Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 8
Iranian Crude Cuts China Price by Over $1 a Barrel as Independent Refiners Curb Runs
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 8

Iranian Crude Cuts China Price by Over $1 a Barrel as Independent Refiners Curb Runs

3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 8

Summary

  • Iranian Light for July arrival was offered to Chinese buyers at a discount of more than $1 a barrel to ICE Brent, reversing from a premium last month.
  • Chinese independent refiners have reduced operating rates to limit losses as refining margins weaken, eroding demand for discounted barrels.
  • Russian crude shipped from the country’s Far East has also been marked lower, indicating softer buying interest in China’s teapot refining market.
  • The price cuts show how weaker Chinese refinery demand is forcing sanctioned suppliers to compete harder for one of their most important outlets.

Insights

How will the Russia-Iran price war for China's market reshape global energy flows and alliances?
As China's EV boom cuts oil demand, why does it deepen its reliance on sanctioned Iranian crude?
With US sanctions intensifying, is the Iran-China 'shadow' oil trade becoming too big to fail?