Market Commentary
US steps up bombing campaign in Iran
July 17, 2026
The market is waiting to see what comes next and if the US will increase air strikes and attack bridges and power facilities. If that happens, Iran wants its allies, the Houthi Rebels in Yemen to close the Red Sea. Tensions remain high and the market watches to see what […]
Ukrainian drone strikes reduce Russian oil refining to 21-year low
July 15, 2026
The API called crude oil supplies down 564,000, gasoline down 1.66 and distillate down 73,000. The energy complex traded higher again yesterday as things continued to escalate in the Middle East. President Trump had proposed the ideas of charging a fee for ships to pass through the strait. Thankfully this […]
Crude Weakens Despite Tight Product Inventories
July 2, 2026
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported crude oil inventories declined by 3.78 million barrels last week. Gasoline inventories fell by 2.33 million barrels, while distillate stocks increased by 2.48 million barrels. Propane inventories rose by 1.259 million barrels to 91.306 million barrels. That compares with 76.651 million barrels a […]
Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic remains well below normal
July 1, 2026
The API reported U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 6.1 million barrels last week, while gasoline stocks declined by 2.1 million barrels. Distillate inventories increased by 2.9 million barrels. The United States and Iran continue peace negotiations in Doha, but progress appears fragile. According to The Wall Street Journal, an […]
Big banks lower crude price forecast
June 30, 2026
There are several big investment banks revising down their crude price forecast as it appears the world has done a better job than anyone expected dealing with the disruptions out of the Middle East caused by the war. Global inventories are low and this is a concern, but many market […]
US-Iran tensions flare despite ceasefire agreement
June 29, 2026
Oil prices are up this morning after more flare ups over the weekend sparked investors to put more of a risk premium into the market. Both the US and Iran have said they would stand down for now and allow vessels to move freely in the strait after a weekend […]
US-Iran Continue Negotiations
June 22, 2026
There were several headlines throughout the weekend as the negotiations between the US and Iran continued. As Israeli continued some military action in Lebanon over the weekend, Iran threatened to end negotiations and President Trump warned of potential military actions against Iran. Tensions were eventually eased, and reports say progress […]
Three Saudi ships move through Strait of Hormuz
June 18, 2026
The DOE inventory report had crude oil inventories down 8.26 million barrels, gasoline supplies down 910,000 barrels and distillate up 950,000 barrels. Total US crude oil supplies are at 418.222 million barrels, last year 420.942 and the 3-year average is 447.113. US crude production remains strong at over the 13 […]
Big banks lower crude price forecasts
June 17, 2026
The average estimates for today’s inventory update from DOE report from the Bloomberg survey is crude oil supplies down 3.692 million, gasoline down 759,000 and distillates down 485,000. The API inventory report called crude oil supplies down 8.33, gasoline up 2.47, and distillates down 416,000. The Fed is expected to […]
Strategic Petroleum Reserve stocks fall to lowest level since 1983
June 16, 2026
According to data from the Department of Energy, stocks of crude oil in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 340.3 million barrels, the lowest level since 1983. Supplies are now less than half of the 714-million-barrel capacity. Inventories in the SPR fell by 8.9 million barrels last week, the […]
US-Iran may finally have a deal to end war, reopen Strait of Hormuz
June 15, 2026
On Friday we had news of memorandum between US and Iran to halt the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, prices sold off on that news as traders took some profits. Over the weekend we were told a deal had been reached and it will be signed Friday June […]
EIA doesn’t expect summer gasoline demand to dip much despite higher prices
June 12, 2026
The energy markets are lower on the news that a peace deal will be signed soon. Reports say they may sign these papers in conjunction with the G7 meeting which is taking place next week. There have also been some reports that say Switzerland could be the location for the […]

