Price benchmarks have mostly moved up, and bad weather has prompted pilot restrictions in Galveston.

IMAGE: Cargo ships in the Port of Los Angeles. Getty Images

Changes on the day from Friday to 08.00 CDT (13.00 GMT) today:

• VLSFO prices up in Houston ($18/mt), Balboa ($9/mt), New York ($2/mt) and Los Angeles ($1/mt), and down in Zona Comun ($3/mt)
• LSMGO prices up in Los Angeles ($12/mt), Balboa ($10/mt) and Houston ($6/mt), and down in New York and Zona Comun ($9/mt)
• HSFO prices up in Balboa ($15/mt), Los Angeles ($5/mt), Houston ($3/mt) and New York ($1/mt)

Houston's VLSFO price benchmark has recorded the biggest increase in the latest session, and has shrunk its discount to New York to $23/mt.

Bunker fuel demand has remained steady in Houston this week. HSFO availability is firm, and prompt delivery is possible with advised lead times of 4–5 days.

Both VLSFO and LSMGO are available within the recommended lead times of 5–7 days.

Due to bad weather conditions from the ongoing hurricane season, pilot restrictions are currently in place at Galveston. There are restrictions in place for pilot vessels to only begin transits after sunrise.

"LNG tankers arriving at Galveston can only enter Bolivar Roads during daylight hours for safety reasons, but they’re allowed to leave at night," a source said.

Balboa's HSFO and VLSFO benchmarks have both increased. The port's Hi5 spread has narrowed from $37/mt to $30/mt.

HSFO is tight in Balboa this week, with some suppliers able to deliver while others have no stock. VLSFO is readily available, and one supplier can deliver it within 1-2 days.

Brent

The front-month ICE Brent contract has lost $0.23/bbl on the day from Friday, to trade at $69.74/bbl at 08.00 CDT (13.00 GMT).

Upward pressure:

The US securing a trade deal with the European Union (EU), along with the potential extension of a tariff pause with China, eased fears that higher tariffs might dampen economic activity and curb fuel demand, according to Reuters. These developments have contributed to upward pressure on Brent futures.

Oil prices received support “after the US signed a trade deal with the European Union on Sunday and was reported to be poised to extend the tariff truce with China by another 90 days during talks this week,” said Vandana Hari, founder of VANDA Insights.

Oil prices were supported “after the US and EU announced a trade deal, which will see most EU exports to the US facing a 15% tariff,” analysts at ING Bank shared a similar view.

Adding to the price support, the total number of rigs drilling for crude oil and natural gas in the US fell by two last week to 542 units, according to Baker Hughes.

Specifically, oil rigs dropped by seven to 415, while gas rigs increased by five to 122.

This overall decline has sparked some supply concerns, further contributing to upward pressure on oil prices.

Downward pressure:

The prospect of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) further easing supply restrictions has exerted downward pressure on Brent futures.

Four OPEC+ delegates said last week that the group is unlikely to recommend any changes to the existing plan by eight member countries to increase oil output by 548,000 b/d in August, although another source noted it was still too early to determine, according to Reuters.

“The group may feel emboldened to go with yet another large supply hike for September, given that prices are holding up relatively well despite supply increases already announced in recent months,” commented two analysts from ING Bank.

Market watchers are closely awaiting the outcome of the OPEC+ meeting scheduled for later today.

Adding to the bearish sentiment, the US is preparing to issue new authorizations for key partners of Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA—starting with Chevron—allowing them to operate under certain limitations and engage in oil swap agreements with the sanctioned OPEC nation, Reuters reported.

“The Trump administration announced last week it will allow Chevron to resume pumping oil in Venezuela,” said Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ Bank.

This move has also contributed to downward pressure on oil prices.

By Gautamee Hazarika and Tuhin Roy

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