Oil products
Overview
Argus has been bringing price transparency to the oil industry since 1970, providing valued insight into all refined products and biofuels markets globally.
Our range of industry-leading price benchmarks, all informed by the most robust methodologies, provide a true reflection of how the markets operate and are relied upon across the value chain to facilitate global trade.
Our experts are embedded in local markets across the world and are in constant contact with market participants for the latest spot market intelligence. Their insights underpin our price assessments and market analysis, enabling our clients to make the most effective decisions for their business.
Oil products market coverage
Argus is the leading independent provider of market intelligence to the global energy and commodity markets. Our price assessments and market intelligence are available for every kind of refined oil product. Explore the coverage most relevant for your industry.
Latest oil products news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global oil products industry.
Brazil's Bolsonaro put under police surveillance
Brazil's Bolsonaro put under police surveillance
Rio de Janeiro, 18 July (Argus) — Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been fitted with an ankle monitor after police raided his home in the capital Brasilia, the latest in a series of court-ordered measures that point to a worsening of his legal situation that could deepen tensions between Brazil and the US. Bolsonaro — who is on trial before the supreme court for an attempted coup — has been ordered to remain at home during certain hours and has been banned from social media and from communicating with foreign diplomats and other defendants. The new measures imposed by the court come in the wake of US President Donald Trump's threat to impose 50pc tariffs on imports from Brazil starting 1 August. Trump said the threat is linked to Bolsonaro's prosecution, calling the trial a "witch hunt". In a 47-page court filing, justice Alexandre de Moraes argued that Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo, a federal congressman, sought help from the US government to pressure Brazilian authorities to interfere in the legal process, calling it a "blatant assault on national sovereignty." Eduardo is in the US and has met with Trump several times to lobby in favor of his father. In response to the latest measure, Eduardo called Moraes a "political gangster in robes" who is "trying to criminalize Trump and the US government". In a televised address on Thursday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the tariff threat "unacceptable blackmail in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions". His government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to seek a solution to the impending tariffs . Speaking to journalists on Friday morning, Bolsonaro offered to appeal to Trump directly to resolve the issue. He denied attempting a coup or having plans to flee the country. His passport was seized by authorities in February 2024. By Constance Malleret Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Natref bitumen supply ends early for Prax
Natref bitumen supply ends early for Prax
London, 18 July (Argus) — UK-based Prax has ceased bitumen supply from its joint-venture Natref refinery in Sasolburg, South Africa, after selling off its remaining stock ahead of a planned maintenance shutdown. Prax, which owns 36.4pc of the 107,000 b/d refinery alongside Sasol with 63.3pc, told customers in late June that it would no longer have bitumen to sell once inventories were depleted. Market participants said the company confirmed in early July that all volumes had been sold. The refinery began a partial maintenance shutdown on 14 July, scheduled to run until 8 October. Both shareholders had previously announced that bitumen production would end in September, but the maintenance has brought forward Prax's exit from the market. Sasol continues to supply bitumen by truck to regular contract customers, but availability is limited, according to buyers. Some buyers reported difficulty securing pen 70/100 bitumen, a key grade used in South African road construction. The halt in bitumen production is part of a broader plan to switch Natref's crude slate to sweeter grades, aimed at maximising output of light and middle distillates. This shift will also reduce production of other heavy products, including high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), market participants said. Natref was the last refinery in South Africa producing bitumen. Its exit from the market means the country will now rely entirely on imports to meet domestic demand. Prax did not respond to a request for comment. The halt comes as Prax faces financial difficulties in the UK, where its Lindsey refinery is under the control of a court-appointed receiver. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Trump tariff threats stall Brazil tallow exports
Trump tariff threats stall Brazil tallow exports
Sao Paulo, 17 July (Argus) — Brazilian beef tallow export sales discussions with US buyers have stalled following President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 50pc tariff on all Brazilian imports. New deals for the biodiesel feedstock into the US will become unfeasible if the tariff comes into effect on 1 August , according to market participants, who said sales discussions that were at an advanced stage before the tariff threat have been suspended. On 4 July, the week before Trump's unexpected 9 July announcement, the Argus indicator for beef tallow exports traded at ports in Brazil's south and southeast stood at $1,120/metric tonne (t) and at $1,388/t for beef tallow traded in the US Gulf. But since then bids to buy and sell have stopped, leaving prices last assessed on 11 July as flat to the 4 July price. The US is the primary importer of Brazilian tallow, taking in 97.5pc of exports of the fat in 2024, according to trade ministry MDIC. The end of exports to the country would represent an unprecedented crisis for the segment, cutting off the main flow of animal fat to foreign markets and limiting activity to occasional deals covering small volumes. The 50pc levy also risks putting downward pressure on prices for the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of beef tallow flowing witin Brazil's domestic market. Uncertainty had been hanging over the market since the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released on 13 June a proposal for US biofuel blending in 2026 and 2027 that could significantly cut RIN credits generated from imported biofuels or those produced from foreign feedstocks. But the EPA proposal also stipulates that US oil refineries will need to blend 5.61bn USG of biomass diesel to meet the requirements in 2026, an 67pc increase from 2025 volumes requirements. That expected increase in biomass diesel demand appeared to outweigh US refiners' concerns about credit reductions as acquisition of foreign tallow continued throughout the first half — especially from Brazil, which the US had slapped with 10pc import duties in April. Brazil exported 235,665t of tallow in the first half of the year, up from 147,950t in the same period in 2024, according to MDIC data. Market participants consider exports to be viable even with the current 10pc levy, but the threat of bigger tariffs has exporters closely monitoring the evolution of the trade dispute between the two countries. By João Marinho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Germany's Heide refinery to undergo maintenance Sep-Oct
Germany's Heide refinery to undergo maintenance Sep-Oct
London, 17 July (Argus) — Klesch's 84,000 b/d Heide refinery in north Germany will undergo maintenance from 10 September to 8 October, impacting bitumen output, it has told customers. In an email seen by Argus , Klesch notified customers that its refinery will shut down one of its production units for a month, affecting bitumen production for September and October. It is unclear at this time if the maintenance will impact production of other products at the refinery. Market participants said Klesch will also slightly reduce its bitumen term volumes for certain customers and there will be no bitumen spot volume sales over the maintenance period. Klesch declined to comment. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
Explore our oil products services
Whether you’re looking for independent spot price assessments or long-term market analysis, we have the solutions you need for the refined oil and biofuels markets. Explore the range of our services.
Key price assessments
Argus prices are recognised by the market as trusted and reliable indicators of the real market value. Explore some of our most widely used and relevant price assessments.
