Argus Media

The US Gulf coast crude network: Opening the floodgates

Booming US crude production and resulting export volumes are drastically changing global crude trade flows. With US Gulf coast crude exports expected to grow well past the current level of 3mn b/d, midstream players are busy building more pipelines to bring crude to the coast. 

Western Canadian Select Houston: A heavy crude benchmark emerges

The loss of Venezuelan imports, the stagnation of Mexican production and the diversion of many Mideast grades to Asia has paved the way for Canadian grades — like Western Canadian Select — to take a strong share of the Gulf coast heavy crude market.

Light Louisiana Sweet: Unbecoming a benchmark

Shale production, US crude exports and pipeline shifts have dramatically changed the utility of Light Louisiana Sweet (LLS), which has shifted from bellwether to regional feedstock as new grades increasingly encroach on its territory.

West Texas Light: New crude on the block

Booming US crude production and resulting export volumes are drastically changing the global crude trade flow and market landscape. We explain why and how WTL (West Texas Light) spot trade has blossomed in west Texas as it makes its way toward the US Gulf coast and/or Cushing.