After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a Masters in Financial Management in 2022, Liz took her talents to Shell Trading. At Shell, she worked as a crude trade analyst for the Gulf Coast Bulk desk, managing daily, quarterly, and annual P&L reporting, exposure hedging, and export analysis. Liz also worked as a commercial operator for the Offshore Lease desk, where she managed 5 terminals and coordinated the scheduling of gathering and inland barges transporting crude oil throughout Louisiana’s waterways. In her spare time, Liz enjoys traveling and exploring caves across the southern US. Her goals outside of work include getting cave rescue certified and scuba certified. If you ever jam out with Liz, you will quickly learn she has been a Swiftie since the 6th grade, but also has The Beatles, Hozier, and Evanescence on repeat. As a classical music lover, Liz enjoys attending the Houston Symphony, and always dresses with a theme due to her passion for fashion.
Posts by Liz Dicken
Running on Reserve: Crude Oil in the SPR Plummets to a Four-Decade Low
According to the EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) released this morning, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) recorded its 13th consecutive weekly draw for the week ended June 19, reducing stocks to levels not seen since 1983.
Crude Export Demand Remains Steady Despite Weather and Market Headwinds
U.S. Gulf Coast (USGC) crude exports remained remarkably resilient last week despite a sharp decline in crude prices and weather-related disruptions along the Texas coast.
U.S. Crude Exports Dip to 4.7 MMb/d
U.S. Gulf Coast crude exports fell to 4.7 MMb/d for the week ending June 12 (far right of chart below), but still remain above the 2026 year-to-date (YTD) average of 4.5 MMb/d. Europe reclaimed its position as the primary destination for U.S.
Crude Inventories Continue Decline as Refiners Ramp Up for Summer Demand
Based on data from the EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR), a decline in both imports and exports alongside an increase in refinery runs necessitated a draw in commercial crude inventories for the seventh consecutive week.
High Texas-Louisiana Co-Loadings Support Another Week of 5+ MMb/d Exports
Crude exports out of the Gulf Coast averaged 5.1 MMb/d (far right of chart below) for the week ended June 5. As discussed in our Crude Voyager Report, Louisiana posted its strongest week since August 2023, averaging 864 Mb/d of exports. The increase was driven by elevated activity at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), which loaded its highest weekly volume since November 2024.