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.
Refineries undamaged by northeastern Japan earthquake
Refineries undamaged by northeastern Japan earthquake
Tokyo, 20 April (Argus) — A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan today. Domestic refineries were undamaged by the earthquake, Japanese refiners told Argus . The earthquake took place offshore northeastern Iwate prefecture at around 16:52 Japan time on 20 April, according to Japan meteorological agency. The agency issued tsunami warnings to the coastal areas of Iwate, Aomori and northernmost Hokkaido prefectures. An 80cm tsunami was reported in Iwate prefecture, while smaller ones were reported in several prefectures such as Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, according to the agency. Japanese refiner Idemitsu has a 140,000 b/d refinery in Hokkaido prefecture. But this refinery was not affected by the earthquake, Idemitsu said, adding that the Hokkaido refinery has continued operations and the refiner's other refineries were not affected either. Fellow refiner Eneos has a 145,000 b/d Sendai refinery in Miyagi prefecture, but this refinery has been halted since 16 April after a gas leak. Eneos reported no damage by the earthquake to its refineries, including the Sendai refinery, according to the company. Japanese refiner Cosmo Oil's refineries were also not affected, the firm said. By Kohei Yamamoto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australian fuel stocks exceed levels before US-Iran war
Australian fuel stocks exceed levels before US-Iran war
Sydney, 20 April (Argus) — Australia's fuel stocks are higher than at the outbreak of the US Iran war, energy minister Chris Bowen said on 18 April. Australia held fuel stocks equivalent to 31 days of gasoil consumption, 30 days of jet fuel and 46 days of gasoline under its minimum stockpile obligation (MSO) on 14 April, data released on the same day show. Volumes include those in country storage and cargoes located within Australia's exclusive economic zone. Australia's fuel requirements are contracted until the end of May, Bowen added. Fuel suppliers are required to report stocks every Tuesday and prove compliance with the MSO under federal law by Friday. MSO data were published quarterly prior to the US Iran war but shifted to weekly disclosures in early March . Australia had average holdings equivalent to 32 days of gasoil consumption, 29 days of jet fuel and 38 days of gasoline, according to the most recent quarterly MSO figures, covering September–December 2025. The Australian government will allow domestic sales of 50ppm sulphur gasoline until the end of September, extending earlier temporary relaxations introduced in March. The initial waiver permitted refiner Ampol to sell gasoline above the national 10ppm sulphur limit for 60 days and allowed imports of 50ppm material. From September, suppliers will be permitted to blend higher sulphur gasoline into the broader fuel pool at lower rates until 31 December, Bowen said. Suppliers subject to the MSO can paper trade S-21 tickets with other importers to ensure compliance. An S-21 ticket is a ticket for one litre of gasoil, jet fuel or gasoline. Gasoil remains the tightest market for MSO compliance and the requirement became more stringent after the mandated gasoil stock levels increased from 1 July 2025 to 32 days of cover for importers and 20 days for refiners Viva Energy and Ampol. Viva is typically long on S-21 tickets thanks to its lower days of consumption requirements owing to its 120,000 b/d Geelong refinery. Lower distillates output at Geelong could mean it has less tickets to offer other importers who could be short of their MSO requirements. Importers had their MSO requirements for gasoil and gasoline lowered by 20pc in an attempt to boost supply after a surge in demand from panic buying led to service stations running dry in regional areas. Meanwhile, the fire at Viva's Geelong refinery on 15 April was confined to the alkylation unit, while processing units including the crude distillation and reformer units remain unaffected. The residue catalytic cracking unit (RCCU) is temporarily off line as part of stabilisation efforts. The RCCU unit was restarted in mid-October 2025 following a major maintenance. Viva expects production of diesel, jet fuel and gasoline to return to above 90pc of capacity in coming weeks, subject to plant inspections. The Geelong refinery does not typically process Middle Eastern crude, sourcing supplies mainly from North and South America, southeast Asia and Australia. Viva said it has secured crude supply through July, with high confidence of continued availability. Around one-third of Viva's transport fuel sales are supplied by the Geelong refinery, with the remainder largely met by imports from the Asia Pacific region through its partnership with Vitol. By Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Vessels attacked as Iran reasserts control of Hormuz
Vessels attacked as Iran reasserts control of Hormuz
Singapore, 18 April (Argus) — Two vessels came under attack in the Mideast Gulf on Saturday, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the Royal Navy-operated shipping security authority. The incidents followed Iran's decision to reassert control over shipping through the strait of Hormuz. Tehran said on Friday that the waterway would be open for the duration of the current US-Iran ceasefire. But the country's military leadership has since said passage has returned to the strict control of Iran's armed forces , citing the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports. In one incident, the master of a tanker reported being fired upon by the Iranian navy about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. Two Iranian navy gunboats opened fire on the unnamed tanker without prior warning over radio communications, according to the master's report. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe, UKMTO said. Separately, a container vessel reported being hit by an unidentified projectile about 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The ship, which was not identified, reported damage to containers but no fire. The latest incidents add to a list of attacks on commercial shipping in the Mideast Gulf since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran on 28 February. By Sean Lui Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Ships abort Hormuz transit attempts
Ships abort Hormuz transit attempts
Singapore, 18 April (Argus) — At least 21 vessels that attempted to leave the Mideast Gulf following a brief reopening of the strait of Hormuz were forced to turn back, vessel tracking data show, after Tehran reimposed transit restrictions in response to the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Tracking data indicate that at least 15 of the vessels were tankers across all size classes. Most of the ships had been trapped in the region since the US-Iran war began on 28 February. They appear to have moved after a short-lived opening was signalled on Friday, when Iranian foreign minister Seyed Araghchi announced that the strait would be open. US president Donald Trump said shortly afterwards that the waterway was completely open. But Iran has since reversed course , saying Hormuz would not remain open while the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place and that transit had returned to strict military control. The rapid change in the status of Hormuz transits has raised questions about US president Donald Trump's comment on Friday that Washington was "very close" to a full deal with Tehran. By Sean Lui Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. 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.
