Energy Futures Stumbling Out Of Gates
Energy futures are stumbling out of the gates to start the week with most contracts down 1% or more overnight as the global oil supply outlook that seemed so bullish a week ago suddenly appears to have spare capacity starting to build.
Reports that Russia is considering ending its oil production cut agreement with OPEC to gain back market share from US exporters is getting credit for the early selling this morning, although the interview referenced makes it clear no decisions have been made. Right on cue, the EIA Published a note this morning highlighting the surge in US oil exports in 2018, with Asia the largest regional destination, while Canada remains the largest single importer of US crude.
In addition, Iranian exports are still looking for a home as buyers shy away now that the exemptions to US sanctions are set to expire, adding more supply capacity to the world market.
This looks like it could be a pivotal week for gasoline prices as the last of the winter-grade barrels stop pricing for the season, and futures are close to breaking the bullish trend-line that’s been in place since January. If that trend breaks, and last week did mark the seasonal top, there’s a strong case to be made for gasoline prices to lose another 20 cents in short order.
Money managers added to their net-length in WTI for a 7th straight week, and for a 13th out of 14 weeks to start the year for Brent. The enthusiasm, though long in duration, is a little light in volume as both contracts are just now reaching their 5-year average for bets on higher prices from the large speculator category of trader.
After a 2 week dip into net-short territory, money manager holdings of ULSD have returned to a net-long position. RBOB meanwhile has the most speculative action – relative to seasonal norms – as those holdings remain above the 5 year seasonal range for a 5th straight week.
Producers meanwhile seem content to sell into the strength in prices, with swap dealer net-short positions in WTI increasing for an 8th straight week.
Baker Hughes reported 2 more oil rigs were put to work last week, a 2nd straight increase after 6 consecutive weekly declines suggesting that higher prices may stabilize drilling activity.
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Week 48 - US DOE Inventory Recap
The API Reported Gasoline Inventories Dropped By 898,000 Barrels Last Week
Gasoline and oil prices are attempting to rally for a 2nd straight day, a day ahead of the delayed OPEC meeting, while diesel prices are slipping back into the red following Tuesday’s strong showing.
The API reported gasoline inventories dropped by 898,000 barrels last week, crude inventories declined by 817,000 barrels while distillates saw an increase of 2.8 million barrels. Those inventory stats help explain the early increases for RBOB and WTI while ULSD is trading lower. The DOE’s weekly report is due out at its normal time this morning.
A severe storm on the Black Sea is disrupting roughly 2% of the world’s daily oil output and is getting some credit for the bounce in futures, although early reports suggest that this will be a short-lived event.
Chevron reported that its Richmond CA refinery was back online after a power outage Monday night. San Francisco spot diesel basis values rallied more than a dime Tuesday after a big drop on Monday following the news of that refinery being knocked offline.
Just a few days after Scotland’s only refinery announced it would close in 2025, Exxon touted its newest refinery expansion project in the UK Tuesday, with a video detailing how it was ramping up diesel production to reduce imports and possibly allow for SAF production down the road at its Fawley facility.
Ethanol prices continue to slump this week, reaching a 2-year low despite the bounce in gasoline prices as corn values dropped to a 3-year low, and the White House appears to be delaying efforts to shift to E15 in an election year.
Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk.
Values For Space On Colonial’s Main Gasoline Line Continue To Drop This Week
The petroleum complex continues to search for a price floor with relatively quiet price action this week suggesting some traders are going to wait and see what OPEC and Friends can decide on at their meeting Thursday.
Values for space on Colonial’s main gasoline line continue to drop this week, with trades below 10 cents/gallon after reaching a high north of 18-cents earlier in the month. Softer gasoline prices in New York seems to be driving the slide as the 2 regional refiners who had been down for extended maintenance both return to service. Diesel linespace values continue to hold north of 17-cents/gallon as East Coast stocks are holding at the low end of their seasonal range while Gulf Coast inventories are holding at average levels.
Reversal coming? Yesterday we saw basis values for San Francisco spot diesel plummet to the lowest levels of the year, but then overnight the Chevron refinery in Richmond was forced to shut several units due to a power outage which could cause those differentials to quickly find a bid if the supplier is forced to become a buyer to replace that output.
Money managers continued to reduce the net length held in crude oil contracts, with both Brent and WTI seeing long liquidation and new short positions added last week. Perhaps most notable from the weekly COT report data is that funds are continuing their counter-seasonal bets on higher gasoline prices. The net length held by large speculators for RBOB is now at its highest level since Labor Day, at a time of year when prices tend to drop due to seasonal demand weakness.
Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk.