Chinese oil demand to peak before 2030: CNPC

: Coal, Crude oil, Natural gas, Oil products, Petrochemicals
21/12/28

China's petrochemical needs will fuel oil demand growth while a slowdown in incremental oil demand in the transportation sector will contribute to a peak in overall oil consumption before 2030, according to the latest forecast by state-controlled CNPC's research arm the Economics and Technology Research Institute (ETRI).

Chinese oil demand is expected to peak at 18.2mn b/d (780mn t/yr) before 2030, with the petrochemicals sector driving oil demand through 2030. But oil demand is forecast to drop to 8.8mn b/d by 2050 and 5.4mn b/d by 2060.

This will exacerbate the oversupply in refining capacity after 2030, requiring refiners to increase production of higher-end products, rather than transportation fuels, as part of energy transition efforts, the ETRI said. Beijing has already outlined a crude distillation capacity limit of 20mn b/d for Chinese refining capacity in 2025.

Electrification, or the use of electric vehicles, will be especially rapid in the transportation sector between 2031-50. This will reduce gasoline and diesel demand, although petrochemicals demand is still expected to be relatively stable during this period.

Demand for oil products including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel could peak at 8.4mn b/d by 2025 and decline to 1.3mn b/d by 2060, driven by the rise of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and development of railways. Chinese apparent products demand, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, averaged 6.9mn b/d in January-November, data from the National Bureau of Statistics and Customs Bureau show.

China's auto fleet still has room to grow, the ETRI said. NEVs will account for 10pc of China's total auto fleet in 2028, and rise to 80pc in 2052. NEVs currently account for just 2.3pc of vehicles in China.

China's auto sales in 2022 are expected to rise by 5.4pc from a year earlier to 27.5mn, with NEVs leading the increase, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

Sales of NEVs are forecast to rise by 47pc to 5mn in 2022, the CAAM said.

The country's primary energy consumption could also peak during 2030-35, at around 6bn t of standard coal equivalent (tce), then decline to 5.7bn tce by 2060 as renewables production rises, according to the ETRI. China only just met its 2020 consumption target of 5bn t tce with demand of 4.98bn tce.

The ETRI has also forecast Chinese coal demand to peak by 2025, and gas demand by 2040.

The institute expects Chinese crude production to remain at around 4mn b/d before 2035 but for natural gas output to grow at a faster pace, reaching 250bn m³/yr by 2030 and 350bn m³/yr by 2060. Chinese crude output averaged 100,000 b/d or 3pc higher on the year at 3.94mn b/d in January-November. Gas output rose by 8.9pc on year to 186bn m³ in January-November.

For 2021, national crude output is expected at 3.98mn b/d and gas output at 206bn m³, the National Energy Administration said.

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25/05/08

Chemicals, polymers part of EU tariff consultation

London, 8 May (Argus) — Polymer and chemical products are included in a European Commission public consultation on a list of US imports which could become subject to EU countermeasures, if ongoing EU-US negotiations do not result in a mutually beneficial outcome and the removal of the US tariffs. The consultation will remain open until 10 June, after which a final proposal will be made for the adoption of countermeasures and a legal act prepared for imposing them "in case negotiations with the US do not produce a satisfactory result". The list of additional products that could face import tariffs includes many polymers and some chemicals, although appears to target value more than volume. These additions include polypropylene homopolymer and copolymers (HS codes 39021000, 39023000), although these account for a relatively small volume of trade, at 114,000t in 2024, according to GTT data. Other polymer codes on the consultation list include some polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyethylene terephthalate products. Isocyanates and some polyurethanes are part of the consultation. Imports of acetic acid, a methanol derivative were included. EU 27 imports from the US in 2024 were 540,000t. Liquid caustic soda has been included. The EU 27 countries imported 540,000t in 2024. Benzene and xylenes have been included, but only under distinct "non-chemically defined" HS codes (27071000 and 27073000) and for which volumes are small. The European Union on 9 April announced a 90-day delay to a series of planned countermeasures specific to US tariffs on metals to allow space for negotiations. These are separate from the new consultation and remain poised to go ahead if negotiations fail. They included a 25pc tariff on imports from the US of polyethylene under codes representing nearly 1mnt of imports in 2024. By Alex Sands Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Permian output could plateau sooner: Occidental CEO

25/05/08

Permian output could plateau sooner: Occidental CEO

New York, 8 May (Argus) — Oil production from the Permian basin could plateau sooner than expected if operators keep talking about reducing activity levels in the wake of lower oil prices, warned the chief executive of Occidental Petroleum. Vicki Hollub said she previously expected to see Permian output growing through 2027, with overall US production growth peaking by the end of the decade. "It's looking like with the current headwinds, or at least volatility and uncertainty around pricing and the economy, and recessions and all of that, it's looking like that peak could come sooner," Hollub told analysts today after posting first quarter results. "So I'm thinking right now the Permian, if it grows at all through the rest of the year, it's going to be very little." Occidental is reducing the midpoint of its annual capital spending guidance for 2025 by $200mn on the back of further efficiency gains. The US independent also plans to trim domestic operating costs by $150mn. "We continue to rapidly advance towards our debt reduction goals, and we believe our deep, diverse portfolio of high-quality assets positions us for success in any market environment," Hollub said. Occidental closed asset sales of $1.3bn in the first quarter and has repaid $2.3bn in debt so far in 2025. Occidental produced 1.4mn b/d of oil equivalent (boe/d) in the first quarter compared with nearly 1.2mn boe/d in the same period of last year. By Stephen Cunningham Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US seeks flexibility from Europe to help LNG deals

25/05/08

US seeks flexibility from Europe to help LNG deals

Washington, 8 May (Argus) — President Donald Trump's administration is pressing European countries to offer flexibility on standards for methane emissions as a way to ease the pathway for them to sign long-term purchase agreements for US LNG. Trump has pushed for countries to commit to buying more US LNG as a way to avoid steep tariffs he has threatened to impose on countries that have trade imbalances with the US. But a looming requirement for European importers to show "equivalence" to EU methane monitoring requirements for newly signed gas supply contracts could pose an obstacle for US LNG, based on differences in how methane emissions are tracked. The administration's "ask" is for the EU to ensure that its methane-related measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) methodologies do not pose a barrier to US LNG, US acting assistant secretary of state for energy resources Laura Lochman said today. US LNG terminals have struggled to show equivalency to the MRV rules because, unlike many global LNG projects, they source their gas from pipelines connected to multiple fields. "Give time for industry to work through some of those traceability issues as well, because it would take a few years to be able to get to that point and work out the equivalency methodology," Lochman said at an event with European officials organized by the industry group LNG Allies. European officials indicated they are receptive to finding a solution, as they work to end purchases of Russian gas by the end of 2027. But they say they want to continue to see reductions in emissions of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Trump has already started rolling back restrictions on methane emissions. "We understand you've got a different supply chain, as opposed to us, and that it's important to have it worked out so that any difficulties are taken away from American companies with those regulations," Netherlands ambassador to the US Birgitta Tazelaar said at the event. "Of course it's very important for the Netherlands and Europe that methane be reduced." US LNG developers are likewise pushing Europe to consider pushing back a goal to largely phase out natural gas consumption by 2040. That deadline could complicate the traditional financing model for new LNG terminals typically premised on signing 20-year supply deals, said Kimmeridge managing partner Ben Dell, whose company is building the proposed 9.5mn metric tonne/yr Commonwealth LNG project in Louisiana. "The one thing I would ask is for European members in this room to think beyond 2040," Dell said. "Ultimately extending that runway allows a lower-cost project financing and ultimately a lower cost delivery into the European market." A potential trade deal between the US and the EU could create an opportunity to grant equivalency to US LNG exports to avoid barriers from the EU methane regulation, LNG Allies president Fred Hutchison said today. The US in turn could reclassify the EU as having a free trade agreement for gas, which would expedite US LNG export licensing, Hutchison said. The Trump administration sees the potential for European contracts to lead proposed US LNG export terminals to reach final investment decisions (FIDs). The administration has already been "very clear" about its goal to increase LNG exports and cut regulations facing the natural gas sector, the State Department's Lochman said. "When you put together the push from the US side to support, and then the demand signals on the European side, you can get more projects making it to FID," Lochman said. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

HSFO defies the green tide

25/05/08

HSFO defies the green tide

New York, 8 May (Argus) — High-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), once seen as a fading relic, is proving remarkably resilient (see table) despite the maritime sector's push toward decarbonization. The fuel remains economically attractive thanks to persistent scrubber investments and regulatory frameworks that fail to fully penalize its use. Under the EU notation, HSFO and very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) are assigned the same calorific and greenhouse gas emission values. This equivalence means that ships fitted with scrubbers — systems that strip out sulphur oxides — face no additional penalties for choosing HSFO over VLSFO. As a result, greenhouse gas fees under FuelEU Maritime and the EU emissions trading system (ETS) offer no disincentive for scrubber users to stick with cheaper HSFO. In March 2025, the VLSFO-HSFO spread in Singapore narrowed to just $44/t, the lowest since the IMO 2020 sulphur cap took effect. At that level, a scrubber on a capesize bulker pays for itself in under two years. When the spread averaged $122/t in 2024, the payback period was about eight months. Even in regulated markets like Europe, economics favor HSFO. Under the EU ETS, ships operating in, out of or between EU ports must pay for 70pc of their CO2 emissions in 2025. In Rotterdam, bunker prices including ETS surcharges still favor HSFO: $575/t for HSFO, $605/t for VLSFO, and $783/t for a B30 Used cooking oil methyl ester blend. While biofuels, methanol and LNG are inching forward in market share, they remain cost-prohibitive. In the meantime, HSFO, with scrubber backing, continues to punch above its environmental weight. By Stefka Wechsler Selected ports marine fuel demand t % Chg 1Q 25-1Q 24 1Q 2025 less 1Q 2024 1Q 2025 1Q 2024 Singapore HSFO 1.0% 33,160.0 4,898,372.0 4,865,212.0 VLSFO/ULSFO -13.0% -1,005,951.0 6,829,667.0 7,835,618.0 MGO/MDO -5.0% -49,012.0 907,874.0 956,886.0 biofuel blends 187.0% 237,552.0 364,418.0 126,866.0 LNG 34.0% 25,935.0 101,856.0 75,921.0 Rotterdam HSFO 1.0% 11,169.0 829,197.0 818,028.0 VLSFO/ULSFO 14.0% 118,670.0 976,249.0 857,579.0 MGO/MDO 3.0% 9,662.0 393,071.0 383,409.0 biofuel blends -60.0% -158,597.0 104,037.0 262,634.0 LNG 7.0% 7.0 104.0 97.0 Panama HSFO 22.0% 65,266.0 362,388.0 297,122.0 VLSFO/ULSFO 25.0% 177,296.0 878,776.0 701,480.0 MGO/MDO 22.0% 27,097.0 150,980.0 123,883.0 — Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Rotterdam Port Authority and Panama Canal Authority Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Shell to buy Freepoint pyrolysis oil in US: Update

25/05/08

Shell to buy Freepoint pyrolysis oil in US: Update

Adds Freepoint comment in second paragraph Houston, 8 May (Argus) — Freepoint Eco-Systems has agreed to provide Shell's polymer plant in Pennsylvania with "a steady supply" of pyrolysis oil produced in Hebron, Ohio, from chemically recycled plastic waste. Under the "landmark agreement", oil will be shipped to Shell's polymer plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, where it will be used to make plastic, the company said. Shell under the deal is entitled to the Hebron plant's production capacity of 130mn lb/yr, Freepoint said Thursday. Freepoint's Hebron plant is still in its commissioning phase, but the company expects to produce up to its full capacity of pyrolysis oil upon completion later this year. Pyrolysis uses high heat to break down waste plastic into feedstocks that can be used to make virgin-like plastic material. Shell said the agreement reflected its commitment to increasing the circularity of plastics in its portfolio. On 22 April, Freepoint sent its first railcar of pyrolysis oil to Shell's plant in Norco, Louisiana. By Zach Kluver Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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