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

Apr 7, 2022 • 15min
Are high prices and strong structure here to stay for light sweet crude, or have OPEC+ and the US relieved the tension?
In this episode of the Oil Markets Podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights editors Paul Hickin, Emma Kettley, and Sam Angell discuss with Joel Hanley the possible return of balance in the oil markets. The fear factor of the Ukrainian war has created high prices and volatility, but are they waning now that renewed supply is entering the market? Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Mar 31, 2022 • 12min
Resurgence of COVID-19 threatens oil demand revival in Asia
Asia’s sustained oil demand revival over the last few months may face a fresh setback following COVID-19 outbreaks in China and other countries in the region. While sharp pull back in consumption appears remote at this stage, markets are keenly watching if Asia’s top oil consuming nations resort to more lockdowns to stem the spread of the pandemic. In this podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights' Sambit Mohanty, Jonathan Nonis and J.Y. Lim discuss the possibility of another round of oil products demand destruction, Asia's crude buying strategy amid fears of a demand slowdown, and the impact on trade flows. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Mar 24, 2022 • 22min
Americas shipping, bunkers hit rough waters on crude volatility
As global oil markets continue to react in real time to the ongoing conflict in Europe, downstream sectors and interconnected industries are also beginning to see marked impacts on trade flows, fundamentals and most notably spot pricing. Long a key refining and import/export hub for the Western Hemisphere, the US Gulf Coast has seen swift reactions from logistics operations and energy majors as the region deals with a lack of Russian imports amid sanctions. Americas shipping manager Barbara Troner and dirty products manager Patrick Burns speak with clean tanker editor Eugenia Romero and US bunkers editor Phillipe Craig to break down how spot pricing for freight rates and marine fuels has reacted, and what those key segments can expect going forward.

Mar 17, 2022 • 20min
Fuelling the Russian shortfall
Europe's high sulfur fuel oil requirements largely depend on exports from Russia. In this episode of the Oil Markets Podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights reporters Stepan Lavrouk, Mary tiernan and David Petutschnig discuss with Joel Hanley the impact of the war in Ukraine on not just fuel oil, but also bunker fuel and vacuum gasoil. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Mar 10, 2022 • 18min
Russia-Ukraine conflict pushes European commodities to new highs
Oil markets – and others – are seeing record prices and intense volatility as Russia’s invasion of its neighbor continues. S&P Global Commodity Insights reporters Rosemary Griffin, Elza Turner, and Rowan Staden-Coats discuss with Joel Hanley what the war in Ukraine means for prices, trade flows, and the refineries of Europe. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Mar 3, 2022 • 16min
Russia-Ukraine conflict aggravates oil supply worries for Asian buyers
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stalled oil supplies to refiners in Asia as buyers remain wary of the fallout of the widespread sanctions imposed on Moscow. Though demand for oil and products continues to grow in the region, buyers are left grappling with stunted supplies and rising crude prices. In this podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Ada Taib, Pankaj Rao, Fred Wang and Vickey Du talk about the impact of the conflict on the Dubai pricing benchmark, Russian Far East crude differentials and the buying patterns of Asian refiners. They also delve into the surge in shipping freight costs and how the potential return of Iranian crude could impact oil supplies. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Feb 23, 2022 • 19min
$100/b oil - Implications for Asia, the world and energy transition
When the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic decimated global oil demand and pulled down prices to their lows in 2020, not many would have believed that just two years down the road, crude oil would be again climbing to $100 a barrel. In a wide-ranging discussion with Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor at S&P Global Platts, Jim Rogers, Chairman of Beeland Interests, Inc., Rosemary Griffin, Managing Editor for Russia at Platts, and Kang Wu, Head of Global Demand and Asia Analytics at Platts, share their insights on the resiliency of Asian oil demand recovery, the risk to prices and trade flows from Russia-Ukraine tensions, the potential return of Iranian oil, as well as the implications of surging oil prices on energy transition efforts. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Feb 17, 2022 • 22min
Crude oil markets soar while Russian sellers count the cost
Europe's sweet/sour crude price spread has widened on strong distillate demand and caution over Russian barrels. Platts reporters Emma Kettley and Iain Stevenson give an update on the soaring strength in light, sweet crude. Also, Jonty Rushforth and Joel Hanley discuss the Feb 14 launch of Platts proposed next steps for the Brent benchmark, like the inclusion of US WTI Midland crude. Subscriber note: Platts proposes to reflect WTI Midland in Dated Brent, Cash BFOE from June 2023, keeps Brent assessments on an FOB basis Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Feb 10, 2022 • 12min
US octanes see bearish expectations on premium grade blending
While not always at the forefront of the market, low RVP, high octane blendstocks such as alkylate and reformate are necessary blending components which can drive price movements and influence supply and demand dynamics - particularly ahead of the summer specs transition. Shea McCord, Sarah Hernandez, and Anna Trier of the US Light Ends team sit down to discuss recent supply dynamics in the US octanes markets, and the impact those dynamics could have on building summer inventories and premium grades blending. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22

Feb 3, 2022 • 15min
How would sanctions against Russia impact European oil markets?
While diplomatic talks between the US and Russia continue, questions are raised about what consequences, if any, would new economic sanctions have on Russia’s ample exports of crude oil and diesel to Europe. In this episode of the Oil Markets Podcast, S&P Global Platts editors Rowan Staden-Coats and David Lewis discuss with Rosemary Griffin and Francesco Di Salvo the state of play between Russia and the West and how big of a supply shock could sanctions cause to the international oil markets.