Dec 11 / Victor Arduin

Energy Weekly Report - 2023 12 11

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"The drop in crude oil costs over the past months has kept refining product margins stable, such as gasoline and heating oil. As result, the WTI 3:2:1 crack spread remains above its five-year average at $22.56."

Refineries Reap Benefits from Falling Oil Prices

  • The significant decline in oil prices has been a positive factor for refineries, as it is the primary cost of producing refined products. While this has helped keep margins stable for now, there are worrying signs.
  • The United States is accumulating more gasoline and middle distillate inventories, which should soon impact market spreads.
  • Given this context, the end of 2023 heads towards a devaluation in the energy complex, and 2024 could be quite challenging with current market risks.

Introduction

Though the energy complex faced challenges throughout 2023, particularly towards the end of the year when crude oil prices declined, refineries have still seen robust profit margins.

However, this is a consequence of the sharp fall in oil prices in recent months, the main input in the gasoline production, middle distillates, and other fuels. The rising inventories in the United States are a sign that cracks may soon decline.

Furthermore, challenges for 2024 mount amid a high-interest-rate environment, reduced demand, and signals of diminished cooperation among OPEC+ countries.

Image 1: RBOB Vs. WTI (US$/bbl)


          Source: Refnitiv

Image 2: Heating Oil Vs. WTI (US$/bbl)


             Source: Refinitiv

Refining margins are holding steady, but there are risks ahead

The drop in crude oil costs over the past months has kept refining product margins stable, such as gasoline and heating oil. As result, the WTI 3:2:1 crack spread remains above its five-year average at $22.56. This measure indicates that the refining process is generating healthy profits currently, despite the overall decline in the energy complex.

This trend is evident in other cracks benchmarks as well, some experiencing an even greater intensity. In this context, Saudi Arabia recently announced discounts to its buyers to maintain market share in a more competitive environment, where sanctioned oil like Urals, from Russia, allows refineries to achieve better margins. In historical terms, post-COVID-19 refining margins have remained exceptionally high.

Image 3: WTI Crack Spread (USD/3:2:1 bbl)

Source: Bloomberg


However, it is important to mention that this current environment may not be sustainable in the future. Recent increases in US inventories signal the potential for a market surplus. Gasoline stocks, already surpassing their five-year average, and are trending upward.

At this moment, refineries are striving to boost the production of middle distillates, which currently offer better profit margins. However, this effort to increase middle distillate production will ultimately long-term inventory growth.
If that weren't enough to bring a more bearish outlook, it is also important to consider the current complicated macroeconomic environment. Higher interest rates, a possible recession in Europe, and lower demand in China may directly impact the energy complex.

Image 4: Crude Oil Crack Refinery Profit (USD/bbl)

Source: Refinitiv

Energy commodities are headed to conclude the year on a downward trend

After an exceptionally bullish 2022 for energy commodities, this year is on track to end with a general devaluation of the energy complex. This is explained by the abrupt fall in oil, the key input and cost, of various refined products.

The restrictive interest rates environment, concerns about a recession in Europe, and lower demand in the United States, which is increasingly accumulating more stocks, are the main causes of the recent fall in the main oil benchmarks. Just this month, WTI has fallen by 4.73 (-6,23%) and Brent by 6.99 (-8,44%) USD/barrel.

While the downside risks on the demand side are significant, the supply side is not much different. The OPEC+ group showed less coordination in its production cuts strategy at its last meeting, and non-OPEC countries are gaining more market share. As a result, the energy deficit is significantly smaller than expected months ago, when the main oil benchmarks were above 90 USD.

Image 5: Energy Commodity Performance 2023 (Normalized to December 30, 2022)

Source: Refinitiv

In Summary

Although the energy complex is heading towards a devaluation in 2023, it is important to consider that 2022 was an extremely bullish year for energy commodities.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine increased the risk of oil and natural gas supply disruptions to Europe, significantly raising the value of these resources. Therefore, it is natural for prices to correct towards values that are, in historical terms, more “normal”.

So far, we have observed that refineries have enjoyed healthy margins. Despite gains being less significant compared to last year, this year has seen high refining spreads when considering its historical series.

However, the fall in oil prices, reflecting demand risks, may soon impact refinery margins, especially with the increase in gasoline and middle distillate inventories in the United States.

In this context, the coming year is expected to be more challenging for energy commodities, which will eventually reflect lower margins for refineries.

Weekly Report — Energy

Written by Victor Arduin
victor.arduin@hedgepointglobal.com
Reviewed by Livea Coda
livea.coda@hedgepointglobal.com
www.hedgepointglobal.com

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