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☆ Fire erupts at Russia's Novatek Baltic Sea terminal after explosions heard
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2022/06/15: Novatek Logo seen on the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2022 (SPIEF 2022). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)A fire broke out at a Baltic Sea terminal belonging to Novatek, Russia's largest liquefied natural gas producer, regional officials said on Sunday, amid reports of explosions and Ukrainian drone sightings in the area. "There were no casualties as a result of the fire at the Novatek terminal in the port of Ust-Luga. St. Petersburg-based news outlet Fontanka said at least two drones were spotted in the sky flying towards St. Petersburg before the terminal caught fire. That came a day after an attack on a Russian Baltic Sea oil terminal that Russian officials said was unsuccessful.

Persons: Maksim Konstantinov, Alexander Drozdenko, Drozdenko, Fontanka, Novatek Organizations: St ., Economic, Getty, Leningrad region's, Moscow, Kyiv Locations: SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, St, St . Petersburg, Novatek, Finland, Ust, Leningrad, Petersburg, Russia, Ukraine, Russia's, Bryansk, Baltic, Russian

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A surge of diesel and gasoline exports from China in the last northern winter eased then-prevailing fuel shortages in Asia but a repeat performance this year is unlikely. Diesel exports peaked at 2.39 million metric tons in January this year, before dropping to just 290,000 by June, according to official customs data. Since then they have eased back, dropping to 1.18 million metric tons in September and 1.11 million in October. November exports are expected to less than 700,000 metric tons, according to an estimate by LSEG based on ship-tracking and port data. Shipments this month are likely to be around 600,000 metric tons, according to LSEG, which would be the weakest month this year.

Persons: LSEG, Kpler, Robert Birsel Organizations: Diesel, LSEG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, China, Asia, Russia, Ukraine, Beijing, Singapore, Europe

The decline has been driven by weakness in producing fuels such as gasoline and naphtha, even as the margin on middle distillates has performed strongly. The trend for refining in Asia is increasingly characterised by strong margins for middle distillates, which are enough to offset weakness in gasoline and even losses for naphtha. Asia's total exports were 7.4 million metric tons in September, equivalent to about 1.85 million bpd, according to data from LSEG. Data from commodity analysts Kpler is also far from convincing, with just 660,000 metric tons of diesel shipments from China so far in October. Effectively, Asia's refiners are happy to suffer weak margins on fuels such as gasoline and naphtha because the profits on middle distillates are so high.

Persons: it's, refiners, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, China, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Kolkata, India, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Singapore, Dubai, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, China, Beijing

Along with mild winter weather in much of the northern hemisphere, Chinese fuel exports helped avert widespread shortages of diesel, heating oil and gasoil. Russia's ban on diesel exports ahead of winter has sparked a new round of concerns of another supply shock. Chinese fuel exports are currently around 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), down from last year's peak at 1.8 million bpd in December. China's fuel exports are subject to quotas, closely monitored by the global fuel trading community. China also has quotas for imports of crude oil that refiners use to make diesel and other products.

Persons: Meng Meng, John Kilduff, Matt Smith, Al Zour, Kpler, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yapl, Simon Webb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Total, Al, Diesel, U.S . East, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Boxing, Shandong Province, China, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Americas, Brazil, Turkey, New York, Beijing, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Asia, Middle, Western Europe, America, U.S . East Coast

European distillate inventories were 25 million barrels (-6% or -0.84 standard deviations) below the seasonal average at the end of September. Singapore distillate stocks averaged 3 million barrels (-23% or 1.30 standard deviations) below the seasonal average in September. Chartbook: Global distillate inventories and pricesPortfolio investors have been reducing their exposure to middle distillates since late August, which has likely anticipated, accelerated and amplified the retreat in prices and margins. But inventories are already tight; any expansion will cause them to deplete further, rapidly putting renewed upward pressure on prices. Related columns:- U.S. manufacturing rebound will stretch diesel supplies (October 5, 2023)- Funds grow bullish on crude, cautious on distillates (September 18, 2023)- Global diesel shortage boosts prices (September 13, 2023)- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (August 11, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, John Kemp, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, ICE Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Global, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Nice, France, Singapore, New York, United States, U.S, Europe, China

Oil rigs are seen at Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina January 21, 2019. U.S. job growth rose by 336,000 in September according to Labor Department statistics, far exceeding economists' forecasts of a 170,000 rise. The sentiment of the statistics is mixed for oil prices. A strong U.S. dollar is typically negative for oil demand, making the commodity relatively more expensive for holders of other currencies. "Fear for the health of the global economy and thus oil demand going forward is at the heart of the sell-off," SEB analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Baker Hughes, Brent, WTI, SEB, Bjarne Schieldrop, Stephanie Kelly, Robert Harvey, Sudarshan, William Maclean, Sharon Singleton, Louise Heavens, David Gregorio, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, YORK, . West Texas, Labor Department statistics, ING, Companies, Day, Xinhua, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Russia, gasoil, U.S, New York, London, Singapore

☆ Oil prices hold steady, Russia rolls back diesel export ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Robert Harvey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oil rigs are seen at Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable but on course for a week-on-week loss, as demand fears due to macroeconomic headwinds were compounded by another partial lifting of Russia's fuel export ban. Almost three quarters of Russia's 35 million tonnes of diesel exports were delivered via pipeline in 2022. "Fear for the health of the global economy and thus oil demand going forward is at the heart of the sell-off," SEB analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said. The German economy is expected to contract by 0.4% in 2023 because of high inflation and energy prices, government sources told Reuters.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Brent, SEB, Bjarne Schieldrop, Craig Erlam, Isabel Schnabel, Robert Harvey, Sudarshan, William Maclean, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, West Texas, Russia, Investors, Fed, European Central Bank, ECB, Day, Xinhua, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, gasoil, Saudi Arabia, Russia, London, Singapore

☆ Oil prices rise, but post biggest weekly fall since March
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose on Friday but remained posted their steepest weekly losses since March, after another partial lifting of Russia's fuel export ban compounded demand fears due to macroeconomic headwinds. On Friday, Brent futures settled up 51 cents at $84.58 per barrel. The sentiment of the statistics is mixed for oil prices. A strong U.S. dollar is typically negative for oil demand, making the commodity relatively more expensive for holders of other currencies. "Fear for the health of the global economy and thus oil demand going forward is at the heart of the sell-off," SEB analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said.

Persons: Brent, WTI, SEB, Bjarne Schieldrop, Baker Hughes Organizations: . West Texas, Labor Department statistics, ING, Companies, Day, Xinhua Locations: Red, Ras Behar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, gasoil, U.S

☆ China is swing factor in diesel’s global squeeze
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

As demand enters peak season, Xi’s ability to dictate how much Chinese oil companies export looks like the key swing factor. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsGlobally, demand for diesel and gasoil is around 28 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the International Energy Agency. Of the world’s 8 million bpd export flows, Russia exported on average 1 million bpd in the nine months to September, according to consultancy Vortexa. Even so, China last year overtook the United States as the world’s biggest refiner, with total refining capacity of 18.4 million bpd. That would limit Chinese exports to below 400,000 bpd, according to Vortexa, adding to tightness elsewhere.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sun, Brent, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, International Energy Agency, Longzhong, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Saudi, U.S, Singapore, El, Russia, Vortexa, China, United States, Europe, Beijing, Moscow

TASS news agency cited Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov as saying the government "at all levels" had been discussing partial permission for fuel exports. Europe could also fill some of the gap left by the Russia gasoline ban. Northwest European suppliers, which lost market share in West Africa to Russian supplies this year, could step in, FGE said. Since banning Russian fuel imports, Europe has been seeking suppliers elsewhere, including from the Middle East. As a result, traders said they expected Northeast Asian refiners in China and South Korea to boost diesel exports to Europe.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Alexander Novak, Vortexa, Nikolai Shulginov, JP Morgan, FGE, Edmund Blair, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Traders, Kremlin, Kommersant, TASS, Analysts, FGE Energy, WHO, BE, European Union, Gulf, Diesel, Northwest, Competition, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka Bay, Nakhodka, Russia, LONDON, SINGAPORE, Soviet, United States, Ukraine, Europe, Brazil, Turkey, North, West, East, Gulf, gasoil, India, Africa, Kpler, U.S, Gulf Coast, America, West Africa, China, South Korea

☆ Oil prices edge higher as markets focus on supply tightness
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view of a crude oil storage facility is seen on May 4, 2020 in Cushing, Oklahoma. Oil prices ticked up in early trade on Wednesday, as markets focused on supply tightness heading into winter and a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy. Brent crude futures rose 33 cents, or 0.4%, to $94.29 a barrel by 0015 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 31 cents, or 0.3%, to $90.70. Industry data released on Tuesday showed U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose last week by about 1.6 million barrels, against analysts' expectations for a drop of about 300,000 barrels. However, markets continued to worry about U.S. crude stockpiles at the key Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub falling below minimum operating levels.

Persons: Cushing, Neel Kashkari Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Russian Railways, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, of England, Senate, Republicans Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, U.S, Oklahoma, Cushing, Russia, Minneapolis

☆ Oil prices climb as markets focus on supply tightness
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An aerial view shows oil tanks of Transneft oil pipeline operator at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia June 13, 2022. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose nearly $1 on Wednesday as markets focused on supply tightness heading into winter and a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy. Brent crude futures rose 86 cents, or 0.9%, to $94.82 a barrel by 0340 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 86 cents, or 0.9%, to $91.25. "Oil prices are overall relatively strong amid the current tightening of supply," said CMC Markets analyst Leon Li, however adding that price support from Russia and Saudi Arabia supply cuts may be limited through the year-end. "(Economic) Data from countries in Europe and the United States have recently weakened ... Oil prices in October may show a volatile trend as a whole.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Cushing, Leon Li, Neel Kashkari, Arathy Somasekhar, Emily Chow, Sonali Paul 私 Organizations: Rights, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, ANZ Research, Russian Railways, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, of England Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Rights SINGAPORE, U.S, Oklahoma, Cushing, Saudi Arabia, Europe, United States, Minneapolis, Houston, Singapore

The diesel ban will have the biggest impact because Russia is the world's top seaborne exporter of the fuel, just ahead of the United States. Europe could also fill some of the gap left by the Russia gasoline ban. Northwest European suppliers, which lost market share in West Africa to Russian supplies this year, could step in, FGE said. Since banning Russian fuel imports, Europe has been seeking suppliers elsewhere, including from the Middle East. As a result, traders said they expected Northeast Asian refiners in China and South Korea to boost diesel exports to Europe.

Persons: Alexey Malgavko, Vortexa, JP Morgan, said.Turkey, FGE, Edmund Blair Organizations: Traders, Kremlin, FGE Energy, WHO, BE, European Union, Gulf, Diesel, Northwest, Competition, Thomson Locations: Omsk, Russia, LONDON, SINGAPORE, Soviet, United States, Ukraine, Europe, Brazil, Turkey, North, West, East, Gulf, gasoil, India, Africa, Kpler, U.S, Gulf Coast, America, West Africa, China, South Korea

☆ Russia dodges G7 price cap sanctions on most of its oil exports- FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian oil cargo Pure Point, carrying crude oil, is seen anchored at the port in Karachi, Pakistan June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 24 (Reuters) - Russian crude oil supplies increased 50% this spring despite the G7 countries imposing sanctions due to war in Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Sunday citing data from analytics company Kpler. The European Union, G7 countries and Australia introduced a price cap of $60 a barrel on Russian oil in last December, aiming to curb Russia's ability to finance the conflict in Ukraine. However, Russian oil revenues are likely to increase due to constant increases in crude prices and a reduction in the discount on its own oil, the FT report said, citing Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) estimates. Almost three-quarters of all the seaborne Russian crude flows travelled without western insurance in August, according to an analysis of shipping and insurance records by the Financial Times.

Persons: Akhtar Soomro, Russia's, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Financial Times, European Union, Kyiv School of Economics, Thomson Locations: Karachi, Pakistan, Ukraine, Australia, Russia, Bengaluru

☆ Russia's gasoline prices on exchange down almost 10% after export ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Russian wholesale gasoline Ai-92 grade prices fell by 9.7% to 55,892 roubles ($582) per metric ton on Friday, according to exchange data, following a government ban on fuel exports. Diesel prices were down 7.5% to 66,511 roubles per ton, according to the data from the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX). Wholesale fuel prices in Russia had been steadily rising this year amid fuel shortages, reaching all-time highs. In response, Russia on Thursday temporarily banned exports of gasoline and diesel to all countries apart from four ex-Soviet states. A Kremlin spokesman told reporters that the export ban would last for as long as necessary to ensure market stability.

Persons: Maxim, Dmitry Peskov, Pavel Sorokin, J.P, Morgan, Vladimir Soldatkin, Jason Neely, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, St . Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange, TASS, Kremlin, Energy, Citi, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, St, Baltic, Primorsk, Novorossiysk

☆ Russia curbs gasoline and diesel exports to ease shortages
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Russia has introduced a temporary ban on exports of gasoline and diesel to all countries except four ex-Soviet states in order to stabilize the domestic market, the government said Thursday. “Temporary restrictions will help saturate the fuel market, which in turn will reduce prices for consumers,” the Russian government said in a statement. In recent months Russia has suffered shortages of gasoline and diesel. Wholesale fuel prices have spiked, although retail prices are capped to try to curb them in line with official inflation. Traders say the Russian fuel market has been hit by factors including maintenance at oil refineries, bottlenecks on railways and the weakness of the ruble, which incentivizes fuel exports.

Organizations: Economic Union, Kremlin, Traders, ” Locations: Russia, Soviet, Moscow, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, “, breadbasket, ” Russia, Saudi Arabia

☆ Russia imposes temporary restrictions on fuel exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Temporary restrictions will help saturate the fuel market, which in turn will reduce prices for consumers," the government said in a statement. Government officials have said that the plans are intended to restrict fuel exports only to those who make the oil products, in order to avert a large-scale fuel crisis; a prohibitive duty on fuel exports has been considered. Wholesale fuel prices have spiked, although retail prices are capped to try to curb them in line with official inflation. Traders say the fuel market has been hit by factors including maintenance at oil refineries, bottlenecks on railways and the weakness of the rouble, which incentivises fuel exports. Russia exported 4.817 million tons of gasoline and almost 35 million tons of diesel last year.

Persons: Maxim, Vladimir Soldatkin, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Kremlin, Traders, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, breadbasket

A diesel fuel nozzle is seen attached to a car at a Shell petrol station in Berlin, Germany October 22, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/ Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Global distillate fuel oil inventories remain much lower than normal for the time of year which is putting strong upward pressure on fuel prices. Initially, the upward pressure on distillate refining margins was masked by downward pressure on the underlying prices for crude oil. Since July, however, both crude prices and distillate refining margins have been rising, causing the total price of fuel to surge. Related columns:- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (August 11, 2023)- Depleted U.S. diesel stocks attract hedge funds (July 20, 2023)- Global distillate stocks low despite industrial slowdown (June 13, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, John Kemp, Alexander Smith Organizations: Shell, REUTERS, OPEC ⁺, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Berlin, Germany, Singapore, New York, Saudi Arabia, Europe, North America, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, China

A general view of a crude oil importing port in Qingdao, Shandong province, November 9, 2008. Many of the newer, complex refineries in Asia prefer medium sour crude as it offers a higher yield of middle distillates such as diesel and jet fuel. ALTERED FLOWSThe higher prices for medium crude grades is impacting the ways in which crude is flowing around the world. China's imports from Brazil are expected to reach 29.07 million barrels in September, which would be the highest in three years, according to Kpler. While Saudi Arabia may have been successful in boosting oil prices, it is also disrupting the markets and altering physical crude flows.

Persons: Brent, China doesn't, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Moscow, Kpler, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Russia, East, Kuwait, Brent, Dubai, Ukraine, India, Iraq, China, Iran, Islamic Republic, United States, Brazil

☆ Oil heads for weekly fall on demand worries, dollar strength
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices fell slightly in early Asian trade on Friday, on track for a weekly decline as weak manufacturing activity hurt the global demand outlook and the dollar remained buoyant. Brent crude fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.20 a barrel by 0013 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 18 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.91 a barrel. A strong dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Oil fell for much of the week as global economies reported shrinking factory activity. India's oil consumption growth has also slowed in recent months on high inflation and slowing global trade.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Brent, Jerome Powell Organizations: U.S, West Texas, Federal Locations: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Japan, Saudi Arabia

Brent crude rose 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.36 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.05 a barrel. Prices traded lower for the majority of the session, before pushing higher in the last half hour of trading. Investor caution on the eve of his remarks lifted the safe-haven dollar, which makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Euro zone business activity also declined more than expected and Britain's economy looked set to shrink in the current quarter. On the supply side, Iran's crude oil output will reach 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of September, the country's oil minister was quoted as saying by state media, even though U.S. sanctions remain in place.

Persons: Brent, Giovanni Staunovo, Jackson, Jerome Powell, Craig Erlam, Erlam, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mohi Narayan, Kim Coghill, David Evans, David Gregorio, Deepa Babington Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, bbl, U.S, Fed, West Texas, UBS, U.S . Federal, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU, Europe, New York, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, U.S ., Japan, Venezuela, American

The improvement has largely been driven by stronger demand for refined fuels across Asia as economies open up from the COVID-19 pandemic, with China's domestic demand leading the charge. Margins have also been helped by the ability of refiners to pass on higher prices for refined fuels quickly, while still processing crude bought months in advance at lower prices. It's also likely that the strong refining margins in Asia will attract refiners in China and India to maximise exports of fuels such as gasoline and diesel. The profit margins for refined fuels have risen in recent sessions largely because the price of crude oil has dropped more than the prices for refined fuels. Crude prices rallied from July onwards as OPEC+ tightened supply, especially with the producer group's leading exporter Saudi Arabia announcing an additional 1 million barrel per day cut to its production.

Persons: Caroline Chia, It's, Brent, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, Saudi, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tuas, Singapore, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Dubai, South Korea, Vietnam, China, India, Refinitiv, Saudi Arabia, OPEC

With equipment idling as construction slows and dwindling exports curb manufacturing, diesel demand is likely to ebb. Rystad Energy lowered its forecast for China's diesel demand for July to December this year to 3.81 million barrels per day (bpd) from an earlier outlook of 3.9 million bpd, though the new forecast is up 3.8% from the first half of 2023. "Diesel demand is still growing, but at a lower-than-expected rate," said Lin Ye, a Beijing-based downstream analyst at Rystad, citing the ailing property sector and deteriorating trade environment. An uptick in Chinese diesel demand earlier this year, driven by resurgent road freight transport in the first quarter, has lost momentum. August diesel exports are estimated at 650,000 to 800,000 tons, down from July's estimate of 1 million tons, data compiled by consultancy Longzhong and China-based trading analysts showed.

Persons: Aly, Lin Ye, Xia Shiqing, Wood Mackenzie, Mia Geng, Andrew Hayley, Trixie Yap, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Energy, International Energy Agency, IEA, Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Huangpu, Shanghai, China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Asia, Longzhong, Singapore

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 17 (Reuters) - China made a rare draw on crude oil inventories in July as imports softened and refinery processing remained elevated to meet rising domestic demand and a surge in refined fuel exports. China doesn't disclose the volumes of crude flowing into or out of strategic and commercial stockpiles, but an estimate can be made by deducting the amount of crude processed from the total of crude available from imports and domestic output. The volume of crude available to refiners was 14.36 million bpd, consisting of imports of 10.29 million bpd and domestic output of 4.07 million bpd. Subtracting the refinery throughput from the total crude available leaves a deficit of 510,000 bpd. Imports dropped 2.38 million bpd in July from June's 12.67 million bpd, and were the lowest monthly total since January.

Persons: China doesn't, refiners, Brent, Robert Birsel Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Brent, Refinitiv Oil Research, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, China, storages, June's, East, Saudi Arabia, Brent, Singapore

☆ Oil hedge funds place their bets on heat-fueled hurricane season
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Nell Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Gasoline prices usually rise ahead of the U.S. summer driving season. Money managers in the week to Aug. 1 boosted their net long holdings of NYMEX RBOB gasoline futures to the highest since late February 2022. HEDGE FUND-FUELED TURNAROUNDGasoline futures have risen around 14% this year, compared with a roughly 2% rise for U.S. crude futures . To guarantee a profit, they need the rise in gasoline prices to be sustained until hurricane activity is confirmed. But for gasoline to continue its rise against the price of crude oil, there needs to be a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, they said.

Persons: Liz Hampton, Tom Kloza, Vincent Elbhar, Eliot Geller, Brent Belote, Cayler, Belote, Arion, Nell Mackenzie, Laura Sanicola, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Liz Hampton LONDON, Gulf Coasts, Silicon Valley, Societe Generale, Reuters, Money, Futures Trading Commission, Reuters Graphics, El, Oil Price Information Service, CTA, Investment, Commodity, Fund, Aspect, CoreCommodity Management, CoreCommodity, Barclays, JP, Cayler, Thomson Locations: Loco Hills, New Mexico, U.S, Russia, Ukraine, Gulf of Mexico, United States, Gulf, Silicon, Gulf Coast, Mexico, Europe, Hurricanes, Washington

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