports and the price cap of $60 a barrel taking effect, the spotlight is now on China and India as the market tries to assess to what extent top Asian buyers can absorb the additional displaced barrels from Europe. In this podcast, Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor, discusses with Calvin Lee, Asia head of content, Alice Niu, China head of content and Pulkit Agarwal, India head of content, the implications of the $60/b price cap for Asian buyers, the impact of the decision of OPEC and its allies to keep their policy unchanged, and China's oil consumption outlook amid easing of pandemic-related restrictions. Related infographic: G7 price cap hangs over Russian oil flows Subscribe to Platts Dimensions Pro for access to assessments and premium content covering crude oil. Click here to listen to the Capitol Crude podcast series.

Dec 1, 2022 • 13min
Private producer share of Mexico’s oil output is on the rise
The development of Mexico’s upstream oil sector has slowed since President Lopez Obrador was elected in 2018, as Lopez Obrador halted the upstream auctions put in place by the liberalization process that started in 2013. However, several companies were able to get their foot in the door, and as a result production from the private sector is expected to edge higher in coming years. Sheky Espejo, S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Mexico energy correspondent, joins Jeff Mower, director of Americas oil news, to discuss this trend. Related assessments: AAYMP00 – Maya market parity price AAXWA00 – CIF Eastern Mexico gasoline

Nov 24, 2022 • 14min
Soaring crude tanker rates dent long-haul crude differentials
With longer-haul voyages and the ‘dark fleet’ growing, tight freight availability is pushing shipping rates to fresh highs. What does strong shipping market mean for the crude competing to replace Russian flows?S&P Global Commodity Insights reporters George Papageorgiou, Sam Angell, and George Delaney discuss with Joel Hanley the spike in rates and the effect on oil from the Mediterranean and Africa. Related stories: Soaring tanker freight depresses FOB differentials for Med, West African crudes FEATURE: Growing maritime risks as shadow tanker fleet expands to cover Russian trades Related price assessments: AAGXN00 - Qua Iboe FOB Nigeria vs WAF Dtd Strip AAGXJ00 - Urals Rotterdam vs Med Dtd Strip TDACS00 - West Africa-UKC 260kt $/mt TDACR00 - West Africa-UKC 130kt $/mt TDABL00 - Ceyhan-Med 80kt $/mt

Nov 17, 2022 • 29min
Asia, Europe rush to secure supplies as oil markets brace for sleepless nights
The tug-of-war between Asia and Europe for sourcing oil is set to intensify as the European Union's ban on Russian seaborne crude inches closer. From Middle East to Africa, suppliers are already feeling the pressure of how to split supplies between different regions. In a wide-ranging discussion with Asia Energy Editor, Sambit Mohanty, S&P Global Commodity Insights' experts--Andy Critchlow, Head of News for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Paul Sheldon, Chief Geopolitical Advisor, and Kang Wu, Head of Global Oil Demand and Asia Analytics--share their insights on some of the biggest challenges the market may face after sanctions are imposed, the strategy of OPEC+ and the hurdles in making the G7 price cap work. Subscribe to Platts Dimensions Pro for access to assessments and premium content covering crude oil. Related content: Energy Security Sentinel

Nov 10, 2022 • 17min
What is happening to Russian oil flows ahead of EU sanctions?
In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Robert Perkins, Virginie Malicier and David Lewis discuss with John Morley what has already changed in the oil markets since February 24 and the expected impact of upcoming sanctions, from the ban on exports of Russian crude oil to Europe and the US for any loading after December 5, to the ban on exports of oil products into Europe from Feb. 5 and the shipping insurance ban from December as well. Related price assessments: Non-Russian diesel: CIF ARA 10ppm ULSD cargoes #AAVBG00 Diesel including Russian origin: CIF ARA 10ppm ULSD “all origins” cargoes #ALORA00 Dated Brent: #PCAAS00 Russian crude oil: Urals CIF NWE #AAGXJ00 New assessment of Kazakh origin Urals (started on Nov. 1): CIF Med KEBCO #KBCOA00