Gasoline Futures Leading Energy Complex Higher
RBOB gasoline futures are leading the energy complex higher once again to start Thursday’s session, reaching a fresh 4 month high and punching through chart resistance at the 200 day moving average overnight. A large draw in gasoline inventories seems to have helped the annual spring gasoline rally with its latest push higher even though oil and distillate prices are lagging.
If RBOB futures can hold above the 200 day moving average (known historically as a level that large funds have used as an indicator of strength vs weakness) there is not much on the charts to prevent a run at the $2 mark over the coming weeks. WTI and ULSD futures may continue to act as a drag on the gasoline rally however if they can’t find enough momentum to break out of their sideways range.
According to the DOE, US refinery runs increased for a 2nd straight week, suggesting that we have made the turn for spring maintenance, and should see run rates increase over the next 6 weeks. One potential flaw with that typical-seasonal pattern: More unplanned refinery downtime. After Valero reported its McKee FCC went down again last week (for the 2nd time this year) multiple explosions were reported at HollyFrontier’s plant in El Dorado KS, and the Richmond CA refinery was also reported to have more problems.
Why are gasoline prices up a nickel since the DOE reported a 12% increase in PADD 1 refining rates last week? Gasoline stocks along the East Coast dropped by more than 3 million barrels, and even with the increase (from an 8 year low last week) refinery runs are still below the bottom end of their seasonal range.
Why are crude oil prices rallying even though oil inventories built by 7 million barrels last week? Net imports were up more than 1 million barrels/day on the week, accounting for an 11 million barrels increase based on trade flows, meaning the headline value is not likely reflective of lower demand.
The EPA reported that model year 2017 vehicles reached a record high fuel economy, and a record low for GHG emissions in their latest automotive trends update. As the chart below shows, manufacturers are using a wide range of technologies from turbo-charged engines (which has been driving up demand for premium gasoline) to more advanced transmissions and hybrid engines to achieve these targets.
Today’s head scratcher: With the world racing to produce more diesel ahead of expected shortages when the IMO 2020 rules take effect, why would Russia’s Rosneft delay upgrading projects at 5 of its refineries that would allow for increased diesel production? Are they tight on funds or betting on non-compliance to manage through the new rules?
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Energy Futures Are Caught Up In Headline Tug-O-War This Morning
Energy futures are caught up in headline tug-o-war this morning with Canadian oil production concerns and a positive US GDP report trying to push prices higher while sinking Chinese demand worries and Gaza ceasefire hopes are applying downward pressure. The latter two seem to be favored more so far this morning with WTI and Brent crude oil futures down ~45 cents per barrel, while gasoline and diesel prices are down about half a cent and two cents, respectively.
No news is good news? Chicago gasoline prices dropped nearly 30 cents yesterday, despite there not being any update on Exxon’s Joliet refinery after further damage was discovered Wednesday. Its tough to say if traders have realized the supply situation isn’t as bad as originally thought or if this historically volatile market is just being itself (aka ‘Chicago being Chicago’).
The rain isn’t letting up along the Texas Gulf Coast today and is forecasted to carry on through the weekend. While much of the greater Houston area is under flood watch, only two refineries are within the (more serious) flood warning area: Marathon’s Galveston Bay and Valero’s Texas City refineries. However, notification that more work is needed at Phillip’s 66 Borger refinery (up in the panhandle) is the only filing we’ve seen come through the TECQ, so far.
Premiums over the tariff on Colonial’s Line 1 (aka linespace value) returned to zero yesterday, and actually traded in the negatives, after its extended run of positive values atypical of this time of year. Line 1’s counterpart, Line 2, which carries distillates from Houston to Greensboro NC, has traded at a discount so far this year, due to the healthy, if not over-, supply of diesel along the eastern seaboard.
Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk.
WTI And Brent Crude Oil Futures Are Trading ~$1.50 Per Barrel Lower In Pre-Market Trading
The across-the-board drawdown in national energy stockpiles, as reported by the Department of Energy yesterday, stoked bullish sentiment Wednesday and prompt month gasoline, diesel, and crude oil futures published gains on the day. Those gains are being given back this morning.
The surprise rate cut by the People’s Bank of China is being blamed for the selling we are seeing in energy markets this morning. While the interest rate drop in both short- and medium-term loans won’t likely affect energy prices outright, the concern lies in the overall economic health of the world’s second largest economy and crude oil consumer. Prompt month WTI and Brent crude oil futures are trading ~$1.50 per barrel lower in pre-market trading, gasoline and diesel are following suit, shaving off .0400-.0450 per gallon.
Chicagoland RBOB has maintained its 60-cent premium over New York prices through this morning and shows no sign of coming down any time soon. Quite the opposite in fact: the storm damage, which knocked Exxon Mobil’s Joliet refinery offline on 7/15, seems to be more extensive than initially thought, potentially extending the repair time and pushing back the expected return date.
There are three main refineries that feed the Chicago market, the impact from one of them shutting down abruptly can be seen in the charts derived from aforementioned data published by the DOE. Refinery throughput in PADD 2 dropped 183,000 barrels per day, driving gasoline stockpiles in the area down to a new 5-year seasonal low.
While it seems all is quiet on the Atlantic front (for now), America’s Refineryland is forecasted to receive non-stop rain and thunderstorms for the next four days. While it may not be as dramatic as a hurricane, flooding and power outages can shut down refineries, and cities for that matter, all the same, as we learned from Beryl.