How has the outlook shifted for LPG and naphtha as macroeconomic uncertainty looms?
When the US began announcing tariffs a month ago and China hit back with reciprocal tariffs, the whole oil market complex tumbled. Despite a relative recovery in line with crude oil four weeks later, the lighter end products of the barrel are still feeling the sting from an uncertain macroeconomic environment, as outlook in the global petrochemical industry flounders. With recession fears looming, what will a world of lower demand and tighter margins mean for the consumption of the two main petrochemical feedstocks, naphtha and LPG? In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast, Joel Hanley leads a discussion with market experts Dias Kazym and Barbara Fernandez-Pita to explore the short and long-term outlook of these two products. Related: MPGC
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13:13
From tariffs to OPEC+ output increase – how will Asia navigate through the changes?
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.
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31:14
Two weeks after Trump’s ‘liberation day’ - how have the oil paper and physical markets responded?
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?
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18:39
More players bring competition to Brazil’s refined products markets
“O Petróleo é Nosso,” or “The Oil is Ours,” was a popular slogan central to the founding of Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobras, in 1953. The slogan can also be interpreted more broadly, as Brazil’s refined products markets have opened to more participants, leading to a surge in spot market activity and price transparency. As a result, Platts has launched new price assessments for Brazilian gasoline and diesel. How did those spot markets evolve? Why is the Northeast so reliant on imports? How are renewable fuels playing out in gasoline and diesel? Jeff Mower discusses these topics and more with Renato Rostas, manager of the Platts Brazil refined products team, and Brazil gasoline and diesel price reporters Isabela Rocha and Kauanna Navarro. Links: Gasoline FCA Suape BRL/CBM GASCA00 Gasoline FCA Itaqui BRL/CBM GASCC00 ULSD S10 FCA Paulinia BRL/CBM ULFCI00 ULSD S10 FCA Araucaria BRL/CBM ULFCK00
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31:45
Fuelling change: May 1st Mediterranean Emissions Control Area and marine fuels
With the May 1st deadline for Mediterranean Emissions Control Area fast approaching, marine fuel suppliers and shipowners are bracing for impact. In this episode of the Oil Markets podcast, Rowan Staden-Coats is joined by Jan Kedzior and Tommy Petrou to discuss the different fuel options vessels have to comply with the upcoming sulfur emission regulations. What opportunity does this pose for compliant fuels like DMA marine gasoil and 0.1% ULSFO, and how will the demand for conventional fuel oil grades be impacted? Related stories: VLSFO cracks tumble to multi-month lows amid Med ECA zone shakeup Mediterranean Hi-5 spreads narrow to near four-month lows on thin VLSFO demand Tight supply pushes high-sulfur gasoil above ULSD in NWE European 0.1%S gasoil tightens on Med demand, limited prompt NWE supply Assessments: 0.1% CIF Med gasoil - AAVJJ00 CIF Mediterranean Marine Fuel 0.5% Cargo - MFCMM00 FO 3.5%S CIF Med Cargo - PUAAY00