Diesel Prices Hit Lowest Level Since January 2022 Amid Technical Support Failure, Shortages Persist in Southwest US

Diesel prices are trading at their lowest levels since the first week of January 2022 this morning after technical support around the $2.50 level failed to hold in Tuesday’s session, dragging the entire energy complex sharply lower. Tuesday’s US Consumer confidence report showed the lowest reading in 9 months, adding to the bearish sentiment for energy and equity markets. 

Contango is back: The drop in prompt prices for distillates coincides with a collapse in the forward curve with prices for November and December ULSD currently trading 2 cents higher than May and June contracts. This time last year, prompt ULSD was trading at a premium of more than $2/gallon above 1 year forward values and today that premium has dropped to less than a penny/gallon as the world has finally figured out a work-around to the Russian supply conundrum. 

Just don’t tell people in Arizona or New Mexico that diesel prices are cheap. Rack prices in those states continue to be offered north of $3.50/gallon as shortages across the Southwestern US persist. West Texas and Nevada are seeing similar price spikes as pipeline resupply options simply aren’t able to make up for the refinery downtime in the region, which has seen a few other smaller facilities convert to renewables production or shut down completely in recent years.  Arizona’s low RVP CBG grade gasoline is going for $4.50/gallon in Phoenix, while spot prices for that boutique grade in LA are trading at $2.90.

While not nearly as extreme as what we’re seeing in the Southwest, values for diesel in the Group 3 market have been on a rollercoaster ride the past two weeks, with differentials fluctuating by 10-20 cents daily with premiums north of 40 cents and below 20 being talked on any given day. Here too, refiners trying to supplement supplies during maintenance, with fewer options now than in years past continues to be the underlying theme.

The Superior Wisconsin refinery is back operating under new ownership 5-years to the day after it blew up and forced a partial evacuation of that town. The refinery rebuild took 2 years longer and cost 3 times the original expected amount. Given the relatively small size and isolated location of that facility, don’t expect it to have any noticeable impact on spot prices in the region.

An explosion Tuesday at an asphalt facility in Lemont IL killed 1 worker and sent another to the hospital. That facility is adjacent to Citgo’s Lemont refinery, but refinery operations were not expected to be impacted. The terminal rack was temporarily taken offline following the explosion, but was brought back online by the afternoon.

The API reported an inventory decline of 6 million barrels for crude oil last week, even though more sales from the SPR continue, while gasoline stocks dropped by 1.9 million barrels and distillates increased by 1.7 million barrels. That report probably helps explain the relative strength for RBOB and WTI futures vs ULSD this morning. The EIA’s weekly report is due out at its normal time. 

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