Cement News tagged under: natural gas

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Petcoke prices rising on growing demand while coal is falling as supply increases

01 February 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvol, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark lAs China reopens, oil is finding support, seeing a recovery in oil prices to surpass the US$85 mark. The warm winter in Europe and lower gas prices are taking off the pressure for demand in the region. However, Russia’s discount is still in place for countries that do not sanction Russian gas supplies (China, India and Turkey). Meanwhile, coal prices are falling as supply increases and demand is dropping as the fear of recession impacts mark...

Energy complex under interest rate pressure – coal falls sharply on lower demand while petcoke stable and discount neutral

20 December 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Leading central banks raised rates again by 0.75 per cent, with promises of more to come as inflation is persistent as sanctions are still keeping energy prices artificially high in Europe. The EU has not agreed on any common measures as these are very hard to introduce in a free market. However, the threat of demand destruction combined with a warm start to the winter has put pressure on the overall energy complex. Gas prices have been ...

Coal and gas lower, while petcoke continues upwards, driven by demand from India and China

25 October 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The same geopolitical factors as last month are dominating the energy markets. The persistently-high inflation is driving the agendas of the central banks with higher interest rates, stating they will push even harder despite a looming recession. As industry and citizens save energy due to the high prices, demand in many markets is contracting sharply. Politicians are trying to introduce different measures in the EU to curb prices with wind...

Petcoke stops fall

12 October 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Since ICR’s most recent energy report, the energy markets are fearing an upcoming recession due to higher rates to curb inflation. Oil has fallen below US$90 despite OPEC+ decreasing output. Moreover, coal prices are also dropping despite European demand. API4 is currently at US$295. Meanwhile, Russia is offering large discounts, but the market continues to be driven by recession fears. Steam coal & petcoke prices FOB Petcoke pric...

Oil falling below US$90, coal and gas surge to new highs – petcoke may resume upward curve, but still buyers’ market

29 September 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The perfect storm has hit European energy end users, as EU sanctions against Russian energy exports are now backfiring in terms of prices and supply security. The EU is currently working on different packages to curb prices, but this will be extremely challenging if a free and market-based price structure is wanted. At the same time, drought and a reduction in nuclear power generation is adding to the severe supply situation as gas prices have...

Larestan plant switches to gas

07 September 2022, Published under Cement News

To reduce the burning of mazut, an eco-unfriendly fuel, at the Larestan Cement Plant in Fars Province, Iran, the works has now been connected to the national gas grid. A 35km-long pipeline will supply the plant with 20Mm 3  of gas each year, reducing the burning of mazut by 25Ml annually, reports the Financial Tribune. Mazut is a low-quality heavy fuel oil containing 2-3.5 per cent sulphur, often used in power plants and similar applications. 

Petcoke discounts higher as coal rises on EU sanctions and petcoke falls as demand-supply eases

22 July 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Energy markets are kept between higher prices due to supply distress, including strikes in refineries for higher wages and the impact of sanctions on Russia. In addition, pressure from inflation rates at 40-year highs is leading to higher lending interest rates and a potential recession. This will lead to lower demand in the cement and other sectors. The US Federal Reserve increased rates by 0.5 per cent and more hawkish actions are likely...

Oil prices up while coal and petcoke are stabilising

08 June 2022, Published under Cement News

Since ICR’s most recent energy report , the energy complex is awaiting the impact of sanctions on Russia and the risk of an economic slowdown. Oil prices increased to US$100-115 on the back of the EU’s potential sanctions on Russian oil. Coal is stabilising after rising on demand before the sanctions in August with Russia offering a discount. High-sulphur petcoke (6.5%) 40HGI FOB USGC – historical view 2007-22 Meanwhile, petcoke stabilised on a high discount on current le...

Energy complex awaits impact of sanctions on Russia

29 April 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Since ICR’s most recent energy report , the energy complex remains in range, awaiting the impact of sanctions on Russia. Oil is down on the release of 240mbl from the Strategic Petroleum (SPR) in the US and EIA countries, ranging between US$95-115. EU sanctions on Russian coal from August 2022 are driving coal higher. High-sulphur (6.5%, 40HGI) FOB petcoke price, historical view 2006-22: expected range US$165-200. Resistance at US$...

Oil falls after considerable release of reserves, coal rallies after EU sanctions and propels petcoke to new highs

25 April 2022, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The markets were still firmly driven by any news from Russia’s war on Ukraine: peace talks will lead to a falling market while new sanctions increase upward pressure. The coal markets were extremely impacted by the EU ban on Russian coal imports from August. However, this will create opportunities for cheaper coal in countries not part of the embargo. The euro testing the lower part of the US$1.07-1.12 range is still also reflecting high...