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
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
