OPIS Blog

September 13, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market

Summer Driving Season: Demand Disappoints, Margins Save the Day

Evidence continues to mount that 2019 represented the peak for U.S. gasoline demand as a slow decline in 2024 retail...

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August 13, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market

For Gasoline Retailers the Best is on its Way

Major League Baseball playoff races are heating up and the importance of the offensive “big inning” is magnified in August...

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May 10, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

Refinery Mixology: What’s in Your Gasoline?

Fun fact of the day: refiners, generally speaking, don’t make gasoline. Drivers may think that crude oil goes into a...

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April 19, 2024
Futures, Gas & Diesel

US Gasoline Prices: Fear the Bactrian Camel

Expect to see plenty of news stories this spring that warn of US gasoline prices about to move above $4/gallon....

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March 21, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

Why Do Gasoline Prices Climb in the Spring? A Look at RVP

As the weather warms up with summer on the horizon, US gasoline prices will likely follow the season’s temperatures and...

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August 25, 2023
C-stores, Gas & Diesel

Top Retail Fuel Station Brands Revealed

An updated report for 2022 on the top retail gasoline and diesel chains in the country showed surprising results. Here...

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August 9, 2023
Gas & Diesel

European Diesel Cracks Soar Amid Tight Supply and Refinery Outages

Prices and cracks for diesel and other oil products surged in late July and early August, reflecting tight supply and...

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August 3, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

7 Things You Don’t Know About Your Wholesale Fuel Rack Report

If you are reading this, chances are good that you have recently started subscribing to one of our rack services...

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June 9, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Renewables

What Is California’s Crude CI Deficit & How Does It Affect Fuel Prices?

California this year added a new layer of compliance costs under its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program, forcing so-called...

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May 26, 2023
Futures Market, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Year-on-Year Fuel Disinflation Likely to Reach Epic Proportions

Thanks to irrational exuberance on the part of oil speculators in the spring of 2022, comparisons for key fuels in...

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May 24, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

My OPIS Is Wrong: The Case of the Missing Rack Price Hours

OPIS customer service super sleuth Regina Flake barely had time to put down her coffee when the call came in...

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April 17, 2023
Gas & Diesel

Is Europe Beyond Peak Diesel Demand?

Diesel and gasoil consumption in the European Union and the U.K. stayed flat in 2022 despite the end of most...

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April 4, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Mexico

Mexico 101: Illegal Fuel Imports and Blends

Mexico in recent years has been battling illegal fuel imports and illicit blending of refined products, practices that pose a...

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March 1, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

8 Essential Tips for Writing Better Fuel Bids

Fuel is a must-have for end users like municipalities and school districts. However, procurement is not straightforward.

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February 24, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

One Year Later: Ukraine War Spurs Europe Oil Price Volatility, New Trade Routes

One year after Russia invaded Ukraine, energy commodity flows across the globe have shifted and prices have experienced extreme bouts...

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February 9, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Renewables

Get the Cold, Hard Facts on Fuel Temperature Correction

It’s that time again! The mercury in the thermometer dropping…  And fuel suppliers can get hot under the collar when...

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February 3, 2023
Biofuels, Gas & Diesel

Changing Regulations Could Spur Pricier Midwest Gasoline This Summer

Refiners, marketers, retailers, pipeline operators and others across the gasoline supply chain may be impacted in the spring and summer...

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January 31, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel, Retail Market

10 Predictions for 2023: A Look at an Oil-Soaked 2023 Crystal Ball

The following is an excerpt from Americas: Oil Market Outlook 2023. 1 U.S. gasoline prices will again command the consumer...

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January 6, 2023
Crude, Crude oil, Gas & Diesel

Refinery Additions and Subtractions Complicate Outlook for 2023

Much of the oil industry’s attention in 2022 was appropriately focused on a shortfall in global refining capacity that was...

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December 12, 2022
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Analysis: Gasoline Deflation at Hand as Volatile 2023 Looms

The US national average for gasoline as measured by OPIS on Dec. 12, 2022, represented deflation of 2.02% versus the...

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October 21, 2022
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Europe Diesel Differentials Soar as Strikes Shut Refineries, Stocks Collapse

Refinery outages and falling inventory levels in Europe have significantly tightened diesel supplies across the continent, causing spot price differentials...

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October 17, 2022
California, Gas & Diesel

US West Coast/Gulf Coast Renewable Diesel Market Growth Accelerates

Renewable diesel (RD) shipping volume between the U.S. Gulf Coast and U.S. West Coast has quickly gained market spotlights in...

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October 3, 2022
California, Gas & Diesel

Analysis: US West Coast Market Fundamentals Behind Spot Gasoline Price Surge

U.S. West Coast fuel market fundamentals in September combined in a unique way to push spot market differentials for California...

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September 21, 2022
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Summer Gasoline Demand Struggled But Still Profitable

Now that the summer driving season has come to an end, the scorecard from OPIS shows what was a very...

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September 1, 2021
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Ida’s Impact Likely to Be Measured in Weeks

Hurricane Ida, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on August 29th packing strong winds and heavy rain along...

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August 4, 2021
Distillates, Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

How OPIS Covers Chicago Spot Fuel Prices

The Chicago spot fuel market is complex, with gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and kerosene sourced via several pipelines. 

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June 16, 2021
Gas & Diesel, Mexico

As Gasoline Demand Wanes in the U.S., Mexico Provides a Long-Term Opportunity for U.S. Refiners

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May 26, 2021
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market, Spot Market

Beyond Mid-May Motor Fuel Madness: Will Gasoline Supply Scrambles Persist?

The First Driver of the 2021 Motor Fuel Panic In mid-April, a special report by Oil Price Information Service (OPIS)...

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March 23, 2021
Biofuels, Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

U.S. Regulatory Changes Alter Landscape for Summer Gasolines

On Jan. 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Rule went into effect, and while some impacts...

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March 15, 2021
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

OPIS Chicago Location-Specific Spot Pricing Options: More Ways to Improve Your Bottom Line

In 2020, OPIS launched Chicago location-specific refined spot pricing assessments for Buckeye Complex, Wolverine Pipeline and West Shore/Badger Pipeline, providing...

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December 6, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

ANALYSIS: U.K., European Refinery Turnaround Activity Parting Ways in 2021

Continental Europe’s largest oil refineries do not plan to undertake full-scale maintenance in 2021, while by contrast, the U.K. will...

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November 9, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Hard Brexit Would Shrivel Gasoline Flows Between UK and Europe

Time is ticking away to sign a Brexit deal, and the European gasoline market is bracing itself in case it...

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September 15, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market, Spot Market

Hurricane Laura Aftermath; Pandemic-inspired Demand Reductions

*Editor’s Note: Hurricane Sally is expected to make landfall late tonight or Wednesday along the Mississippi-Alabama coast. As of 2...

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August 24, 2020
Gas & Diesel

Connected Cars: The Future is Now for Gasoline Retailers

Connected car technology increasingly helps consumers choose where and when to buy fuel. This may be key for fuel retailers...

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June 8, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Mexico

Coronavirus Clouds Mexico’s Energy Reform

COVID-19 spread during a critical year for the liberalization of Mexico’s downstream gasoline and diesel markets.

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June 1, 2020
C-stores, Gas & Diesel

Memorial Day Gasoline Review: America Didn’t Crank Up Its Engines

Correct or not, Memorial Day is often the time we take the temperature of gasoline demand. How did 2020 stack...

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May 14, 2020
Gas & Diesel

Fuel Prices and COVID-19: OPIS Blog Toolkit

Fuel prices in 2020 have been rocked by COVID-19 and an oil price war.

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April 20, 2020
Crude, Gas & Diesel

Oil Spill Liability Tax Basics 2020 Update

The federal oil spill liability tax came back after a one-year hiatus. Here’s everything you need to know about what...

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April 13, 2020
C-stores, Gas & Diesel

Q1 2020 Review: An Unprecedented Quarter for Gasoline Retailers

The first quarter of 2020 brought unprecedented challenges to the downstream petroleum industry, as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began to...

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March 31, 2020
Gas & Diesel

Gasoline Price Volatility and the 2020 RVP Season

Despite major fuel market disruptions caused by the coronavirus, summer gasoline season still approaches. 

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March 20, 2020
Gas & Diesel

COVID-19 Coronavirus:  Bleak Math for Refiners

The outlook for U.S. refining operations is grim amid the downturn for futures and wholesale gasoline and diesel prices. Demand...

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March 9, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Renewables

The Biodiesel Tax Credit: What Does the New Extension Mean?

The $1/gal federal biomass-based diesel blender’s tax credit (BTC) has been extended through 2022.

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March 2, 2020
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Renewables

20 Oil Price Forecasts for 2020

Oil, gasoline, diesel and renewable fuels markets have started 2020 off with a bang. Here are 20 price-influencing factors identified...

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February 24, 2020
Gas & Diesel

U.S. Gasoline Price Trends for Gulf Coast, Northeast and Midwest in 2020

U.S. gasoline prices in 2020 are expected to follow seasonal trends, but OPIS will keep an eye on supply and...

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February 18, 2020
Gas & Diesel

U.S. Diesel Price Trends for Gulf Coast, Northeast and Midwest in 2020

Factors that will determine U.S. diesel price averages this year include the fallout from IMO 2020 regulations, the PES Refinery...

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February 3, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Mexico

Mexico Energy Reform Could Be Put to the Test in 2020

Mexico is poised to test the foundations of energy reform in 2020.

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January 13, 2020
California, Gas & Diesel

California Gasoline Prices Set for a Volatile Decade

Unpredictability and dramatic price movements characterized California gasoline prices in 2019. What is the state of Los Angeles and San...

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December 16, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Mexico, Retail Market

A Decade of Change for Mexico’s Gasoline and Diesel Markets

Mexico has been the setting for one of the biggest energy stories of the past decade.

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November 11, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

How to Buy Wholesale Gasoline and Diesel Using Spot Market Prices

If you buy gasoline and diesel from a wholesale rack, keeping an eye on spot market prices may be your...

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October 28, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

How to Find (and Use!) Your Ideal Gasoline and Diesel Price Report

In the fuel business, price transparency is everything. But how do you know what level of price discovery is right...

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September 30, 2019
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Mexico

Update: Mexico Oil and Gas Market Analysis

A sense of hope emerged for many Mexicans when Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) won the presidential election in July...

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September 23, 2019
Crude oil, Ethanol, Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Beyond Saudi Attacks: 4 Other Oil, Gasoline & Diesel Price Factors to Fear in 2020

Much of the oil, gasoline and diesel price direction in 2020 markets may be determined by whether the Middle East...

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September 17, 2019
Futures Market, Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

How Hurricanes Cause Oil, Gasoline and Diesel Price Changes

Oil price volatility is just a sliver of the massive repercussions that can stem from hurricanes.

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September 9, 2019
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel

Oil Prices in H2 2019: 6 Market Wild Cards to Watch

Oil prices love to improvise.

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July 22, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Summer Driving Season: Is Gasoline Demand Rising or Falling?

Now that summer 2019 driving season is in full swing, gasoline demand moves into focus.

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June 24, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel, Spot Market

Gasoline, Diesel & Jet Fuel 2019 Midyear Price Update

Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices have been volatile in 2019. From political rhetoric to fundamentals, this year is shaping...

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June 3, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

Wholesale Gas & Diesel Terminal Owner Changes

The end of 2018 and the start of 2019 saw new owners for U.S. wholesale gasoline and diesel fuel terminals, with...

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May 20, 2019
Carbon, Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

The California Gasoline Price Rally: What Happened, What’s Next

March and April 2019 were challenging months for California gasoline prices, with retail prices cresting $4/gal.  OPIS’ Lisa Street and...

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May 13, 2019
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Spring 2019 Oil, Gasoline & Diesel Price Trends: Video

May began with a bit of a thud in oil prices. What’s coming next?

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May 6, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

3 Reasons U.S. West Coast Gas & Diesel Prices Are Prone to Volatility

The U.S. West Coast spot gasoline and diesel market is no stranger to dramatic price increases. But, what uniquely makes this...

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April 15, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Behind the California Retail Gas Price Spike: The Price Influence Chain in Action

Average retail gas prices in California have skyrocketed this spring, underscoring how the spot fuel market closely impacts prices at...

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April 1, 2019
Biofuels, Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

Behind the Scenes: Anatomy of an OPIS Gas and Diesel Rack Price

Today we’re taking you behind the scenes at OPIS to show you how our team of analysts collect the wholesale...

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March 25, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Mexico

Mexico Oil and Gas Market Analysis for Q1 2019

The first few months of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s (AMLO) six-year term have brought some extreme changes in the Mexican...

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March 18, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

Gasoline Price Volatility and the 2019 RVP Season

It’s almost spring (never mind that snow!),  but the gasoline market is already thinking summer.

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February 11, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Gasoline Profits Set Records in January 2019

January can be a cruel month for gasoline retailers. It inevitably brings the lowest demand of the year but often higher...

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January 17, 2019
Crude oil, Futures Market, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Oil Prices in 2019: A Quick Video Preview

The year 2019 is already in progress, with headlines dropping daily that rattle the geopolitical chain and stand to keep...

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January 14, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel, Spot Market

Jet Fuel Prices in 2019 to React to Crude, IMO, Strong Demand

For the past two years, consumption of jet fuel by U.S. airlines has been strong, meaning that the annual pace...

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January 7, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

2019 Gasoline and Diesel Prices by Market

Oil price futures are poised for a volatile 2019, if the end of 2018 is any indication.  What will that...

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December 17, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel

2018 Oil Price Recap: Looking Back at an Oddball Year

2018 was one of the odder years in recent oil price memory for several key reasons.

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December 10, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Mexico

What’s Next for Mexico Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Storage

Mexico is poised to make a dent in a major challenge facing the transportation fuels market – terminal storage capacity.

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November 29, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel

Video: Black Friday Sets Lows for Crude, Gas & Diesel Prices

Popular electronics weren’t the only things sporting discounts on Black Friday. Crude oil, gasoline and diesel prices also hit lows. 

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November 7, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Video: Why Are Retail Gas Prices Lower and How Long Will It Last?

OPIS noted prices at retail gas stations this autumn below $2/gal. It wasn’t a common price tag, but overall there...

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October 18, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel

Gasoline, Diesel & Jet Refining: Geography Creates Winners & Losers

“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . . “

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October 16, 2018
Futures Market, Gas & Diesel

Video: Gasoline Futures Prices Drop, But Spot Market Resilient

Oil and gasoline futures prices tumbled last week, largely linked to a drop in the equities market. But, the NYMEX...

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October 15, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Gasoline Market Snapshot Q3 2018

The third quarter of 2018 showed improvement in retail gasoline price margin performance compared to a year ago. Here are...

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October 1, 2018
Crude oil, Futures Market, Gas & Diesel

Video: Early Fall Fuel Price Analysis

OPIS’ Chief Oil Analyst Denton Cinquegrana updates you on the trends he’s watching at the start of fall 2018.

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October 1, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Crude Oil Price Trend Analysis for 2019

The year 2019 may set the stage for a transformative decade, with crude oil prices looking capricious and unstable. Here...

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September 17, 2018
Futures Market, Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

How Diesel Price Hedging Can Guard Against Rising Values

Diesel is the fuel of economic growth both domestically and abroad. The diesel prices you pay are influenced by many factors...

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September 5, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Video: Wrapping Up Summer Oil and Gasoline Prices

Summer 2018 started out with the promise of oil volatility and a rocky ride at retail gas pumps. But, did it...

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August 27, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

What Makes Gasoline Prices Go Up & Down?

Congratulations! You’ve planned an impromptu weekend getaway!  The car is packed. Kids’ iPads are charged. Last thing you need to...

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August 20, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

Improve Gasoline and Diesel Buying with This Surprise Strategy

If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of buyers that pull gasoline and diesel from one of the...

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August 13, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

Wholesale Fuel Terminal Owners: Who’s In, Who’s Out?

 The first half of 2018 saw many new owners for U.S. wholesale fuel terminals, with oil companies coming in and moving...

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July 23, 2018
Biofuels, Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

Wholesale Fuel Pricing: An Inside Look

Your wholesale rack report is filled with critical fuel prices. But where do they come from?

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July 2, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Gasoline & Diesel Prices See Difficult Spring Profit Margins

Gas station operators, distributors and retailers were likely glad to see spring 2018 fade into the past.

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June 11, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Fuel Station Acquisitions Still Red-Hot: Thorntons for Sale?

Mergers & acquisitions have changed the face of the modern retail fuel marketplace. It’s a trend that appears here to...

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June 4, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel, Spot Market

How OPIS Assesses New York Harbor Spot Fuel Prices

Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel trade in the New York Harbor spot market on a full-day basis, with price swings...

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May 21, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Gasoline Price Forecast Summer 2018

Baby, you can drive my car – if you’ve got $2.75-$3 per gallon this summer.

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May 7, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Diesel Fuel Prices Set to Soar This Summer: Three Forecasts

Summer 2018 could get to be a hot one for diesel fuel. High diesel prices are in the forecast, given...

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April 23, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

Fuel Specifications Explained

You may think that all fuel is alike – but it’s not. So, what exactly is fuel specification?

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April 20, 2018
Crude oil, Futures, Gas & Diesel

What the Seven and Seven Oil Cocktail Means For Price Forecasting

The Seven-and-Seven Oil Cocktail Oil pundits predicting a return of $75/bbl or higher benchmark crude prices are delusional. They are...

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April 9, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel

ExxonMobil Trading Strategy Shift Focuses on Refined Products 

Seismic strategic changes are in progress for the world’s largest oil major, ExxonMobil.

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March 26, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Spot Market

Gasoline Price Volatility and the Spring RVP Transition

Spring has sprung – Nor’easters blanketing a huge swath of the United States in snow notwithstanding – but the gasoline...

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February 19, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

Summer Gasoline Prices Potentially Bullish

It may be the middle of the winter season, but some U.S. gasoline traders are already looking ahead to summer. And...

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January 8, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Spot Market

2018 Gasoline and Diesel Prices by Market

The year 2017 saw gasoline and diesel prices shaped by ever-volatile underlying oil prices, supply-and-demand-crippling meteorological events and the push...

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December 4, 2017
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market, Spot Market

A Tale of 2 Seasons: Factors That Shape Fuel Prices During Hurricanes

No two storms are created equal. The unique landfall of every storm is one of the most important factors and critical...

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November 20, 2017
Gas & Diesel, Mexico, Rack Market, Spot Market

Mexico Fuel Price Liberalization Map

 Following passage of energy reforms in late 2013, Mexico’s upstream and downstream gasoline and diesel markets are opening to private investment...

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November 20, 2017
Electric Vehicles, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Post-Petroleum World Hinges on China Electric Car Market

The Netherlands is the latest country to set a date for the demise of the internal combustion engine, joining France,...

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October 23, 2017
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

2017 Year-End Oil Market Trends to Watch

Don’t expect the last 70 days in the 2017 petroleum markets to match the drama witnessed summer into fall. Storm...

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October 19, 2017
Electric Vehicles, Gas & Diesel, Renewables, Spot Market

Strange Bedfellows? Biofuel Producers and Refiners Find Common Foe

Could the ancient proverb “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” point the way toward a rapprochement between U.S....

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October 10, 2017
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel, NGL & LPG, Spot Market

Popping the Bubble of Fuel Freight Rates

Crude oil and refined product futures prices have been sliced in half since the oil price renaissance of 2011-14, but...

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September 21, 2017
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Why Top Tier Gasoline is More Than Just Hype

Top Tier gasoline, containing detergent additives aimed at reducing gunk in your engine, has often been dismissed as hype on...

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September 13, 2017
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

The Lowdown on Typical Payment Terms in Your Fuel Report

OPIS wholesale rack reports were created to provide a font of information about the markets from which you purchase fuel....

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September 12, 2017
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market

How To Read Your Wholesale Rack Report

Your wholesale rack report is an invaluable tool to help you make sure you are not being overcharged by your...

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