Crude Oil Price News

European Union countries agreed to set price caps on Russian refined oil products to limit Moscow's funds for its invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish presidency of the EU said on Friday.EU diplomats said the price caps are $100 per barrel on products that trade at a premium to crude, principally diesel, and $45 per barrel for products that trade at a discount, such as fuel oil and naphtha. Ambassadors for the 27 EU countries agreed on the European Commission proposal,which will apply from Sunday.The price caps…

The U.S. Treasury Department said late on Wednesday that shipments facing the G7's upcoming price cap on oil products such as diesel and gasoline from Russia will have a grace period to arrive at their destination.G7 democracies and Australia are planning to cap prices on two oil products from Russia from Feb. 5 as part of their effort to reduce Moscow's export revenues as it wages war in Ukraine. The move will follow the G7's cap on Russia's seaborne crude oil exports that went into effect on Dec. 5.The measures seek to limit Russia's revenues gradually.

Chinese refinery crude oil throughput has reached its highest level ever, with total processed volumes up 12% in the first five months of this year compared to 2020, and up 10.9% from the same period in 2019. In total 292.7m tonnes have been processed so far this year according to the National Bureau of Statistics China.Despite the 12.0% growth in crude oil processing, Chinese crude oil supply, which includes imports and domestic production, has only grown by 2.3% in the first five months of this year.

After a frantic week that sent crude oil freight rates to record highs amid a bookings bonanza to ship Saudi oil to the world, rates are now easing as charterers balk at the nosebleed charges and await Saudi volume plans for April, shipping sources said."Sentiment remained softer today," said one ship broker while pointing to another day of limited chartering activity.At least nine very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) provisional charters failed this week along with another five for Suezmax tankers…

The Asian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market stood at over $81.4 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% to cross $109 billion by 2024, as increasing demand for LPG  as a fuel for power generation in remote and off-grid locations in comparison to its less environment-friendly alternatives like coal, diesel and fuel oil.Increasing demand for LPG used to run vehicles (Autogas)  is being witnessed as it is a comparatively cheaper automotive fuel and can be used in vast applications related to transportation, said a report by ResearchAndMarkets.Of the overall LPG consumed across the globe, nearly 87% is used for residential/consumer use.By source, the Asian LPG market has been categorized into Refinery, Associated Gases & Non-Associated Gases.

d'Amico International Shipping believes that the supply-demand balance in the product tanker freight market is improving. The key drivers that should affect the product tanker freight markets are (i) global oil supply (ii) the crude oil price and refinery margins (iii) demand for refined products and (iv) the product tankers fleet growth rate. The International Energy Agency, in its 2017 Oil Market Report (OMR), published in March 2017, forecasted annual global demand growth to average 1.2 million b/d, or 1.2% per annum, from 2016-2022, corresponding to an increase in the period of 7.3 million b/d. From an average of 96.6 million b/d in 2016, global demand is expected to rise to 103.8 million b/d by 2022.

LNG? Methanol as fuel? Hybrid systems? Tier 4? Reducing noise? Cutting emissions without crushing fuel economy? Marine News readers have questions and Bob Kunkel has answers. Kunkel, President of Alternative Marine Technologies, previously served as the Federal Chairman of the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program under the Maritime Administration and Department of Transportation from 2003 until 2008. A past Vice President of the Connecticut Maritime Association, he is a contributing writer for Maritime Professional and Marine News. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Kunkel sailed as a licensed engineer and eventually continued his career in ship construction at NASSCO, San Diego, Hyundai Heavy Industries, S. Korea, Chengxi Shipyard and Dalian New Shipyard in China.

Glencore books the STI Grace tanker to store fuel at sea-traders. This has not been the summer many oil traders had expected after last year's bumper profits. Banking on more of the same, the world's refineries have churned out more diesel, gasoline and jet fuel than eager drivers and holiday makers have been able to consume even over the summer travel season. Fuel inventories in the United States, Europe and Asia are brimming despite the height of peak summer driving. European traders are now moving to store diesel on tankers at sea as on shore storage tests its limits yet again. At least one vessel, the 90,000 tonne STI Grace has dropped anchor off the chic holiday town of Southwold on England's east coast in what traders said was floating storage. The vessel was chartered by Glencore.

U.S. energy firms this week cut oil rigs for a 12th week in a row to the lowest level since December 2009 as drillers continue to slash capital expenditures despite crude prices having apparently bottomed, data showed on Friday. Looking forward, many analysts think the rig count will rebound later this year when prices rise. Drillers removed six oil rigs in the week ended March 11, bringing the total rig count down to 386, oil services company Baker Hughes Inc said. That compares with 866 oil rigs operating in the same week a year ago. Drillers started to steadily reduce their rig count after crude prices began to collapse mid-2014. U.S. crude futures were trading just under $39 a barrel, up 8 percent on the week and set for its fourth weekly gain on forecasts of tighter supplies as U.S.

The Russia's top shipping company Sovcomflot initial public offering (IPO) is expected in Q3 2016, part from the privatization program by the government. An IPO for Sovcomflot could take place later this year. The current fleet of Sovcomflot numbers 142 vessels with total deadweight of 12.4 million DWT. The troubled Russian economy will need for speed up the privatization of the country largest shipping company, as getting fresh funds into the budget for 2016. Russian president Vladimir Putin summoned on a meeting the directors of the leading state-owned companies, including Sovcomflot, Rostelecom, Transneft, Aeroflot and Rosneft, negotiation with the the IPO and privatizations.

Dry bulkers have been an overwhelming disappointment with the year coming to an end, while on the other side of the coin we have the tanker market that has not only kept its positve momentum but managed to outpace what most had expected thanks to low crude oil price, says a study by Allied Shipbroking Inc. As much as both of these markets have inevitably been influenced and even driven by the market demand conditons, it is always important note and compare the supply side issues which is one of the key ways the industry as a whole influences the balance and in effect rates themselves. On the one hand you have the dry bulkers, with the Supramax and Panamax showing this to a greater extent…

Oman Drydock Company (ODC) is growing fast. In January, the yard hit an important milestone - its 300th drydocking. Harnessing the power of its new $1.8 billion, 1.3 million sq. m. shipyard it aims to become a leading shipyard in the Gulf over the next five years. A key selling point for ODC is its geographical position. ODC is in poll-position for the Asia – Europe shipping routes and critically, saving ship owners time, and potential disruption, as ships can come straight to us without deviating through the Strait of Hormuz.

India has deferred taking deliveries of at least 20 shiploads of expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its main supplier Qatar and wants a rate cut matching the 60 per cent fall in international rates, as global gas prices slumped, reports Reuters. Sources said that India has imported 30 per cent less liquefied natural gas (LNG) than it is supposed to under a long-term deal with Qatar as a slide in spot prices has cut demand from local buyers . So far this year Petronet LNG has cut imports by 30 per cent, or up to 24 cargoes, under the deal. Petronet buys 7.5 million tonnes a year of LNG on a long-term from RasGas of Qatar on a 25 year contract, indexed to a moving average of crude oil price.

Oil fell to four-year low of $72 on Thursday; Airlines hope the price will slip below $70 a barrel. Airlines in Asia-Pacific are holding off from hedging their fuel costs as they wait for oil to dip below $70 a barrel in hopes of securing lower prices, industry executives said on Friday. The benchmark Brent crude oil price fell more than $6 to under $72 a barrel on Thursday, its lowest since July 2010, after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries opted against cutting production even though a supply glut is pulling down prices. Airlines "hedge" some of their fuel needs - or buy fuel in advance at future, pre-determined prices - to reduce the impact on earnings of any volatility or increases in prices.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases latest short-term energy outlook. Monthly estimated domestic crude oil production exceeded crude oil imports in October 2013 for the first time since February 1995. The weekly U.S. average regular gasoline retail price has fallen by more than 40 cents per gallon since the beginning of September. EIA's forecast for the regular gasoline retail price averages $3.24 per gallon in the fourth quarter of 2013, $0.10 per gallon less than forecast in last month's STEO.

Jotun has acknowledged the steep rise in the cost of raw materials through 2010 used in some of their coatings. This rise in costs has significantly affected all paints and coatings manufacturers worldwide. Consequently, Jotun has been forced to increase prices on some of its products, but emphasises that it has not affected its entire range. Throughout 2010 the market price of major raw materials used in coatings, such as epoxies, titanium dioxide, acrylics and metal-based materials has increased by up to as much as 50 per cent. The surprisingly high global demand coupled with the downscaling of capacity following the 2007 financial crisis has caused an imbalance in the raw materials market for coatings…

Pride International, Inc. (NYSE: PDE) reported income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2009 of $121.8 million, or $0.69 per diluted share. The second quarter results compared to income from continuing operations of $153.1 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the corresponding three months in 2008. Results for the second quarter of 2008 included a net after-tax gain of $11.8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, relating primarily to the sale of the company's platform rig fleet. Revenues during the second quarter of 2009 totaled $500.7 million compared to $541.5 million during the second quarter of 2008. Louis A.

•    Voyage revenues of $158.83 million versus $122.55 million in Q3 2007. •    Net income of $40.98 million (no capital gain) compared to $18.20 million from operations ($50.00 million including $31.79 million from capital gains) in Q3 2007. •    Earnings per share (diluted) of $1.08 versus $0.48 ($1.31 including capital gains) in Q3 2007. •    Period-end fleet of 44 vessels, with over 4.7 million dwt, and an average age 6.1 years. •    Average TCE per vessel $33,732 per day versus $26,467 for Q3 2007, a 27.5% increase. •    Declaration of semi-annual dividend of $0.90 paid on October 30, 2008. •    TEN celebrated 15-years of profitable operations in the public markets. •    Voyage revenues of $466.99 million versus $369.66 million in the first nine months of 2007.

Not only did most oil producing companies post increased income and revenues in the first quarter 2000, compared to 1999, but in some cases, the increases were record-setting. In fact, Conoco's first quarter was the best quarter in the company's 125-year history. Here is a capsulated report of several companies' earnings. USX-Marathon Group's net income adjusted for special items was $199 million in first quarter 2000, compared with a net loss adjusted for special items of $11 million in first quarter 1999. The Marathon Group recorded first quarter 2000 net income of $254 million, which included a $55 million favorable aftertax gain on the sale of its 33.34 percent interest in the Angus/Stellaria development in the Gulf of Mexico. Net income in first quarter 1999 was $119 million.

Early renegotiation of gas selling price with China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) has ended in deadlock as the ceiling price proposed by CNOOC was seen as too low, according to Asian Pulse. Indonesia has signed a long term contract to supply China's Fujian province with 2.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from Tangguh, Papua. Under the agreement in 1992 the LNG price was tide with crude oil price or around $2.4 per MMBTU based on a ceiling price of $25 per barrel of crude oil. The ceiling price is no longer acceptable to Indonesia with the soaring crude oil price at present. Currently the LNG price is around $8 per MMBTU based on a crude oil price of $65 per barrel.

The third quarter proved to be a prosperous one for oil companies, as most of our sampling realized substantial gains in net income and net operating income for the period, as compared to 1998's third quarter. A higher average worldwide crude oil price was chiefly responsible for the increases, although in some cases, cost-cutting measures also contributed heavily to the financial results. Exploration and production net operating income was up, nearly across the board. However, for the first nine months of 1999, earnings and net income are still down from the same period in 1998. Phillips Petroleum Company reported third-quarter net income of $221 million up from $46 million for the same period last year. Total revenues were $3.8 billion, versus $2.9 billion a year ago.

Once again, quarter and year-end earnings reported in the offshore market reflected a familiar trend: oil majors saw gains - sometimes significant; while oilfield service companies continued to struggle, compared to the year-earlier marks. Unocal Corporation reported fourth quarter 1999 preliminary unaudited net earnings of $97 million and adjusted net earnings (excluding special items) of $77 million. The fourth quarter results compare with a reported loss of $29 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter 1998 were $28 million. The fourth quarter earnings reflect higher oil and gas prices, offset partially by lower net oil and gas sales volumes and a higher international tax rate.