Stronger Oil News

Belgian oil tanker and storage operator Euronav EUAV.BR reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue and profit on Thursday, driven by large crude tanker recovery and seasonal demand for crude oil.The tanker market, which has battled low earnings since the pandemic first hit oil demand, got a boost last year as Russia diverted oil exports from Europe, mainly to Asia, after many Western buyers turned to other suppliers in retaliation for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last February."The EU embargo on Russian oil ...

Late 2018 saw the tanker market bubble upwards through late November, with daily vessel hires moving in the direction of, though not yet reaching levels not seen since late 2014-2015, when oil prices were in freefall and inventories building to the brim. A few pundits have suggested that we are seeing a “mini 2014” where lowered oil prices are coaxing another inventory build which would drive tanker capacity utilization, and per diem freight inflows, higher. The oil market has changed over four years…

The provider of seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) said that though the tanker market showed upward trajectory, management will keep a close eye on developments and refine its employment approach.The Greece-based tanker company said in a stock exchange annoucement that "As we approach the end of 2018, the signs that the worst is behind are becoming increasingly evident. Global oil demand is continuing its upward trajectory."US crude exports are soaring and finding new destinations in China and India and the global tanker fleet where most of that oil will be shipped is tightening…

Supported by slow fleet growth and ongoing positive refinery margins, VLCC earnings in Q1-2016 were up from a year ago, but down from Q4-2015 as we expected at $58,367 per day for VLCC (+5.7% year on year). For the minor crude oil carriers, rates were down from Q1-2015 and Q4-2015. Rates in Q1-2016 were $37,914 per day for suezmax (-25% year on year), $30,197 per day for aframax (-24% year on year). For the oil product tankers, Q3-2015 stands out as the peak quarter of the current cycle. Earnings in Q1-2016 were the lowest since Q3-2014 when the markets started to rise. The same patterns of slightly falling freight rates reappears in the time charter market. BIMCO recommended back in January putting some capacity away on time charter. Time charter rates have dropped somewhat since then.

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.

Driven by the sustained high price per barrel of oil, oil majors Chevron and Amerada Hess today announced outstanding financial results for the second quarter. Chevron, the No. 2 U.S. oil company, posted second-quarter profits which more than doubled, matching analysts' expectations, thanks to stronger oil and natural gas prices. Second-quarter earnings excluding special items rose to $1.14 billion, or $1.75 a diluted share, from $484 million, or 73 cents a diluted share, in the year ago period, the company said. Meanwhile, Amerada Hess Corp. said lofty oil and natural gas prices resulted in sharply higher second-quarter earnings that surpassed analysts' expectations.