US oil-storage dips on price trends
Unfavourable futures prices have taken the steam out of the US independent oil-storage business, but physical flows of fuel components continue as a volume driver at refinery-hub terminals
Backwardation in refined oil-product prices – futures prices lower than prompt – has led traders to walk away from booked storage capacity at many US locations, with tank volumes falling and storage fees coming under pressure. But at locations where physical business is strong, the long-term growth in imports and exports of transport fuel streams has given the larger operators confidence to press on with capacity expansions. At physically driven locations, the fundamentals of the US oil market have been favourable to independent terminal operators. The slide in oil consumption since the peak of 2005 reversed in 2010 with an increase of 2.2%, according to US Energy Information Administration
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
