The war in Ukraine has penetrated global crude oil and product markets, and producers, traders, shippers, refiners, and consumers are adapting to shifting crude and product flows and pricing. Wood Mackenzie analysts noted five ways the war could change oil markets.
Volumes
First, very little Russian crude and product volumes have been kept from the market. Oil, like gas and coal, is exempted from official sanctions, though the US, Japan, and South Korea have imposed import bans. Many countries and companies are aiming to reduce their dependence on Russian crude and products by end 2022.
“Around 1 million b/d out of total Russian crude exports of 4.6 million b/d is now self-sanctioned. These are mostly Urals barrels destined for European refineries. Volumes will increase to 1.2 million b/d when TotalEnergies’ sources alternative feedstock for its Leuna refinery in Germany, currently served by a dedicated pipeline from Russia. Separately, some of the 1 million b/d of diesel produced in Russian refineries and exported (again, mainly headed for European markets) is also self-sanctioned,” the analysts said.
“Traders are encountering difficulties dealing in Russian volumes, not least credit and logistics – some shipowners won’t allow their vessels to dock in Russian ports. Most of the crude and diesel, though, is still getting to the market, according to our waterborne data. Buyers who have self-sanctioned are still bound to buy the oil under contract, some of which could take months to wind down. Meantime, they will likely reduce contracted offtake to minimum volumes and the rest will need to be sold in the spot market. Spot volumes of Urals crude and Russian diesel are only going to increase over time,” they continued.
Differentials
Second, large swings in crude price differentials appeared in the last 5 weeks as refiners look for alternative feedstock.
Urals and Dubai crudes are typically priced at much the same levels in their regional markets, reflecting their similar quality. Brent, the global crude oil price marker, has historically commanded a premium of $2-3/bbl to both. However, Dubai is now trading at a discount of $10/bbl to Brent while the Urals discount to Brent has blown out to $30/bbl.
“The opening of such a massive differential between Urals and Dubai crudes reflects the huge risk premium the market requires to transact on Russian cargoes,” said the analysts.
Refiners
Third, current market conditions look bullish for refiners. Self-sanctioning triggered the diversion of Russian diesel exports destined for Europe into other regions. Europe suddenly faced a shortage of diesel in the main ARA (Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Antwerp) market, where storage volumes were already low at winter’s end. Diesel prices spiked upwards to pull volume into the European market and pushed up refining margins. That effect has rippled out across the world, and most refiners should benefit, WoodMac said.
“Our global composite refining margin is averaging $15/bbl in March, five times above the annual average for 2021 and among the highest monthly values on record. There are regional variations, but Asia and US refining markets have each experienced margin expansion of a similar scale. High natural gas and carbon emissions costs may take the gloss off European margins. And in all regions, volatile and complicated trading conditions could also dampen profits,” said the analysts.
“Oil and gas companies’ leverage to margins varies depending on geographical exposure and individual refining assets. Our corporate downstream modelling suggests that at today’s refining margins, the Supermajors could generate more cash flow from refining in 2022 second quarter alone than they have had in an average year since 2016. That’s on top of the record upstream cash flow we expect. It’s rare that both upstream and refining margins are at record margins simultaneously,” they continued.
Demand
Fourth, high prices pose a threat to global oil demand and the longer these prices stay high, the bigger the threat. The first signs will appear at the gasoline pump, and motorists are already feeling the increase. Diesel demand is less price elastic, with consumption weighted to distribution sectors as well as industry.
Outlook
Fifth, WoodMac analysts don’t expect a return to the free flow of Russian crude and product exports until Ukraine’s independent nation status is resolved.
“Given the multiple challenges, it will take a few months for the oil market to find a new equilibrium. It’s already adapting – Urals crude that’s not wanted in Europe will flow to Asia, Middle East crudes and US WTI are increasingly heading to Europe, and Russian diesel exports could find a home in other diesel-deficit markets such as Africa and even Latin America,” they said.
“The reality, though, is that the global crude and product system has suddenly become more complicated, less efficient, and higher cost. This will be reflected in prices. A new market is emerging for cargoes of Russian origin. The price reporting agencies are already providing quotations for Russian products, with Russian diesel at discounts of more than $20/tonne.”
What’s the outlook for oil prices? “Brent has been extremely volatile for 5 weeks trading between $99/bbl on 23 February, the day before the invasion, up to a high of $139/bbl intra-day in early March. At [Apr. 8] price of $108/bbl, we reckon there’s arguably a ‘Russian premium’ of up to $20/bbl in Brent. The uncertainty surrounding the war and the potential responses of the various governments is likely to remain for some time.”