US sanctions on PdVSA and Venezuela are already having a significant impact. Imports of clean products into Venezuela were halted for 11 days from the end of January, while Venezuelan crude exports to the US have dropped considerably.
Continue ReadingWelcome to The GERM Report by Dan Graeber, a commentary on the intersection between geopolitical events and the price of oil. GERM stands for Geopolitical Energy and Risk Monitoring. Our indicator is based on the expected price volatility by the end of the current trading week.
Risk level: Orange
Continue ReadingRecognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela by the United States, Canada and several right-leaning Latin American powers shows the tenure of Nicolas Maduro and the durability of Chavismo is under threat.
Continue ReadingI was out on CNBC Asia last evening discussing the current situation in Venezuela, and its path back to energy. We discussed the crude flows leaving the country, where they are going, and how dependent Venezuela is on the flow of diluent into the country from the US.
Continue ReadingNutty times in the oil market (again). Yesterday morning I was out on NPR's Texas Standard discussing retail gasoline prices as they approach the $3/gallon handle, you can listen to the segment here. I also appeared on CNBC Asia last night, discussing the slow-motion car crash that is Venezuela, among other things.
Continue ReadingToday's vlog takes a look at Venezuelan flows, not only of exports, but of diluent imports as the Latin American nation tries to keep its exports flowing amid falling production. Hark, click on the below graphic to launch to the clip (and here is a link to yesterday's 'This Week in Petroleum').
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