Energy Futures Hover Near Multi-Month Highs

Market TalkWednesday, Mar 13 2019
Spring Breakout Rally Recovering From Hangover

Energy futures continue to hover near multi-month highs, on the verge of another technical breakout to the upside, looking for the next catalyst to push prices on their next big move. Distillates are the exception to that rule however, as ULSD futures are ticking lower for a 6th straight session, although the sum total of the losses during that time are a fairly meaningless 3 cents/gallon.

It’s data deluge week, as in addition to the normal weekly reports, we’re also getting monthly outlooks form the DOE/EIA, OPEC and the IEA. That’s in addition to the slew of headlines that continue to come from the CERAWeek conference going on in Houston.

The API was said to report a draw in oil stocks of 2.6 million barrels last week, along with a 5.8 million barrel drop in gasoline stocks, while distillates were fairly flat, estimated to increase by less than 200,000 barrels. The DOE’s weekly report is due out at its regular time this morning. Recent swings in import/export flows have been key drivers of the weekly inventory levels, with the EIA highlighted in a new report this morning. That import/export flow highlights the latest STEO Monthly forecast from the EIA, in which the agency predicts the country’s transition from net importer to exporter in the next 2 years.

The EPA proposed new rules to allow E15 blends year-round, and to make a handful of reforms to RIN markets. The proposal will undergo a public comment period before becoming final. RIN values dropped on the news, and following a report that small refiners believe their exemptions to the RFS are legally “bulletproof”.

As for the RVP waiver that will allow E15 blends in the summer, meaning the EPA is going to allow more fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere in an effort to use more corn, that seems to be a clear victory for Ag groups, but it remains to be seen how the new ruling – if it’s finalized – will trickle down to the retail level. For example, in a state like Texas that does not allow the 1lb RVP waiver (more evaporation of fuel in the summer) with ethanol blends, E15 may still not be sold even though the federal ruling will allow it.

Speaking of state/federal EPA arguments: The newly confirmed head of the EPA is pushing ahead with new nationwide fuel economy standards after negotiations with California on their version of the plan broke down. The new “SAFE” fuel efficiency standards are intended to replace the “CAFE” standards that set lofty goals that many automakers felt were unattainable, famously highlighted by the cheating scandals at a handful in the past few years.

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Pivotal Week For Price Action
Market TalkThursday, Mar 28 2024

Energy Markets Are Ticking Modestly Higher Heading Into The Easter Weekend With Crude Oil Prices Leading The Way Up About $1.25/Barrel Early Thursday Morning

Energy markets are ticking modestly higher heading into the Easter Weekend with crude oil prices leading the way up about $1.25/barrel early Thursday morning, while gasoline prices are up around 2.5 cents and ULSD futures are about a penny.

Today is the last trading day for April HO and RBOB futures, an unusually early expiration due to the month ending on a holiday weekend. None of the pricing agencies will be active tomorrow since the NYMEX and ICE contracts are completely shut, so most rack prices published tonight will carry through Monday.

Gasoline inventories broke from tradition and snapped a 7 week decline as Gulf Coast supplies increased, more than offsetting the declines in PADDs 1, 2 and 5. With gulf coast refiners returning from maintenance and cranking out summer grade gasoline, the race is now officially on to move their excess through the rest of the country before the terminal and retail deadlines in the next two months. While PADD 3 run rates recover, PADD 2 is expected to see rates decline in the coming weeks with 2 Chicago-area refineries scheduled for planned maintenance, just a couple of weeks after BP returned from 7 weeks of unplanned repairs.

Although terminal supplies appear to be ample around the Baltimore area, we have seen linespace values for shipping gasoline on Colonial tick higher in the wake of the tragic bridge collapse as some traders seem to be making a small bet that the lack of supplemental barge resupply may keep inventories tight until the barge traffic can move once again. The only notable threat to refined product supplies is from ethanol barge traffic which will need to be replaced by truck and rail options, but so far that doesn’t seem to be impacting availability at the rack. Colonial did announce that they would delay the closure of its underutilized Baltimore north line segment that was scheduled for April 1 to May 1 out of an “abundance of caution”.

Ethanol inventories reached a 1-year high last week as output continues to hold above the seasonal range as ethanol distillers seem to be betting that expanded use of E15 blends will be enough to offset sluggish gasoline demand. A Bloomberg article this morning also highlights why soybeans are beginning to displace corn in the subsidized food to fuel race.

Flint Hills reported a Tuesday fire at its Corpus Christi West facility Wednesday, although it’s unclear if that event will have a material impact on output after an FCC unit was “stabilized” during the fire. While that facility isn’t connected to Colonial, and thus doesn’t tend to have an impact on USGC spot pricing, it is a key supplier to the San Antonio, Austin and DFW markets, so any downtime may be felt at those racks.

Meanwhile, P66 reported ongoing flaring at its Borger TX refinery due to an unknown cause. That facility narrowly avoided the worst wildfires in state history a few weeks ago but is one of the frequent fliers on the TCEQ program with upsets fairly common in recent years.

Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk, including all charts from the Weekly DOE Report.

Pivotal Week For Price Action
Pivotal Week For Price Action
Market TalkWednesday, Mar 27 2024

Most Energy Contracts Are Ticking Lower For A 2nd Day After A Trickle Of Selling Picked Up Steam Tuesday

Most energy contracts are ticking lower for a 2nd day after a trickle of selling picked up steam Tuesday. ULSD futures are down a dime from Monday’s highs and RBOB futures are down 7 cents.

Diesel prices continue to look like the weak link in the energy chain, with futures coming within 1 point of their March lows overnight, setting up a test of the December lows around $2.48 if that resistance breaks down. Despite yesterday’s slide, RBOB futures still look bullish on the weekly charts, with a run towards the $3 mark still looking like a strong possibility in the next month or so.

The API reported crude stocks increased by more than 9 million barrels last week, while distillates were up 531,000 and gasoline stocks continued their seasonal decline falling by 4.4 million barrels. The DOE’s weekly report is due out at its normal time this morning.

RIN values have recovered to their highest levels in 2 months around $.59/RIN for D4 and D6 RINs, even though the recovery rally in corn and soybean prices that had helped lift prices off of the 4 year lows set in February has stalled out. Expectations for more biofuel production to be shut in due to weak economics with lower subsidy values seems to be encouraging the tick higher in recent weeks, although prices are still about $1/RIN lower than this time last year.

Reminder that Friday is one of only 3 annual holidays in which the Nymex is completely shut, so no prices will be published, but it’s not a federal holiday in the US so banks will be open.

Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk.