Mon 6 Nov 2017, 09:28 GMT

Oil and fuel oil hedging market update


By the Oil Desk at Freight Investor Services.



Brent closed up $1.45 on Friday to $62.07 and WTI closed at $55.64, up $1.10. Wow, I can't keep up. Bulls everywhere, it's like being in Pamplona. But how much longer will it last? Well, judging by the ferocity of this climb over the last month it really is anyone's guess. The last month we have seen a 11% rise on Brent. From the same time a year ago, the price of WTI crude has climbed 25%, while Brent has jumped by 34%. Nice. What is actually causing this rally though? A drop in US oil rigs? Well yes, they dropped last week but they are up 329 from a year prior. US oil production is now 9.5mn bpd, 1mnbpd higher than last year. Demand? Well, yes, China's oil demand has increased owing to a rise in SPR buying, but overall product demand is pretty negligible year on year. Stocks being drawn? Well fuel oil stocks in ARA are up 137% since last year. 137%!! I really don't know actually why we are rallying. And I'm not sure Goldman's do either. Goldman's attribute the current rally to something rather mundane. Cycles. And not one of those new fancy carbon fibre road-going cycles. A "maturing business cycle". I can see us very quickly turning in to a technical market, one which is devoid of any emotion or fundamental driven headlines. Watch the critical support and resistance points with caution.

Fuel Oil Market (November 3)

The front crack opened at -7.55, weakening to -7.60, before strengthening to -7.50. The Cal 18 was valued at -7.55.

Cash premiums for Asia's 380-cst high-sulphur fuel oil cargoes rose to a near one-month high on Friday amid higher deal values when compared to the previous session. Bids for 380-cst fuel oil cargoes were higher relative to Thursday in the Platts windowbut still failed to attract many suppliers, keeping traded volumes of physical fuel oil low on Friday

Meanwhile, the front-month 180-cst fuel oil crack to Dubai crude widened its discount further from a near sixweek high seen on Wednesday as rising inventories in key storage hubs weighed. Fuel oil stocks in ARA oil hub rose for a second straight week, up 2%, or 22,000 tonnes, to 1.356 million tonnes in the week to Nov. 2. Compared to last year, ARA inventories are up 137% and are well above the five-year average of 851,000 tonnes for this time of year.

Economic Data/Events: (UK times)

* New York Fed Executive Vice President Simon Potter speaks at a closed-press ECB workshop on Implementing Monetary Policy with the Balance Sheet, Frankfurt

* Bloomberg forecast of U.S. waterborne LPG exports

* Bloomberg proprietary forecast of Cushing crude inventory change plus weekly analyst survey of crude, gasoline, distillates inventories before Wednesday EIA report

* Platts gasoline, naphtha and LPG conference, Rotterdam, 1st day of 2

Singapore 380 cSt

Dec17 - 365.75 / 367.75

Jan18 - 363.50 / 365.50

Feb18 - 361.50 / 363.50

Mar18 - 359.75 / 361.75

Apr18 - 358.00 / 360.00

May18 - 356.50 / 358.50

Q1-18 - 361.50 / 363.50

Q2-18 - 356.25 / 358.25

Q3-18 - 350.25 / 352.75

Q4-18 - 344.25 / 346.75

CAL18 - 352.00 / 355.00

CAL19 - 316.75 / 321.75

Singapore 180 cSt

Dec17 - 370.50 / 372.50

Jan18 - 369.00 / 371.00

Feb18 - 367.00 / 369.00

Mar18 - 365.75 / 367.75

Apr18 - 364.50 / 366.50

May18 - 363.25 / 365.25

Q1-18 - 367.25 / 369.25

Q2-18 - 362.75 / 364.75

Q3-18 - 356.75 / 359.25

Q4-18 - 351.75 / 354.25

CAL18 - 358.75 / 361.75

CAL19 - 325.75 / 330.75

Rotterdam 380 cSt

Dec17 345.25 / 347.25

Jan18 343.25 / 345.25

Feb18 342.25 / 344.25

Mar18 341.25 / 343.25

Apr18 340.25 / 342.25

May18 339.00 / 341.00

Q1-18 342.25 / 344.25

Q2-18 339.00 / 341.00

Q3-18 333.50 / 336.00

Q4-18 324.75 / 327.25

CAL18 334.00 / 337.00

CAL19 295.00 / 300.00

BP  

Jurgen Gerdes, WinGD. WinGD signs global service agreement for TMS Cardiff Gas LNG carrier newbuilds  

WinGD will support six dual-fuel engines on three new LNG carriers for the Athens-based operator throughout their operational lives.

Yangze LNG 01 vessel. Yangzijiang Xinfu delivers first 175,000-cbm LNG carrier built by Chinese private shipyard  

Vessel features two dual-fuel MAN B&W 5G70ME-C10.5-GA-EGR engines fitted with cryogenic units.

Kaguya 200th ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation. LNG bunkering vessel Kaguya completes 200th ship-to-ship operation in Japan  

K Line’s joint venture vessel reaches milestone in Mikawa Bay.

MFM Nicole vessel. Synergy Marine adds dual-fuel LPG carrier to managed fleet  

MFM Nicole joins Synergy’s gas carrier portfolio as owners weigh fuel choices ahead of MEPC 85 negotiations.

CMA CGM Notre Dame vessel. DSV to use CMA CGM’s ACT+ solution to slash shipping emissions  

Danish firm targets 12,000-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions over two years through the use of UCOME-based biofuels.

Peninsula 2026 graduate cohort. Peninsula welcomes 2026 graduate cohort across global bunkering network  

Bunker firm brings new graduates into roles spanning Houston, Singapore, Gibraltar, Monaco and Las Palmas.

Mathias Krogsgard, Malik Supply. Malik Supply appoints Mathias Krogsgård as bunker trader  

Danish bunker firm adds trader with export and technology background to growing team.

Jeroen De Vos, Peninsula. Biofuel adoption in shipping shifts from debate to delivery, says Peninsula's Jeroen de Vos  

Marine biofuels have moved from pilot projects to routine fuel strategy, argues IBIA vice-chair.

KEPCO E&C and KR signing. KEPCO E&C and Korean Register of Shipping to collaborate on marine SMR development  

Korean firms to develop technical standards and certification pathways for the BANDI offshore small modular reactor.

Ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Sagunto. Peninsula completes first LNG bunkering operation at Sagunto  

Levante LNG bunkering vessel supplies K Line car carrier in landmark delivery.