Oil Markets

Asia's energy markets are navigating a period defined by heightened geopolitical risk, vulnerable maritime chokepoints, shifting trade flows, and growing uncertainty over supply security. With APPEC 2026 concluding earlier in September, discussions at the event highlighted how refiners, traders, shipowners, and policymakers are reassessing sourcing strategies, inventories, freight exposure, compliance requirements, and the role of trusted price benchmarks. In this episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Asia Energy Editor Sambit Mohanty discusses some of the key takeaways from APPEC with Bao Ying Ng, global director for strategic engagements at S&P Global Energy, Benjamin Tang, head of liquid bulk at S&P Global Commodities at Sea, and Jonathan Nonis, associate editorial director for Asian oil products.

Distillate prices are rising as escalating tensions in the Middle East and Russia inject fresh uncertainty into global energy markets. Join S&P Global Energy's Gary Clark, associate director, price reporting, alongside reporters Sophia Aung and Aruni Sunil, as they examine how geopolitical risks, supply disruptions, and a tightening physical market are underpinning a bullish outlook for distillates. They also explore the impact of constrained supply, low inventories, and shifting trade flows on consumers, and assess whether relief is on the horizon.

Diesel markets are entering their most stressful stretch of the year as record prices, thin inventories and disrupted supply flows collide across the Americas. In this episode of the Oil Markets Podcast, Jeff Mower speaks with Janet McGurty, Kauanna Navarro and Carlos Castillo about how constraints in Russia and the Middle East have pushed US Gulf Coast refiners into the role of global swing supplier, why Brazil is relying more heavily on US and Indian cargoes, and how limited refinery spare capacity leaves markets with little room for error.

Middle East export disruptions, soaring gasoline demand and shifting trade flows have reshaped global naphtha markets over the past six months. Join Gary Clark, associate director, price reporting, and Barbara Fernandez-Pita, senior price reporter, as they break down what prompted the multiyear highs in gasoline blending demand for naphtha, the widening East-West arbitrage, propane's growing advantage over naphtha at the steam crackers and the Rhine logistics issues disrupting Europe's petrochemical sector.

Energy markets are once again being tested by geopolitics. With fragile shipping routes and shifting trade patterns, energy security has returned to the top of the agenda. As the industry prepares for APPEC 2026, hosted by S&P Global Energy, the focus is no longer just on market access but on securing reliable, long-term energy supplies. Asia remains the center of gravity for global energy demand, yet the region's priorities are evolving. The industry's biggest questions are: Where will reliable energy come from? How will trade flows shift? And how can the region balance growth with decarbonization?
In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Asia energy editor Sambit Mohanty is joined by Vera Blei, head of Platts; Debangsu Ray, cluster president and head of Reliance's Jamnagar refinery; and Calvin Lee, head of Asia content. They discuss the key themes that will be in focus at the conference, scheduled to take place in Singapore from Sept. 7–10.