Energy Bulls Pass Big Test With Flying Colors
The energy bulls passed their first big test in 3 months with flying colors this week, bouncing off of trend support early Thursday morning, then extending those gains later in the day following a bullish report from the DOE, and keeping that momentum going this morning. Big draws in oil and gasoline inventories, and an all-time record for gasoline demand estimates, highlighted the DOE’s weekly report, and sent prices on an immediate rally that was able to sustain through the afternoon and the overnight session.
The EIA’s total petroleum “demand” estimate surpassed 21 million barrels/day last week, a new high since the start of the pandemic, and higher than we were at this point in 2019. That surge was led by a 10% spike in gasoline demand, which reached its highest weekly level in 30 years of data provided from the DOE. While the 4-week average (which is deemed much more reliable than the weekly number) is still trailing pre-pandemic levels, that spike north of 10 million barrels/day (the first time that’s ever happened) is a signal that US consumers are ready to move. We are likely to see a dose of reality next week as the post-holiday hangover has hit demand across the country, and the rain Elsa is dumping along the east coast likely is keeping cars off the road this week. Diesel demand estimates slipped on the week, but remain above both their 5 year average and 2019 levels for this time of year.
Refiners look to be up to the challenge of surging demand, raising gasoline output north of 10.5 million barrels/day for just a 3rd time ever, even though total run rates remain well below where we’d expect them this time of year, and 5% of capacity going away permanently over the past year. That said, as the wide spread in rack prices across the country shows, just because refiners can produce enough fuel in total to continue outpacing US consumption, that doesn’t mean the pipeline network is equipped to get that fuel where it needs to be, particularly in the Western half of the country.
US Oil production did rise to 11.3 million barrels/day, another post-pandemic high. A WSJ article today suggests that American frackers are showing restraint with prices near 6 year highs, choosing to pay off debts rather than plow money into more drilling. While that sounds interesting, for an industry that does not do moderation, it seems like the supply-chain shortages being dealt with in so many industries may be a bigger factor. It will be interesting to see if we get a few more months of prices in the $70s, if the group long known as wildcatters will still be restrained.
If you need some weekend reading material (or are having trouble sleeping) check out BP’s annual world energy statistical review. The report highlights the record setting extremes we witnessed in 2020, details the progress the world is making on renewable energy sources, and notes why those efforts still fall far short of what would be needed to become carbon neutral.
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Energy Markets Rally Again Thursday After A Choppy Wednesday Session
Energy markets are trying to rally again Thursday after a choppy Wednesday session. RBOB gasoline futures are leading the push higher, on pace for a 3rd consecutive day of gains after finding a temporary floor Tuesday and have added 12 cents from those lows.
Equity markets are pointing sharply lower after a weak Q1 GDP estimate which seems to have contributed to a pullback in product prices over the past few minutes, but don’t be surprised if the “bad news is good news” low interest rate junkies start jumping in later on.
The DOE’s weekly report showed sluggish demand for gasoline and diesel, but inventory levels in most markets continue to follow their typical seasonal trends. Refinery runs held fairly steady last week with crude inputs down slightly but total gross throughputs up slightly as most facilities are now back online from a busy spring maintenance season and geared up for peak demand this summer.
Propane and propylene exports spiked to a record high north of 2.3 million barrels/day last week, which demonstrates both the US’s growing influence on global product markets, and the steady shift towards “other” products besides traditional gasoline and diesel in the level of importance for refiners.
The EIA acknowledged this morning that its weak diesel consumption estimates reflected the switch to Renewable Diesel on the West Coast, although they did not provide any timeline for when that data will be included in the weekly survey. The agency acknowledged that more than 4% of the total US consumption is now a combination of RD and Biodiesel, and that number is expected to continue to grow this year. This morning’s note also suggested that weak manufacturing activity was to blame for the sluggish diesel demand across the US, while other reports suggest the freight recession continued through Q1 of this year, which is also contributing to the big shift from tight diesel markets to oversupplied in several regions.
Valero kicked off the Q1 earnings releases for refiners with solid net income of $1.2 billion that’s a far cry from the spectacular earnings north of $3 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The refining sector made $1.7 billion, down from $4.1 billion last year. That is a pattern that should be expected from other refiners as well as the industry returns to a more normal market after 2 unbelievable years. You wouldn’t guess it by looking at stock prices for refiners though, as they continue to trade near record highs despite the more modest earnings.
Another pattern we’re likely to see continue with other refiners is that Renewable earnings were down, despite a big increase in production as lower subsidies like RINs and LCFS credit values sting producers that rely on those to compete with traditional products. Valero’s SAF conversion project at its Diamond Green joint venture is progressing ahead of schedule and will give the company optionality to flip between RD and SAF depending on how the economics of those two products shakes out this year. Valero also shows part of why refiners continue to disappear in California, with operating expenses for its West Coast segment nearly 2X that of the other regions it operates in.
Week 16 - US DOE Inventory Recap
Energy Markets Trading Quietly In The Red As Ethanol Prices Rally To Five-Month High
Energy markets are trading quietly in the red to start Wednesday’s session after a healthy bounce Tuesday afternoon suggested the Israel-Iran-linked liquidation had finally run its course.
There are reports of more Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy assets overnight, but the sources are sketchy so far, and the market doesn’t seem to be reacting as if this is legitimate news.
Ethanol prices have rallied to a 5-month high this week as corn and other grain prices have rallied after the latest crop progress update highlighted risks to farmers this year, lower grain export expectations from Ukraine, and the approval of E15 blends this summer despite the fact it pollutes more. The rally in grain and renewables prices has also helped RIN values find a bid after it looked like they were about to test their 4-year lows last week.
The API reported small changes in refined product inventories last week, with gasoline stocks down about 600,000, while distillates were up 724,000. Crude oil inventories increased by 3.2 million barrels according to the industry-group estimates. The DOE’s weekly report is due out at its normal time this morning.
Total reported another upset at its Port Arthur refinery that’s been a frequent flier on the TCEQ alerts since the January deep freeze knocked it offline and damaged multiple operating units. This latest upset seems minor as the un-named unit impacted was returned to normal operations in under an hour. Gulf Coast basis markets have shrugged off most reports of refinery upsets this year as the region remains well supplied, and it’s unlikely we’ll see any impact from this news.
California conversely reacted in a big way to reports of an upset at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery outside of LA, with CARBOB basis values jumping by more than a dime. Energy News Today continued to show its value by reporting the upset before the flaring notice was even reported to area regulators, proving once again it’s ahead of the curve on refinery-related events. Another industry news outlet meanwhile struggled just to remember where the country’s largest diesel seller is located.
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