US crude and fuel exports reaching new highs
WTI's persistent discount to Brent has drawn record levels of American oil onto international markets
American producers and refiners are throwing their weight around international oil markets. Continental Resources announced this week that it had reached a deal to sell 1m barrels of light oil produced in the Bakken to customers in China in November, the latest sign of US crude's growing presence around the world. US crude exports surged over the first ten and a half months of this year, and especially in recent weeks. Oil exports have averaged 0.85m barrels a day through mid-October this year, compared to 481,000 in 2016. The pace of exports has been supercharged over the past four weeks, averaging 1.6m b/d, easily the briskest period for US oil exports ever. Hurricane Harvey wrought havoc

Also in this section
10 June 2025
The bloc may find it very difficult to replicate Japan’s approach due to fundamental differences in policy and the markets
10 June 2025
Scapegoating foreign buyers will not solve country’s gas shortages
10 June 2025
US gasoline consumption is at its high level since before COVID, but while stocks remain healthy, the hurricane season threatens
10 June 2025
There has been a flourishing of non-governmental initiatives aimed at incentivising voluntary action on emissions over the past five years, and momentum is not slowing down.