The United States is producing more crude oil than ever. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude production is on track to average a record 13.8 million barrels per day in 2026, surpassing the previous record set last year. Yet diesel prices recently climbed to record highs, while distillate inventories remain unusually low.
The EIA expects those inventories to stay below the five-year range through much of 2027, with stocks falling below 100 million barrels for the first time in more than two decades. At first glance,…
Refining & Products Context
Downstream margins — or crack spreads — have experienced considerable volatility as refinery operators navigate feedstock cost fluctuations, product demand seasonality, and evolving fuel specifications. Gasoline and distillate margins serve as key profitability levers for integrated refiners.
Refinery utilization rates, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Northwest European hubs, directly influence product availability and pricing. Unplanned outages, scheduled turnarounds, and weather-related disruptions are recurring factors that tighten regional product supply.
What to Watch
Key metrics to watch include refinery utilization rates, weekly distillate inventory builds or draws, and crack spread movements, which serve as real-time indicators of refining profitability across major processing hubs.
Read original article at OilPrice.com