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


Grande Egitto vessel. Grimaldi adds fourteenth ammonia-ready car carrier to fleet  

Grande Egitto, built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, will operate on the Asia–East Africa trade route.

ABS awards AiP to HD HHI and HD KSOE for ammonia bunkering vessel design. ABS grants design approval for ammonia bunkering vessel from HD HHI and HD KSOE  

Approval in principle covers a 22,000-cbm multi-purpose vessel intended to supply ammonia as marine fuel.

Trenching vessel render. Jan De Nul exercises option for alternative-fuel-capable trenching vessel  

Belgian marine contractor confirms option for a second subsea trenching vessel built on Ulstein's customised design platform.

ABS issues NTQ approval to MODEC and Eld Energy. ABS grants technology qualification approval for FPSO fuel cell system  

MODEC and Eld Energy’s solid oxide fuel cell system moves towards offshore trials after clearing initial ABS review stages.

IMO CCC 12th Session. IMO sub-committee finalises revised methanol fuel safety guidelines  

CCC 12 completes revision of interim methanol fuel guidelines while advancing work on carbon capture and low-flashpoint fuel rules.

Volare Shipping logo. Trafigura spins off VLCC fleet into new listed shipping company  

Volare Shipping established, with eight ammonia-ready vessels on order.

Ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering operation. Japan completes world's first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering to ammonia-fuelled vessel  

Ammonia fuel transferred between ships at Ariake Shipyard ahead of gas carrier’s sea trials.

Lilac Cove vessel. Jiangnan delivers second LPG dual-fuel VLAC in series to Singapore’s EPS  

Lilac Cove, the world’s largest liquid ammonia carrier, joins Ivy Cove as Jiangnan advances its six-ship VLAC programme.

MSC Clelia X naming ceremony. MSC LNG dual-fuel container ship delivered almost a year early  

Chinese shipbuilder hands over sixth 10,300-TEU vessel in series to MSC ahead of contract schedule.

Icebreaking research vessel render. Steel cutting marks start of construction on dual-fuel icebreaking research vessel  

Hanwha Ocean begins building a dual-fuel LNG/MGO icebreaker for the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, due for delivery in 2030.