Is Hormuz Strait Open? A Short Comment for Traders and Investors
Traders are closely watching the Strait of Hormuz after recent satellite data confirmed that the main shipping lane remains fully operational. Kpler’s April 17 2026 analysis shows no significant vessel congestion or closures, despite regional geopolitical tensions. The report highlights that oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows through the strait have stayed within normal ranges, easing short‑term supply‑risk concerns. Analysts advise investors to treat the current openness as a temporary stability window rather than a permanent resolution.
The US Diesel Shock: Inventories to Record Lows, Prices to Record Highs?
U.S. diesel inventories are projected to plunge to historic lows, according to the Energy Information Administration’s latest forecast. The tightening supply has driven diesel futures above $5 per gallon, the highest level since 2022. Contributing factors include extensive refinery maintenance,...
The Hormuz Crisis and the Oil Market: Spot Vs. Futures – A Straightforward Classroom Explanation
The article uses an Econ‑101 lens to explain why physical (spot) oil prices surged while futures lagged during the recent Hormuz Strait crisis. It attributes the spot spike to immediate shipping disruptions and highlights the divergence as a symptom of...
Gazprom Exports to the EU Jump 21% Y/Y in March as Hormuz Crisis Tighten LNG Supply
Europe’s gas storage fell to 27.7% of capacity by the end of March, the lowest seasonal level since 2022, yet the continent avoided a supply shortfall through the winter. In March, Gazprom boosted its exports to the EU by 21%...
Will US Diesel Inventories Decline to Record Low?
U.S. diesel inventories slipped by 2.1 million barrels in the latest weekly report, pushing total stocks to roughly 5.5 million barrels, the lowest level in over a decade. Refinery utilization climbed to 94%, indicating strong production capacity that is unable...
From the Hype of Destruction to the Hype of Ceasefire
Oil prices plunged about 14% after President Trump posted that the United States would pause bombing Iran for two weeks, contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz for safe shipping. Iran accepted the conditional ceasefire, and diplomatic talks are...
Hormuz Between Trump and Iranian IRGC (A Podcast)
The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. doubled its reinsurance guarantees for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to $40 billion, adding major insurers such as AIG and Berkshire Hathaway. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump warned Iran with a 48‑hour deadline to...
US Diesel and Jet Fuel Shortages Looming in 2026? Will the Government Ban Exports?
U.S. diesel and jet fuel inventories have slipped sharply, with diesel down about 5 million barrels and jet fuel off 4 million barrels compared with the previous month. Refinery utilization is hovering near 92%, squeezing supply even as demand from trucking and...
The Hormuz Panic Spiral: How Market Fear and Policy Chaos Are Fueling Energy Shortages
Recent attempts by the IEA and the United States to flood the market with strategic petroleum reserves—totaling roughly 572 million barrels—failed to curb soaring oil prices. Even temporary waivers that allowed the sale of sanctioned Russian and Iranian crude did not...
US Weekly Oil Data
The latest US weekly oil report shows crude inventories rising by 3.2 million barrels, while exports climbed to 4.1 million barrels per day. Imports slipped 0.5 million barrels, marking the lowest level since 2022. Refinery utilization surged to 92%, approaching...
The SPR Release: Why Did Oil Prices Increase? (Video)
Oil prices rose despite the International Energy Agency and U.S. government announcing a large Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) release. Analysts say the release was too modest to offset ongoing supply constraints from OPEC+ cuts and heightened geopolitical risk in the...
From Leverage to Dependence: Russia's Gas Sector Four Years After the Invasion
Four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s gas strategy has shifted from dominating Europe to seeking new markets amid a severe EU storage shortfall. The EU’s gas inventories sit at just 30 % of capacity, prompting a short‑term reconsideration of...
(Public- No Paywall) Oil Prices Could Rise to Unprecedented Levels- Anas Alhajji On Iran War Economics
Anas Alhajji warns that the escalating Iran war could push oil prices to unprecedented levels, potentially driving Brent above $120 per barrel. He cites a likely sharp reduction in Iranian output and limited OPEC spare capacity as key supply constraints....
700 Cargoes, $40 Billion, and the Russian Exit Threat: How the Hormuz Shock Shattered Europe’s Energy Calculus
The sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted roughly 700 oil cargoes, representing about $40 billion in trade, and exposed the vulnerability of Europe’s post‑2022 energy strategy. Simultaneously, Russia warned it could exit the European market before any formal ban,...
Global LNG Crisis: Top Stocks to Watch as Hormuz Remains Blocked & Qatar’s LNG Production Is Halted.
The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, choking a key route for Middle‑East gas shipments, while Qatar has temporarily halted its LNG production, tightening global supply. Spot LNG prices have spiked above $30 per million British thermal units, prompting buyers to...