Wed 25 Oct 2017, 08:47 GMT

Oil and fuel oil hedging market update


By the Oil Desk at Freight Investor Services.



Commentary

Brent closed up $0.96 last night to $58.33 and WTI closed at $52.47, up $0.57. Well, quite a rally we have on our hands, don't we? The question of course on everyone's lips is whether we can break through that magical $60 per bbl in time for every US oil producer to order a specially selected, organic, free range, bronze turkey with extra truffles for Thanksgiving. What am I talking about "order"? Probably buy a turkey farm, then use the cooked carcass to light up a Monte Cristo. I'm going to say this until I'm blue in the face, but with sustained rallies, the only real people who are benefitting are the US producers. I read yesterday that Utah seems to be the next state where the oil rush will gravitate towards, and the regulators of Utah are trying to streamline the issuance of licences. Wednesday is here, so another set of API data last night caused the market to celebrate, then commiserate at the same time. I think this week could be the last week where the last effects of hurricane season could perhaps skew numbers so I would err on the side of caution as always when stats are published. We had another "do whatever it takes" plea last night from the Saudi Oil minister yesterday, and I have to take my hat off to him. Since last year, the Saudi-led production cut has yielded a 25pct price increase. I don't care whether you live under a bridge and don't know how to spell - 25% is a good return. I don't see him giving up either, but as with anything, change is round the corner so keep your eyes on every OPEC minister over the coming weeks.

Fuel Oil Market (October 24)

The front crack opened at -7.65, strengthening to -7.60, before weakening to -7.80. The Cal 18 was valued at -8.25

Cash premiums of Asia's 180-cst high-sulphur fuel oil rose for a fifth straight session on Tuesday to a one-month high boosted by a surge in buying interest for the lower viscosity fuel oil that is typically characterised by low trade volumes.

The strong buying interest for 180-cst cargoes lifted cash premiums of the fuel to 97 cents a tonne, its highest since Sept. 21

The volume of 180-cst fuel oil changing hands on Tuesday is the highest daily traded volume for the lower viscosity fuel since at least the start of the year.

Economic Data/Events: (UK times)

* 12pm: U.S. MBA mortgage applications for week ended Oct. 20 (prior 3.6%)

* 1:30pm: U.S. durable goods orders for Sept., prelim., est. 1% (prior 2%)

* 3pm: U.S. new home sales for Sept., est. 554k (prior 560k)

* 3:30pm: EIA weekly oil inventory report

* Today:

** Singapore International Energy Week, 3rd day of 5, including Asia Clean Energy Summit

** Africa Oil Week, 3rd day of 5

** OPEC-EU dialogue meeting in Brussels

** Genscape weekly ARA crude stockpiles report

** Africa Oil Week, 2nd day of 5

** Genscape weekly ARA crude stockpiles report

** Russia Urals full month loading program for November

Singapore 380 cSt

Nov17 - 338.25 / 340.25

Dec17 - 336.75 / 338.75

Jan18 - 335.00 / 337.00

Feb18 - 333.50 / 335.50

Mar18 - 332.25 / 334.25

Apr18 - 331.00 / 333.00

Q1-18 - 333.50 / 335.50

Q2-18 - 330.00 / 332.00

Q3-18 - 326.00 / 328.50

Q4-18 - 322.00 / 324.50

CAL18 - 327.00 / 330.00

CAL19 - 296.00 / 301.00

CAL20 - 266.00 / 273.00

Singapore 180 cSt

Nov17 - 343.25 / 345.25

Dec17 - 342.00 / 344.00

Jan18 - 341.00 / 343.00

Feb18 - 339.75 / 341.75

Mar18 - 338.75 / 340.75

Apr18 - 337.75 / 339.75

Q1-18 - 339.75 / 341.75

Q2-18 - 336.75 / 338.75

Q3-18 - 332.50 / 335.00

Q4-18 - 329.50 / 332.00

CAL18 - 333.75 / 336.75

CAL19 - 304.75 / 309.75

CAL20 - 275.75 / 282.75

Rotterdam 380 cSt

Nov17 319.25 / 321.25

Dec17 315.00 / 317.00

Jan18 314.50 / 316.50

Feb18 314.25 / 316.25

Mar18 314.00 / 316.00

Apr18 313.50 / 315.50

Q1-18 314.25 / 316.25

Q2-18 312.75 / 314.75

Q3-18 308.75 / 311.25

Q4-18 302.00 / 304.50

CAL18 308.75 / 311.75

CAL19 276.75 / 281.75

CAL20 246.00 / 253.00


American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) logo. ABS introduces nuclear-ready notation for marine and offshore assets  

The classification society has released what it describes as an industry-first notation to support future nuclear conversion of vessels and offshore assets.

AiP handover ceremony for NEXTGEN Energy Hub (NGEH) design. ABS grants approval in principle for Seatrium’s NEXTGEN Energy Hub design  

The hub concept integrates ammonia bunkering, power generation and electric vessel charging in a single unit.

Jumbo Maritime crew aboard vessel. Jumbo orders two methanol-ready L-Class heavy lift vessels from Dajin Heavy Industry  

Dutch heavy lift specialist Jumbo signs newbuilding contract for two 25,000-dwt vessels.

China flag. Zhoushan completes first bonded bunker operation at Majishan port area  

The operation marks full fuel supply coverage across all general cargo terminals in Zhoushan's port system.

US dollar banknotes. Port of Long Beach launches $1m methanol bunkering challenge for oceangoing vessels  

A $1m prize aims to kick-start commercial methanol bunkering at one of North America's busiest ports.

Core Power, Athlos Energy, Deon Policy Institute and ABS logos. Greece floating nuclear study finds no fundamental barriers to implementation  

A PESTLE assessment of floating nuclear power plants in Greece identifies framework gaps, not feasibility barriers.

Northern Pathliner alongside Bergen LNG vessel. Molgas completes LNG cool-down and bunkering for Northern Pathliner at Northern Lights terminal in Norway  

Operation carried out at Øygarden facility, with K Line and Integr8 Fuels in the supply chain.

Rendering of a G2 Ocean OHGC vessel. G2 Ocean expands fleet with six future-fuel ready gantry crane vessels  

Open hatch specialist adds vessels and jet sail technology as part of a broad fleet renewal programme.

CMA CGM Adventure vessel at Port of Mombasa. LNG-powered CMA CGM Adventure makes first call at the Port of Mombasa  

Kenya Ports Authority receives its first large LNG-fuelled container vessel.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Maritime trio shapes IMO safety guidelines for ammonia as marine fuel  

Real-world operational experience feeds directly into new IMO ammonia fuel safety framework.