Venezuela Reopened? Trump, Sanctions, and the Heavy Crude Shock
Release Date: 01/15/2026
Dated Brent rallies but price reversal on the cards
Oil Markets
Dated Brent differential soars to three-year high amid a supply crunch driven by disrupted flows of Kazakhstan’s CPC Blend crude. However, market participants caution that a potentially swift return of CPC Blend outflows could swell European supplies, dragging on the Dated Brent complex. Join Gary Clark, Associate Director of Price Reporting, EMEA Clean Refined Products, as he discusses this and more with Ernest Puey, Senior Price Reporter, Crude Oil, and senior writer Thomas Washington.
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Venezuela Reopened? Trump, Sanctions, and the Heavy Crude Shock
Oil Markets
A sudden shift in US policy has put Venezuela back at the center of global oil markets. US and international oil executives are striking different tones on Venezuela after President Donald Trump said the White House will decide which companies are allowed back into the country’s oil sector following the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Heavy oil price discounts are already reacting to expectations of increased Venezuelan supply. Can Venezuela meaningfully boost production after years of underinvestment? Who benefits from cheaper heavy crude? Join Jeff Mower,...
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Sanctions, tariffs and shifting trade flows: a look at global oil markets in 2026
Oil Markets
Sweeping changes to crude and product flows following sanctions and tariffs, shipping disruptions and questions surrounding China’s demand outlook—oil markets have seen it all in 2025. The year was also a mixed bag for oil investments across the globe amid accelerated push towards clean energy and rising EV usage, while some regions also unveiled concrete plans on refinery expansions. In this special episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Sambit Mohanty, Asia energy editor, John Morley, global director for crude oil, Francesco Di Salvo, global director for refined products, and Jeff...
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Uncertainty around WAF government policy and expected refinery maintenance sees European gasoline markets rally
Oil Markets
In the winter months, demand for gasoline in Europe softens, and stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub begin to thicken. But recent developments in West African government policy and intermittent maintenance at Nigeria’s Dangote refinery have resulted in an unconventionally robust gasoline market, shadowed by an existing tightness in supply. Where have the gasoline markets diverged, and what unusual patterns have we seen in blending economics? In this episode, host Gary Clark is joined by S&P Global Energy reporters Geraint Moody and Matthew Tracey-Cook to discuss these topics.
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The roadmap for the energy sector as it embraces AI
Oil Markets
The adoption of AI among energy and shipping companies is growing steadily. While it's helping to cut operational costs, boost productivity, and reduce emissions, a shortage of skills, data integration complexity, and trust are posing some challenges. In exploration, AI is helping to analyze complex sub-surface data and improve success rates. In midstream logistics, it is helping to optimize complex route planning and lastly; by deploying AI across refinery operations, oil companies are achieving higher yields in high-value fuels while cutting energy use. In this episode, Asia Energy Editor...
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Crude markets react to firm freight rates and Atlantic oversupply
Oil Markets
Physical differentials in the North Sea crude market and wider Atlantic basin have reached multiyear lows amid high freight rates and market length in the region. While high freight rates are often expected in the last quarter of the year, oversupply and market structure have also come into play. In this podcast, Emma Kettley, S&P Global Energy’s associate director, price reporting, is joined by senior crude oil reporters Natasha Tan and George Delaney to dig into how these fundamentals are impacting the North Sea and West African crude markets.
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Fleet constraints, rising rates
Oil Markets
Global tanker markets are riding high as shipowners post strong third-quarter earnings amid bullish forecasts. What’s driving the surge in day rates? Why are newbuilds still lagging even as fleet capacity tightens? How have sanctions reshaped both dirty and clean tanker markets? And could US shipyards stage a comeback in the global shipbuilding race? Join host Jeff Mower as he discusses these and other related issues with Catherine Kellogg and Binish Azhar.
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The final countdown: Europe readies for full Russian LPG ban
Oil Markets
Europe’s 19th sanctions package has promised to shut the door on the last remaining flows of Russian energy still trading into the region, including butane and isobutane that was previously exempted from import bans. From Jan 2026, the new LPG embargo will force lead buyer Poland to find alternatives to Russian supplies, adding support to an already tight European market. Associate Director, Pricing, for EMEA Clean Refined Products Gary Clark joins LPG Pricing Specialist Barbara Fernandez-Pita and London Oil News Reporter Kelly Norways to discuss Polish preparations for the move,...
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Low prices, high stakes in the Caribbean
Oil Markets
The US has ramped up its naval presence in the Caribbean, following several strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coast of major oil producer Venezuela. Yet oil prices have barely budged as Latin American production continues to ramp up. What is the role of Guyana and Argentina’s emerging crudes, and how do flows to destinations like India fit into Trump’s strategy? How are Permian operators responding to sustained low prices? Jeff Mower unpacks how low oil prices play into the Trump administration’s military push in the Caribbean, along with Latin America oil...
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With winter approaching, Asian diesel and jet fuel markets react
Oil Markets
In this Oil Markets podcast, we discuss the outlook for diesel and jet fuel/kerosene demand in Asia in the fourth quarter of 2025. This period is always critical, but as we approach the end of the year, a complex interplay of seasonal patterns, supply constraints, geopolitical developments, and economic factors is shaping the landscape. S&P Global Commodity Insights' market reporters, Ng Mei Huey and Pek Michele join Jonathan Nonis, associate director for clean refined products in APAC to discuss these factors and their impact in this podcast.
info_outlineA sudden shift in US policy has put Venezuela back at the center of global oil markets. US and international oil executives are striking different tones on Venezuela after President Donald Trump said the White House will decide which companies are allowed back into the country’s oil sector following the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Heavy oil price discounts are already reacting to expectations of increased Venezuelan supply. Can Venezuela meaningfully boost production after years of underinvestment? Who benefits from cheaper heavy crude? Join Jeff Mower, Director of Americas Oil News, as he discusses these issues and more with S&P Global Energy oil policy reporters Kate Winston and Eamonn Brennan, and Patrick Harrington, Americas oil markets manager.