Oil Markets

US and Israeli strikes on Iran since Feb. 28 have led to a major regional conflict, which has rocked geopolitics and resonated across the global oil supply chain. Vessel transits across the vital Strait of Hormuz have been stunted, while physical and financial oil markets have seen a major uptick in volatility. In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, Herman Wang is joined by Lauren Holtmeier, Ada Taib, and Gary Clark to discuss the latest developments on the ground from the Middle East, in addition to the wider knock-on impacts for crude oil markets in Asia and refined products dynamics in Europe. Related content: FACTBOX: Oil prices surge as energy facilities hit in Middle East war Hormuz oil traffic still at standstill despite US insurance pledge (Subscriber content)   Oil derivatives price action climbs amid ongoing Middle East conflict (Subscriber content) US Navy to begin escorting oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz: Trump (Subscriber content) PCAAS00 – Dated Brent (Subscriber content) PCAAT00 – Dubai Mo01 (Subscriber content) PJAAU00 - Jet CIF NWE Cargo (Subscriber content) AAEBS00 - Brent-Dubai at London MOC EFS Mo01 (Subscriber content) DEFSM02 - Brent Dubai at Singapore MOC Mo01 (Subscriber content) AAVBG00 - ULSD 10ppmS CIF NWE Cargo (Subscriber content)            

The outlook for Russian and Venezuelan crude flows, as well as geopolitical developments in Iran, are keeping Asian refiners on edge. Indian refineries have valued heavy Venezuelan crudes in their mix in the past, but will be looking out for signals of stable oil flows from the country. Meanwhile, the country's imports of Russian crude have decreased as sanctions have intensified. In this episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor, Benjamin Tang, head of liquid bulk at S&P Global Commodities at Sea, and Pulkit Agarwal, Head of Content for India, discuss these market developments and more.

Geopolitics and its impact on pricing and trade flows were the talk of the town as oil market participants convened in the cobbled streets of London across Feb. 9-13 for International Energy Week, one of the most important events in the industry's calendar. Following a blockbuster 2026 edition, S&P Global Energy's John Morley, global director of crude and fuel oil markets, sits down with Associate Directors Emma Kettley and Gary Clark to discuss the key takeaways from the week covering the full breadth of the oil complex with crude, fuel oil and refined product dynamics in view.

In this episode of the Oil Markets Podcast by S&P Global Energy, host Jeff Mower, Director of Americas Oil News, is joined by Senior Refining Editor Janet McGurty and Senior Upstream Editor Ashok Dutta to break down the biggest takeaways from fourth-quarter oil earnings so far. How are Gulf Coast refiners positioning for a potential return of Venezuelan heavy crude — and what does it mean for heavy crude differentials? On the upstream side, are shale producers truly delivering "more with less" in the Permian through new technologies and lower costs? What's driving the next wave of M&A? From capital discipline to geopolitical risk, this episode explores whether 2026 is shaping up to be a year of measured growth — or strategic transformation — across upstream and refining.

Europe's dependence on imported middle distillates is in sharper focus after the EU's 18th sanctions package halted imports of refined products processed from Russian crude from Jan. 21. Europe is leaning more heavily on replacement supply from the Middle East and the US—driving fresh volatility in diesel and jet fuel differentials even as underlying fundamentals remain mixed. Join Gary Clark, Aruni Sunil, Jan Kedzior, and Rebeka Foley as they unpack how trade flows are being reshuffled, why jet cracks have outperformed diesel, and how geopolitical risk and low buffer stocks are amplifying price swings across Europe's refined product markets.

Tighter European sanctions targeting refined products made from Russian crude are accelerating shifts in global middle distillate trade flows, with Asia increasingly at the center of the impact. By closing loopholes that previously allowed barrels processed outside Russia to re‑enter Europe, the latest measures are forcing market participants to reassess compliance risk, arbitrage economics, and regional supply balances. In this episode, Jonathan Nonis, associate editorial director at Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, is joined by Mei Huey and Rachelle Teo from Platts' Asian editorial team, to examine how the new sanctions are disrupting established trade patterns. They discuss whether barrels could be displaced back into Asia, how Europe may compete for non-Russian origin supply, and what this means for benchmarks such as FOB Arab Gulf and FOB Singapore gasoil and jet fuel, as markets adjust to a more complex and volatile trading environment.

Dated Brent differential soars to three-year high amid a supply crunch driven by disrupted flows of Kazakhstan's CPC Blend crude. However, market participants caution that a potentially swift return of CPC Blend outflows could swell European supplies, dragging on the Dated Brent complex. Join Gary Clark, Associate Director of Price Reporting, EMEA Clean Refined Products, as he discusses this and more with Ernest Puey, Senior Price Reporter, Crude Oil, and senior writer Thomas Washington.

A sudden shift in US policy has put Venezuela back at the center of global oil markets. US and international oil executives are striking different tones on Venezuela after President Donald Trump said the White House will decide which companies are allowed back into the country's oil sector following the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.  Heavy oil price discounts are already reacting to expectations of increased Venezuelan supply. Can Venezuela meaningfully boost production after years of underinvestment? Who benefits from cheaper heavy crude? Join Jeff Mower, Director of Americas Oil News, as he discusses these issues and more with S&P Global Energy oil policy reporters Kate Winston and Eamonn Brennan, and Patrick Harrington, Americas oil markets manager.

Sweeping changes to crude and product flows following sanctions and tariffs, shipping disruptions and questions surrounding China's demand outlook—oil markets have seen it all in 2025. The year was also a mixed bag for oil investments across the globe amid accelerated push towards clean energy and rising EV usage, while some regions also unveiled concrete plans on refinery expansions. In this special episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Sambit Mohanty, Asia energy editor, John Morley, global director for crude oil, Francesco Di Salvo, global director for refined products, and Jeff Mower, head of Americas oil news, look back at the key drivers for oil markets in 2025 and the themes that are likely to spill over and remain in the spotlight in 2026.

In the winter months, demand for gasoline in Europe softens, and stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub begin to thicken. But recent developments in West African government policy and intermittent maintenance at Nigeria's Dangote refinery have resulted in an unconventionally robust gasoline market, shadowed by an existing tightness in supply. Where have the gasoline markets diverged, and what unusual patterns have we seen in blending economics? In this episode, host Gary Clark is joined by S&P Global Energy reporters Geraint Moody and Matthew Tracey-Cook to discuss these topics.

The adoption of AI among energy and shipping companies is growing steadily. While it's helping to cut operational costs, boost productivity, and reduce emissions, a shortage of skills, data integration complexity, and trust are posing some challenges. In exploration, AI is helping to analyze complex sub-surface data and improve success rates. In midstream logistics, it is helping to optimize complex route planning and lastly; by deploying AI across refinery operations, oil companies are achieving higher yields in high-value fuels while cutting energy use. In this episode, Asia Energy Editor Sambit Mohanty discusses with Dave Ernsberger, president of S&P Global Energy, and Arun Biswas, strategic engagements leader at IBM Consulting for Asia-Pacific, some of the themes around AI's ability to influence how energy is produced, traded, and distributed in the years ahead. 

Physical differentials in the North Sea crude market and wider Atlantic basin have reached multiyear lows amid high freight rates and market length in the region. While high freight rates are often expected in the last quarter of the year, oversupply and market structure have also come into play.  In this podcast, Emma Kettley, S&P Global Energy's associate director, price reporting, is joined by senior crude oil reporters Natasha Tan and George Delaney to dig into how these fundamentals are impacting the North Sea and West African crude markets.

Global tanker markets are riding high as shipowners post strong third-quarter earnings amid bullish forecasts. What's driving the surge in day rates? Why are newbuilds still lagging even as fleet capacity tightens? How have sanctions reshaped both dirty and clean tanker markets? And could US shipyards stage a comeback in the global shipbuilding race? Join host Jeff Mower as he discusses these and other related issues with Catherine Kellogg and Binish Azhar.

Europe's 19th sanctions package has promised to shut the door on the last remaining flows of Russian energy still trading into the region, including butane and isobutane that was previously exempted from import bans. From Jan 2026, the new LPG embargo will force lead buyer Poland to find alternatives to Russian supplies, adding support to an already tight European market. Associate Director, Pricing, for EMEA Clean Refined Products Gary Clark joins LPG Pricing Specialist Barbara Fernandez-Pita and London Oil News Reporter Kelly Norways to discuss Polish preparations for the move, alternative supply routes and potential LPG outlets for an increasingly distressed Russian energy sector.

The US has ramped up its naval presence in the Caribbean, following several strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coast of major oil producer Venezuela. Yet oil prices have barely budged as Latin American production continues to ramp up. What is the role of Guyana and Argentina's emerging crudes, and how do flows to destinations like India fit into Trump's strategy? How are Permian operators responding to sustained low prices?  Jeff Mower unpacks how low oil prices play into the Trump administration's military push in the Caribbean, along with Latin America oil markets reporter Jada Johnson and senior news reporters Ashok Dutta and Eamonn Brennan.  Links: Vasconia FOB Colombia PCAGI00 Castilla Blend FOB Colombia AAVEQ00 Golden Arrowhead FOB Guyana GOLAH00 Liza FOB Guyana ALIZA00

In this Oil Markets podcast, we discuss the outlook for diesel and jet fuel/kerosene demand in Asia in the fourth quarter of 2025. This period is always critical, but as we approach the end of the year, a complex interplay of seasonal patterns, supply constraints, geopolitical developments, and economic factors is shaping the landscape.  S&P Global Commodity Insights' market reporters, Ng Mei Huey and Pek Michele join Jonathan Nonis, associate director for clean refined products in APAC to discuss these factors and their impact in this podcast.

Following the resumption of Kirkuk crude exports on September 27, 2025, the oil markets are poised for significant shifts. This development marks a crucial turning point for the Mediterranean oil landscape, as the Iraqi grade reenters the market amid ongoing geopolitical dynamics and supply chain adjustments. In this episode, John Morley is joined by crude oil reporters Luke Stuart and Ernest Puey to explore the potential implications of this reintroduction. They will discuss how the return of Kirkuk crude could affect pricing, regional supply dynamics, and the broader impact on Mediterranean trade flows. Links: Bearish sentiment grows across Med sweet crude complex in oversupplied market (subscriber content) Iraqi Kirkuk's return to Europe could further pressure sour differentials (subscriber content) Kirkuk FOB Ceyhan AAEJD00 CPC Blend CIF vs CPC Dated Brent Strip AAHPL00

A jump in US crude exports has helped to boost prices for high sulfur fuel oil, supplies of which are currently tight. What is driving demand for US crude to South Korea and India? What is the connection between low US imports of heavy crudes and HSFO supply tightness? What is the short-term outlook for HSFO? And why is the Trump administration pushing back on international net-zero shipping fuels standards?  Jeff Mower, director of Americas oil news, digs into these questions and more with oil news editor Binish Azhar and oil price editor Iman Koutani. Links: Interactive: Global bunker fuel cost calculator Platts WTI MEH AAYRG00 USGC HSFO Waterborne PUAFZ00 USGC VLSFO Barge $/mt AUGMB00

With European imports of products refined from Russian crude oil set to be banned in the beginning of 2026, the spotlight is on exporters such as India and Turkey, and how flows of diesel and jet fuel in the EMEA region are anticipated to change in the coming months. Gary Clark is joined by middle-distillate reporters Nadia Bliznikova and Aruni Sunil to delve into the shifting trade patterns of oil products and the latest market reaction to the soon-to-be imposed EU sanctions.   Related stories (Subscriber content): European jet fuel regrade recovers with low refinery output, dipping imports ARA jet, kerosene stocks rise to 4-year high: Insights Global Global air passenger demand rises 4.6% on year in Aug: IATA AAVBG00 AAWYZ00 PJAAU00 PJABA00

In the wake of APPEC 2025, China's evolving oil demand and the impact on global shipping markets are in the spotlight. With China's oil consumption slowing and India's robust demand outlook, the intricate balance of these factors has major implications for global energy supply chains.  Asia energy editor Sambit Mohanty sits down with head of China content Alice Niu and head of Asia shipping and freight pricing Pradeep Rajan. The team discusses how geopolitical tensions and strategic stockpiling are reshaping trade dynamics in Asia.