Argus Media

Market Talks: Refineries and Vaca Muerta

The shale oil surge from Vaca Muerta forced a transformation of Argentina’s refining system, which had originally been designed for heavy crudes. This shift had a corresponding impact on the slate of refined products available to the Argentine market and to the region. To learn more, listend to this conversation between Argus business development manager Nazareno Ferrero, based in Buenos Aires, and Camila Fontana, deputy bureau chief of the Argus office in São Paulo. 

Here are some of the topics discussed in this episode:

• Refiners invest to process lighter crudes 
• LPG exports from Argentina 
• Growing oversupply of low‑octane naphthas 
• Opportunities in jet fuel 

Falando de Mercado: Refinarias e Vaca Muerta

 

O petróleo de xisto de Vaca Muerta transformou o sistema de refino da Argentina, que havia sido projetado para processar óleos mais pesados. Essa mudança impactou o conjunto de produtos refinados disponíveis tanto para o mercado argentino quanto para a região. Para saber mais, ouça esta conversa entre o gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios da Argus em Buenos Aires, Nazareno Ferrero, e Camila Fontana, chefa adjunta da redação da Argus em São Paulo. 

 

Alguns dos temas discutidos neste episódio: 

 

• Refinarias investem para processar óleos mais leves 

• Exportações de GLP a partir da Argentina 

• Crescente sobreoferta de nafta de baixa octanagem 

• Oportunidades com combustível de aviação 

Insuring Corsia: What lies ahead?

In this episode, Alexandra Luca talks with Chris Slater, CEO of Oka - a leading carbon insurance provider supporting credits in the initial phase of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia). They discuss Oka's current insurance-based credits pipeline, recent challenges for insurers, and future developments in the Corsia market.

 

Tune in for expert insights on:

• Obstacles to expanding insurance-based Corsia supply: the impact of the EU draft proposal on insurers 

• Insurance capacity beyond BTR deadlines in 2026

• Key regions and methodologies for supplying Corsia

• How the war in Iran is impacting Corsia demand and supply

Learn more about the Argus Carbon service

SAF Insights: European SAF market holds breath on jet price surge

Unpack the latest price movements, supply scenarios, and compliance dynamics affecting jet and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The conflict in the Middle East, a key jet fuel supply region, has hit global aviation fuels markets hard. In this episode of SAF Insights, the team discuss how European jet fuel prices have surged and volatility has increased, while SAF markets have been contending with their own fundamentals and the HEFA-SAF premium to fossil jet has narrowed.

This podcast will address key questions

• How has jet fuel price volatility impacted liquidity and market confidence?
• What market forces explain the HEFA SAF/jet spread movements?
• Can Europe offset Middle Eastern jet supply shortfalls, and what are the fallback options?
• Can higher jet fuel prices drive the market toward higher SAF blending rates?
• Do SAF price patterns mirror those seen in other biofuels markets?

Fertilizer Matters EP48: Feed Phosphates Market Fundamentals

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of what’s driving the feed phosphate market, the impact of the Middle East conflict – and we also introduce the new Argus MDCP and DCP weekly feed phosphate price assessments.

Join Tom Hampson, Global Editor – Phosphates, Adrian Seewald, Senior Market Reporter – Phosphates and Hui Xuan Lek, Market Reporter - Fertilizers as they discuss these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series.

Key questions answered in this podcast:

• What are feed phosphates, what are their significance and what are the different grades?
• What role does China play in the feed phosphates market?
• What has been driving prices of feed phosphates?
• How have feed phosphate suppliers and buyers responded to the war in the Middle East and to the closure of the strait of Hormuz?
• How has the war impacted Chinese feed phosphate prices?
• What impact have we seen in Europe and Brazil?
• Could Chinese feed phosphates come under any trade regulations – and what’s the market sentiment among Chinese producers?
• Are feed phosphate prices now peaking, or could they rise further?
• Why did Argus launch the MDCP fob south China, MDCP bagged ex-works south China and DCP fob south China price assessments – and how do they enhance price transparency?

Related links

• Argus Phosphate price reporting service | More info | Request trial
• More information: Phosphate short and mid to long-term outlook services
• Free newsletter sign up: Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights

Chemical Conversations: South Korea BTX Rationalisation and Global Impact

South Korea’s petrochemical rationalisation programme marks one of the most significant structural shifts in Asia’s BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene) markets. 

In discussion with Argus' Senior Aromatics Reporter Joonlei Lee, Santosh Navada examines the potential implications of South Korea’s rationalisation programme for global BTX trade flows.

• What key factors are driving South Korea’s decision to implement a rationalisation programme.
• How the rationalisation will affect South Korea’s petrochemical sector and the broader domestic economy.
• What long-term strategic objectives the programme is designed to achieve.
• How the Middle East conflict is influencing the timing, scope and urgency of the rationalisation programme.

Further details and additional insights are available from Argus Aromatics experts and Argus publications, including:

Argus Toluene, Xylenes and Derivatives (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/solutions/products/argus-toluene-xylenes-and-derivatives) | Argus Toluene and Xylenes Outlook (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/solutions/products/argus-toluene-and-xylenes-outlook) | Argus Toluene and Xylenes Analytics (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/solutions/products/argus-toluene-and-xylenes-analytics) | Argus Consulting

MEPC 84: What’s at stake in global shipping’s decarbonization debate?

The International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 84 meeting will set the course for how fast and how far global shipping decarbonizes. From contested carbon pricing to redefining fuel standards, these negotiations will influence billions in investment and the future energy mix.

Join Argus experts Siew Hua Seah and Gabriel Tassi as they break down:

• Why the Net-Zero Framework is dominating the agenda
• How competing proposals from key nations could reshape targets

What the uncertainty means for fuels, compliance, and market participants

Strait Talk: Truce or Dare?

As the Hormuz conflict enters week nine, Argus experts provide on‑the‑ground Middle East insight into unfolding geopolitical developments and their impact on global energy markets.

With the ceasefire extended yet the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remaining in place, uncertainty continues to shape oil flows, prices and market sentiment. In this latest video update, Argus analysts examine the current situation, assess risks to supply, and outline possible recovery scenarios amid ongoing Iran‑US hostilities.

Tom Reed, VP – China, Crude and Oil Products, is joined by Dubai‑based experts Nader Itayim, Middle East Editor, and Bachar Halabi, Senior Correspondent, to unpack the crisis disrupting global oil markets — and what it could mean in the weeks ahead.

Driving Discussions: Turbulence Ahead - The Jet Fuel Supply Crisis

In this episode, our experts, Oliver Thompson (Jet Fuel Analyst), Amaar Khan (Jet Fuel Reporter) and Yawen Lu (Associate Editor) discuss the most severe shock the jet fuel market has ever faced.

Triggered by escalating US–Iran tensions and disruption through the strait of Hormuz, the crisis has left the market grappling with acute supply shortages and rising price volatility. We explore the Middle East’s pivotal role in supply and the mounting pressure on Europe and Asia. We also examine how refinery run cuts, export halts, and volatility between physical and paper markets are intensifying uncertainty.

Listen for a deep dive into what’s happening, why it matters, and how this unprecedented situation could redefine the jet fuel market in the months ahead.

Hablando de Mercado: Alza de combustibles y transición energética

 

El aumento vertiginoso de los precios de los combustibles debido a la guerra en Medio Oriente se convirtió en un factor clave en las discusiones sobre la transición energética. Con las economías globales sacudidas por interrupciones en el suministro, las autoridades reunidas en Colombia esperan demostrar que el mundo tiene alternativas viables a los combustibles fósiles. Para conocer más sobre este tema, escucha esta conversación entre el editor Lucas Parolin, y Camila Fontana, subjefa de la oficina de Argus en São Paulo.

 

 

Aquí algunos de los temas tratados en este episodio:

 

• Ampliación de los esfuerzos de los acuerdos climáticos anteriores 

• Prioridades en la reducción de dependencias y subsidios

• Vulnerabilidad económica frente a aumentos de precios e interrupciones de suministro

• Intereses de los países productores de petróleo

• Disposición de los países a cooperar