Refined oil, a crucial commodity derived through fractional distillation of crude oil, holds significant importance in the global energy market. Recently, the commodity market has witnessed a notable surge in the export of refined products from the United States. This surge comes as US refineries reach full capacity following a heavier-than-normal maintenance season. Simultaneously, ongoing refinery downtime in other regions, like Latin America and Asia, should persist through August, further bolstering the demand for US refined products in the international market.
Refined Oil: US Refineries Revving Up Production
After experiencing an intensive maintenance season, US refineries are in the final stages of ramping up to full production rates. The successful restarts of these refineries have surpassed similar efforts from refineries around the world. As of July 24, the United States is witnessing record-breaking exports of clean products, averaging an impressive 83.45 million barrels or 2.692 million barrels per day (b/d). The US achieved its highest refined oil exports since October 2018, showcasing a remarkable surge in its commodity market capacity.
Rising US Distillate Exports
The S&P Global Commodities at Sea data reveals that US distillate exports have consistently risen. For the week ended July 21, these exports averaged 1.6 million b/d, a notable increase from the previous week’s figure of 1.4 million b/d (as reported by the EIA for the week ended July 14). The growing demand from Europe significantly contributes to this surge in distillate exports. The US’s growing export of barrels to Europe cements its status as a significant force in the global oil trade.
In conclusion, the commodity market is witnessing a substantial boost in the export of refined oil from the United States. US refineries are at full capacity, surpassing global counterparts after maintenance, leading to record-high clean product exports. Additionally, the ongoing refinery downtime in other regions and the rising demand for US distillates in Europe have created a favorable environment for robust export demand.
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