Tanker buildup eases after Houston spill: Update

: Chemicals, Crude oil, Freight, LPG, Oil products, Petrochemicals
19/03/25

Updates with lifting of some vessel movement restrictions.

Traffic has slowly begun to flow after dozens of ships were stuck along the Houston Ship Channel for a third consecutive day as the US Coast Guard continued to clean a chemical spill from Intercontinental Terminals' (ITC) storage facility in Deer Park, Texas.

The closure of a section of the waterway prevented the passage of 62 vessels — 31 trying to come into the port and 31 trying to depart — including oil tankers, LPG tankers, and dry bulkers, the Coast Guard told Argus today.

Included in that group are seven oil tankers: the Eagle San Juan, Stolt Effort, Stolt Teal, Bow Performer, Sea Ruby, and the Silver Rotterdam; and three LPG tankers: Legend Prosperity, Albert, and Sumire Gas, according to Argus vessel tracking. These vessels are located to the west of the spill, near Tucker's Bayou.

A section of the ship channel from Tucker's Bayou to light 116 has been closed since 22 March, when a mix of chemicals and fire retarding foam spilled into the water when a dike surrounding storage tanks that had been burning earlier in the week gave way. A spill cleanup effort is underway using dozens of ships.

Vessel traffic has begun to loosen up slightly today. The US Coast Guard re-opened the contaminated area to vessel movement at 3:30pm ET today, for daytime transits only. One ship has moved through the spill area inbound today, while another has been boarded inbound, according to shipping agency Moran Shipping. Another vessel sailed outbound, passed the spill area, and headed to a decontamination berth.

Oil facilities inside the spill area include Houston Fuel Oil, Jacintoport, Vopak, and ITC. A number of refineries, including LyondellBasell's 268,000 b/d facility and Shell's 340,000 b/d refinery, were also effectively cut off from waterborne deliveries by the channel closure.

The Houston Pilots plan to prioritize outbound sailings from the port, once ships are deemed able to move through the spill area without contamination, said Moran.

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24/12/24

Viewpoint: US ethane to be oversupplied for 2025

Houston, 24 December (Argus) — US ethane production growth will likely continue to outpace exports and domestic demand into the first half of 2025, keeping US inventories of the natural gas liquid in record territory until export capacity expands late next year. Ethane, which is widely used for ethylene production at US steam crackers, has emerged as the lowest-cost petrochemical feedstock worldwide, spurring infrastructure investments in Asia, particularly China, to receive US ethane exports. Still, US ethane production from gas processing continues to outpace the country's ability to ship it into demand centers in Europe, India and China. Mont Belvieu, Texas, EPC ethane spot prices fell relative to natural gas in 2024 due to record ethane production, leaving ethane stocks oversupplied entering 2025. EPC ethane's premium to its fuel value in Nymex natural gas at the Henry Hub averaged 3.25¢/USG during 2024, 54pc lower than in 2023. It also averaged a 1.75¢/USG premium to its fuel content in the second half of 2024, 77.5pc lower than the same period last year, as spot ethane prices fell on ample supplies. Cheaper natural gas in the Permian basin spurred higher rates of ethane recovery from the natural gas stream and led to a disproportionate rise in ethane production. Spot prices for natural gas at the Waha hub in west Texas across the year averaged -$0.10/mmBtu, with prices remaining negative for eight of nine months from March-November. Prices were consistently positive in 2023, averaging $1.66/mmBtu across the year. Negative Permian gas prices allow ethane recovery from the gas stream at a much lower cost. US natural gas production in 2024 is poised to be steady to slightly down, having averaged 3.14tcf in monthly production from January to September, according to US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Meanwhile, ethane production is set to reach a record high for the 11th consecutive year, with monthly production averaging 2.78mn b/d over the same period, up from a 2.65mn b/d average over the whole of 2023. Waha gas prices turned positive in the second half of November and spiked to a multi-month high of $2.56/mmBtu on 2 December, pushing ethane prices to a 13-month high of 25.625¢/USG the following day as downstream buyers bid higher to fulfill contracts for the month . Ethane's rally was brief, however, with Mont Belvieu prices falling to 22.5¢/USG over the next week even as Waha climbed further. Record ethane inventories Ethane inventories hit record highs in 2024, according to EIA data, including a peak of 80.89mn bl in July, 79.5mn bl in August and 77.23mn bl in September. Mont Belvieu ethane has also been in backwardation in December, with January prices at a 2-4c discount to prompt December prices, encouraging selling interest. Sustained cold weather and additional surges in natural gas spot prices may further draw down ethane supplies as higher volumes are rejected into the gas stream, market participants suggest, but as it stands, ethane supplies are likely to remains at or near record highs for the first part of the new year. In the EIA's most recent Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the agency projects ethane inventories to end 2024 at 74.1mn bl , which would be a year-end record following a seasonal draw down, and 12.6pc higher than a year earlier. In that same report, including projections for the fourth quarter, domestic consumption of ethane is estimated to be 2.26mn b/d in 2024, up by about 98,000 b/d on the year, and net exports are estimated at 483,000 b/d, up by around 13,000 b/d, whereas production of ethane from natural gas processing is expected to be 113,000 b/d higher at 2.77mn b/d. Playing catch-up If projections are accurate, 2024's record end-of-year ethane supply will exceed the peak previously set in 2020 of 69.6mn bl, based on EIA data. The first VLEC loadings at Energy Transfer's 180,000 b/d Nederland, Texas, export terminal began in January of 2021, resulting in year-end inventories reaching a relative trough in 2022 at 53.55mn bl before rebounding by nearly 50pc in the last two years. Domestic ethane consumption growth has kept pace with or fallen behind growth in production since 2020. Conversely, ethane exports in 2021 jumped by 98,000 b/d to 369,000 b/d on the opening of the Nederland terminal and grew more slowly in 2022 and 2023. Exports of US ethane are limited by infrastructure at receiving terminals abroad and the specialized vessels required to ship the lighter feedstock. Overseas markets are gearing up to take ethane imports over the next few years , and US ethane inventories are likely to continue building ahead of of an expansion to domestic export infrastructure as US production grows further. Enterprise's Neches River export terminal in Beaumont, Texas, is the next scheduled US expansion and is set to complete its first phase in the third quarter of 2025 , adding 120,000 b/d of ethane export capacity. Completion of the second phase in the first half of 2026 would take this capacity to a total of 180,000 b/d. The project, if it remains on track, should curtail ethane inventory growth at the back end of 2025. Until then, abundant supply probably will continue to weigh on spot prices, and the first half of 2025 may see ethane prices fall further, both outright and relative to natural gas, especially since the EIA's outlook also forecasts gas prices to rise through the winter. By Joseph Barbour Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: US BD demand awaits 1Q rebound as risks loom

24/12/24

Viewpoint: US BD demand awaits 1Q rebound as risks loom

Houston, 24 December (Argus) — US demand for butadiene (BD) is expected to increase in January, but buyer sentiment for the remainder of the first quarter remains uncertain. Inventory restocking in January is expected to draw down excess supply and provide near-term price support, according to market participants. Derivative manufacturers aim to rebuild inventories following earlier-than-normal destocking initiatives this year. Many buyers employ standard inventory control management strategies to avoid paying higher end-of-year inventory taxes, particularly in Texas. Others cut costs to improve year-end financial statements. Domestic demand in February and March is less clear, as market participants question whether the market will rebound from persistently low demand at the end of 2024. US BD prices on a contract basis fell by 12pc during the fourth quarter , owing to weak demand and oversupply. Demand was depressed by BD consumer turnarounds in October, seasonal slowdowns between November-December and trade pressures tied to derivative imports. US tire shipments this year are expected to rise by 2.1pc to 338.9mn units, surpassing the record set in 2021, according to the US Tire Manufacturers Association. However, market participants along with US trade data reference a jump in tire imports from Asia-Pacific. Both Bridgestone and Goodyear have said low-cost tire imports and structural changes in segment profitability across the Americas are eroding their market share, fueling capacity rationalization, asset sell-offs and plant closures in the region. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is another segment at risk of stronger competition from low-cost, Asia-origin imports. Ineos Styrolution plans to permanently shut down its ABS plant in Addyston, Ohio, in 2025 because the facility cannot compete with imported material. "Over the past few years, we have seen the ABS market become increasingly competitive, particularly with growing competition from overseas imports," Ineos Styrolution chief executive Steve Harrington said in late October. Protectionist trade policies are likely to be a feature of president-elect Donald Trump's second administration, potentially altering business investment decisions and durable goods trade flows. Even if demand does not improve, planned maintenance in the first half of 2025 is expected to tighten BD supplies. A heavy turnaround cycle for steam crackers will concentrate in the first and second quarters, constraining availability of feedstock crude C4. One integrated US Gulf coast producer plans to enforce BD allocations while its assets are offline for planned maintenance. A separate, non-integrated producer has not announced BD sales controls, based on feedback from its customers. This same BD supplier was short on feedstock supplies for parts of this year, with the crude C4 merchant market illiquid in North America. A third producer has scheduled a cracker turnaround starting in January, but no indications emerged that would limit term volumes from its BD unit. Reduced BD supply during cracker maintenance is likely to pull volumes away from the export market until the second half of 2025. Export spot cargoes in the fourth quarter more than doubled from the third quarter, serving as a critical outlet to clear the domestic market of surplus BD supplies, even as lower export prices pressured US margins. By Joshua Himelfarb Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: US Gulf high-octane component prices to rise

24/12/24

Viewpoint: US Gulf high-octane component prices to rise

Houston, 24 December (Argus) — Cash prices of high-octane gasoline blending components in the US Gulf coast are likely to rise in 2025 after a year of declines as lower refining capacity starts to thin stocks. Alkylate and reformate cash prices and differentials have been lower over the course of 2024, in part from weaker refining margins. The lower margins are reflected in the region's crack spreads, which narrowed to $12.94/USG on 19 December from $18.67/USG a year earlier, as abundant supply in the region met weak demand . Inventories in the region have also been lower over the course of the year. Stocks in the region fell in November by 2pc from a year earlier to an average 29.75mn bl. US Gulf coast crack spreads have been declining steadily since 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) November Short-Term Energy Outlook, brought on by lower overall product demand, especially for gasolin e . But the EIA expects spreads to hold steady next year, even with a decrease in refining capacity, potentially supporting prices for high-octane components. The upcoming year will also bring a significant refinery closure to the region, which should reduce production and raise cash prices of components such as alkylate and reformate. LyondellBasell's closure of its 264,000 b/d Houston, Texas, refinery is scheduled to start in January. The refinery's fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC), which converts vacuum gasoil primarily into gasoline blendstocks, is expected to be shut in February, followed by a complete end to crude refining by the end of the first quarter. US total refining capacity should fall to 17.9mn b/d by the end of 2025, according to the EIA, 400,000 b/d less than at the end of 2024, with the lower production leading to price increases. Although the LyondellBasell closing should eventually give crack spreads in the region a boost, some in the industry do not expect a return to pre-pandemic levels of refining margins in the immediate future. CVR Energy chief executive David Lamp said in November the company needed "to see additional refining capacity rationalization in both the US and globally" for crack spreads to gain ground. An increase in consumer demand for gasoline would also support a rise in cash prices and differentials for high-octane components. But the EIA in December forecast consumption nationwide would rise in 2025 by only 10,000 b/d, or 0.1pc, to 8.95mn b/d. By Jason Metko Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: European HSFO supply to stay short

24/12/24

Viewpoint: European HSFO supply to stay short

London, 24 December (Argus) — A sustained reduction in global supply should keep European higher-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) prices and margins elevated in 2025. European HSFO differentials against the front-month Ice Brent crude futures contract briefly moved to a premium in October 2024, when a fall in production coincided with strengthening demand for high-sulphur marine fuel. A fire at a crude distillation unit in September severely cut output at Motor Oil Hellas' 180,000 b/d Corinth refinery in Greece, a key HSFO bunker producer in the Mediterranean region. The possibility of sudden drops in output at refineries will underpin HSFO margins in 2025, assuming Europe maintains its ban on imports of Russian oil products. Europe imported sour fuel oil from a variety of other countries in 2024 — Iraq emerged as the largest single supplier of high-sulphur residual product, according to Kpler , accounting for about a third of the region's 5.7mn t of imports. Europe's HSFO stocks will come under indirect pressure next year from falling fuel oil output in Russia. Additional upgrading capacity at Russian refineries means output from the world's top fuel oil supplier has been dropping year-on-year. Vortexa data show nearly 37mn t of Russian fuel oil has arrived at non-Russian ports this year, 12pc lower than in 2023. Although Europe cannot take any of this, the fall means less to go around globally and this has a knock-on effect on European supply. If middle-distillate crack spreads stay relatively lacklustre in 2025, appetite for higher-sulphur straight run feedstocks will probably be subdued. This could allow for excess sour fuel oil to find its way into the marine fuels market, where demand for HSFO has been strong. Tankers opting to avoid the risk of being attacked by Yemen-based Houthi militants in the Red Sea are adding weeks to their journey times, and have been looking to HSFO rather than very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) to keep their bunker costs down. If longer shipping routes remain popular in 2025, demand for HSFO should stay strong. The Emissions Control Area (ECA) that will cover the Mediterranean Sea from 1 May 2025 could dampen buying interest for 3.5pc sulphur marine fuels. A sulphur scrubber can undergo more wear and tear if it is made to reduce a vessel's HSFO emission level to 0.1pc, in line with the ECA, rather than to the current limit of 0.5pc. This increases rates at which the scrubber needs to be replaced, making it uneconomical to install one. Mid-range sulphur fuel oils are now garnering interest from Mediterranean-based bunker buyers as a workaround. LSSR As the ECA comes into force, demand for the sweetest grades of low-sulphur straight-run (LSSR) fuel oil is likely to intensify from those who buy marine fuels for vessels not fitted with scrubbers. Demand for 0.1-0.2pc sulphur straight-run fuel oil has been high in 2024, reinforcing competition between blenders and refiners for Algerian LSSR. Exports of Algerian LSSR were 1.28mn t in the year to 20 December 2024, lower by 38pc from year-earlier levels and by 65pc from the same period in 2022, but global supply was somewhat balanced by output from Nigeria's new 650,000 b/d Dangote refinery. It exported 870,000t of LSSR in 2024, of a reportedly similar grade to the Algerian product according to data from Vortexa. Most Nigerian cargoes exported in 2024 were used for blending, according to information gathered by Argus . LSSR export availability from Dangote will depend on the refinery's ability to run feedstocks through residue fluid catalytic cracking units for gasoline production. Potentially adding to west African LSSR, at the start of December Nigeria's 210,000 b/d Port Harcourt refinery sold its first cargo since its long-awaited restart on 27 November. Port Harcourt's LSSR contains 0.26pc sulphur, according to Kpler. By Bob Wigin and Isabella Reimi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Crude production resumes at Karoon’s Brazil Bauna field

24/12/24

Crude production resumes at Karoon’s Brazil Bauna field

Sydney, 24 December (Argus) — Australia-listed oil producer Karoon Energy has restarted its Bauna project offshore Brazil, the firm said today. Output resumed late on 22 December local time, Karoon said. This followed the repair of one of two mooring chains tethering its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which failed on 11 December , leading the company to cut its 2024 guidance to 27,600-28,100 b/d of oil equivalent (boe/d), down from an earlier 28,700-29,500 boe/d. The second mooring chain is expected to be repaired by mid-January, Karoon said. An investigation into the failure will be jointly undertaken with FPSO owner and operator Ocyan, and its joint-venture partner Altera Infrastructure. Bauna production was about 24,500 b/d before the shutdown, with Karoon expecting to reach this level again in the coming days. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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