It’s no secret that rising prices for refined products have drawn scorn from consumers, businesses and politicians alike, but the market isn’t stuck indefinitely. Today, we look at how China could play a major role in stabilizing the global refined products market and help bring down prices.
As tariffs, trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions reshaped LNG flows, sellers were pushed to find new buyers, buyers had to find new suppliers, and traders had to find new routes. Today, we look at how this shift reshaped U.S.-China LNG trade and whether the change is likely to stick.
For many, 2026 will be remembered as the year that diesel cracks topped the century mark ($100/bbl) for the first time, surpassing even the post-COVID boom year of 2022. Today, we examine the various factors driving this run-up and what they reveal about the broader physical refined products market.
Refined product prices have remained elevated this summer even as crude oil prices have fallen from their 2026 highs set just a few months ago. In today’s RBN blog, we look at several factors that help explain the seeming disconnect between product prices and crude oil prices.
Venezuela took center stage last weekend when President Trump removed and arrested President Nicolás Maduro, putting a spotlight on the country’s oil resources and production. Today we take a deep dive into how we think the upheaval could reshape crude oil flows, price differentials, refining slates and export economics.
Expanded energy development in Alaska has been a priority since President Trump returned to office. We review the moves and how they fit into plans to accelerate Arctic exploration and development.
The global petrochemical is currently experiencing a downturn, and this is showing up in earnings. These companies are reacting with cost reductions and capacity rationalizations.
Talks between President Trump and China's President Xi have led to a suspension of the port fees.
U.S. Gulf Coast ethane exports were up sharply in September thanks to the startup of new export terminals in Texas. The surge in export volumes contributed to an 8% increase in ethane prices between July and September and a similar jump in the ratio between ethane and natural gas. In today’s RBN blog, we look at how the recent additions to export capacity have impacted prices and review the basics of ethane economics.
The details of a trade deal between the U.S. and China, announced June 26 by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and confirmed by China, remain sparse. Once they are finalized, the requirement for U.S. exporters to obtain a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) license to send ethane to China should be lifted, but the effect on trade flows is already apparent. In today’s RBN blog, we review the impact of the BIS license requirement, the still-pending imposition of fees on vessels owned or operated by China, and the risk that comes with using the energy industry as a bargaining chip in trade talks.
