European Union countries on Friday backed looser rules on filling gas storage ahead of winter, amid concerns that the bloc’s current binding regime inflates gas prices. The EU’s gas storage rules were introduced in 2022 to ensure EU countries had a buffer of stored fuel during winter, after Russia...
General Energy News
Ivory Coast seeks future as West African refining hub with new 170,000 b/d plant
Ivory Coast refining capacity could grow to four times its current throughput under plans by SIR, its state-owned refiner, as the country has sought to develop into a leading energy hub in the West African region. Speaking at ARDA Week 2025 in Cape Town April 9, Raphael Souanga, Director of...
Asia Distillates: Diesel cash diffs at one-month high; Vietnam demand emerges
Asia’s middle distillates markets were thinly discussed on the open trading window on Friday, though spot premiums extended gains, while key northeast Asian refiners were gradually selling May spot cargoes and some demand emerged from Vietnam. May spot activity was a key focus for the week, with at...
US natgas output and demand to hit record highs in 2025, EIA says
U.S. natural gas output and demand will both rise to record highs in 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). EIA projected dry gas production will rise from 103.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2024 to 105.3 bcfd in 2025 and 107.1...
Russia’s idle oil refining capacity estimated up 33% in April from previous plan
Russia’s offline primary oil refining capacity in April was revised up by a third from the previous plan for this month to 2.84 million metric tons, according to Reuters calculations based on data from industry sources, amid stoppage extensions. This is compared to 3.79 million tons of idle...
Asia Distillates Gasoil up slightly; Taiwanese refiner offers May supply
Asia’s gasoil market firmed slightly amid higher-priced bids, while a Taiwanese refiner kicked off its May sales. Window trade remained quiet, though stronger 10ppm sulphur gasoil bids emerged for loading dates in late-April and early-May. The 10ppm sulphur gasoil cash differential (GO10-SIN-DIF)...
US natgas prices climb 2% on lower daily output, rising LNG export flows
U.S. natural gas futures climbed about 2% on Tuesday on a drop in daily output and near record gas flows to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants. That increase came despite forecasts for lower demand for gas over the next two weeks and worries U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs could reduce...
Asia Distillates: Thin window activity persists; May key refiner sales yet to be seen
Asia’s middle distillates markets were thinly discussed in the open trading window, with prices taking further beating, while May refiner spot cargoes were yet to be in sight. Paper market prices will probably be moving in tandem with the crude price movements in the near-term, two trade sources...
REFINERY NEWS ROUNDUP: Upgrades in focus in Middle East
This is an excerpt. For the full Refinery News Roundup, subscribe to Platts Connect. Refinery upgrades have been in focus in the Middle East with progress reported at plants in Iran and Iraq. With the addition of the current Meesan and Baiji expansions, Iraq’s refining nominal capacity will add up...
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/refinery-news-roundup-upgrades-in-focus-in-middle-east/
US natural gas prices fall 4% on reduced flows to LNG export plants, lower demand forecasts
U.S. natural gas futures dropped about 4% on Friday on a decline in daily liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and forecasts for mild weather and lower demand over the next two weeks than previously expected. That price decline occurred despite a decline in output so far this month. Gas futures for...