

Oil Markets
S&P Global Commodity Insights
S&P Global Commodity Insights analysis of key oil price movements across the globe.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2019 • 13min
Nigerian election puts focus on country's energy future
In this edition of the podcast, S&P Global Platts Francesco Di Salvo joins editors Eklavya Gupte and Philip Reeder to discuss the lead-up to the Nigerian general election on February 16. The election pits incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari against Atiku Abubakar from the People's Democractic...

Jan 31, 2019 • 6min
Brent-Dubai narrows sharply ahead of fresh OPEC oil output cuts, sour crude shortage
Sour crude oil differentials have risen sharply relative to sweet crude grades in the Atlantic Basin as OPEC moves to cut back on production, sending the differential between the Brent and Dubai markets to its narrowest levels since 2017. In this edition of the podcast, S&P Global Platts...

Jan 23, 2019 • 12min
Light and heavy oil products in Europe invert again
S&P Global Platts editors Tamara Sleiman, Philip Reeder and Eklavya Gupte tell Joel Hanley how the inversion in fuel oil and naphtha cracks speaks of structural shortages in heavy ends and very challenging market conditions for the top of the barrel.

Jan 18, 2019 • 9min
S&P Global Platts announces CIF Rotterdam offers to be included in Dated Brent assessment
Platts editors Joel Hanley and Paula VanLaningham discuss the January 14 subscriber note on the inclusion of offers on a CIF Rotterdam basis into FOB Dated Brent crude oil from November 2019. What could the change mean and what's the feedback been? RELATED DETAILS Subscriber Note: Platts proposes...

Jan 9, 2019 • 8min
Delays in the Turkish straits put freight markets and Urals Med crude under pressure
The Turkish straits form the link between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean – a crucial choke point for transporting crude oil. But this year, poor weather and frequent closures in the Bosporus and Dardanelles have led to the longest shipping delays through the straits in at least 10 years....

Dec 14, 2018 • 12min
The potential for delivered crude oil coming into Dated Brent
After the recent S&P Global Platts consultation on the Dated Brent benchmark, Platts editors Robert Beaman and Paula Vanlaningham discuss with Joel Hanley the possibility of extra crude oil being delivered into the assessment.

Nov 26, 2018 • 14min
Rising number of GPS disruptions pose an emerging security risk for the shipping industry
As maritime authorities report a rising number of GPS disruptions, the scale of the digital tampering in an industry which relies heavily on the technology as a navigation tool is coming to light. In this edition of the podcast, S&P Global Platts Iain Stevenson talks with Katherine Dunn to...

Oct 31, 2018 • 6min
Low Rhine water levels continue to impact oil products markets
S&P Global Platts reporters Virgine Malicier and Francesco Di Salvo tell Joel Hanley about soaring strength in European diesel markets brought on by the chronically shallow Rhine river. Related article (with infographic): Record low Rhine water levels continue to impact commodities

Oct 25, 2018 • 8min
European light ends struggle to find balance amid a culmination of bearish factors
Noteworthy weakness in the European gasoline complex has weighed on light ends fundamentals in recent weeks. A culmination of heavy supply, combined with closed export arbitrage outlets, has lengthened the region and subsequently spilled over into the naphtha market where participants are already...

Oct 17, 2018 • 9min
The Oil/Petrochemicals imbalance
Despite the environmental pressure on plastics, petrochemical demand is booming. Given the link to oil via naphtha and propane, Platts reporters Philip Reeder and Lara Berton discuss with Joel Hanley the impact of weak petroleum feedstock prices and the large pethchem plant outages on the way.