Market Commentary
Trump and Putin to meet in Budapest, discuss Ukraine
October 17, 2025
The DOE reported crude oil stocks were up 3.52 million barrels, gasoline stocks were down 270,000 barrels, and distillates stocks were down 4.53 million barrels. Total crude stocks now sit at 423.785 million and last year there were 420.550 and three-year average is 425.885. Inventories are at the lower end […]
Trump claims India will stop buying Russian oil
October 16, 2025
The story remains the same: the market is concerned about the increased tension between the US and China, trade, and potential tariffs, and how these might impact our economy. President Trump claimed that India’s Prime Minister Modi had pledged to stop buying Russian crude oil. This has not been confirmed […]
Chinese oil refining flattens out
October 15, 2025
China’s refineries processed 488 million tonnes of crude and other feedstocks in the first eight months of the year, an increase of 16 million tonnes (+3%) compared with the same period in 2023, but still below the volume two years ago, as the country‘s oil consumption flattens out. Crude oil […]
US-China trade tensions ratchet up
October 14, 2025
Crude oil was up in yesterday’s trading by 1% or more mainly due to US and China trade war concerns that got stirred up over the weekend. US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said that the meeting between US and Chinese leaders remains on track to be held in south Korea […]
Brent crude prices at their lowest since 2020
October 13, 2025
After Friday’s big selloff, the markets opened higher on Sunday night. The market is also trying to figure out what the latest is with Trump threatening 100% tariffs on China. This news from China is also supporting prices in the near term and will be something traders will keep an […]
Ukrainian drone strike shuts down large Russian refinery
October 7, 2025
Reports surfaced that Saudi Arabia wanted to raise oil output by as much as 500,000 barrels per day (bpd), but other OPEC+ members opted to maintain lower production targets. Adding downward pressure on prices is the fact that refineries are entering their maintenance season in the fourth quarter, coinciding with […]
OPEC votes to increase crude production
October 6, 2025
OPEC+ decided to increase production in November by 137,000 bpd, the same as they did for this month. The market was looking for something more liked 500,000 bpd and that had helped the market sell off last week but a less than expected increase has crude up this morning. The […]
India becomes largest crude oil importer
September 30, 2025
An expected production increase from OPEC+ at this weekend’s meeting, combined with news of additional barrels being exported from Kurdistan to Turkey, has the energy market moving lower. The move downward is coming despite OPEC+ currently being roughly 500,000 barrels per day under its allowed quotas, which is supportive to […]
Crude oil prices rise as Ukraine continues attacks against Russian energy infrastructure
September 29, 2025
Crude oil prices rose on Friday with the focus on Ukraine drone attacks on Russian refineries and energy infrastructure which appears to be causing some fuels shortages in Russia. Also offering support is the US’s efforts get NATO allies to decrease their purchases of Russian oil and natural gas. Energy […]
OPEC+ not hitting production targets
September 26, 2025
Crude oil and fuel prices closed mixed in yesterday’s trading. The Bureau of Economist Analysis reported that the final estimate for Q2 2025 GDP came in at 3.8%, which was much higher than the 3.3% expected and above the expected range (3.3%,3.5%). The BEA reported that consumer spending came in […]
North Dakota oil output trends downward
September 25, 2025
The inventory report for propane showed supplies went up 987,000 barrels less than expected and total stocks are now at 99.918 million barrels. Last year the inventory was at 97.560 and the 5-year average was 90.712. The Midwest supplies were up 749,000 barrels, putting total Midwest stocks at 26.804 and […]
Ukraine hits two Russian oil distribution facilities
September 24, 2025
Kyiv’s general staff said Ukraine’s military struck two Russian oil distribution facilities in the Bryansk and Samara regions overnight. In Samara, the military hit a line production station that mixes Russian oil for its flagship Urals oil grade for export. In Bryansk, it hit a line production station of a […]

