Today, Ukrainian Transit Operator OGTSU annouced force majeure on gas deliveries from Russia to Slovakia (Velké entry point) due to damages of facilities in occupied territory which cannot be accessed for repairs.
In part 2 we explained the potential of more local production & illustrated the need for policy corrections such as building German LNG regasification terminals.
Diesel - the work horse fuel of the modern economy - is mooning as we are short everything.
More precisely, wholesale Diesel prices in the US are up >100% since January 1st while crude oil prices are "only" up 38%.
1/n 🧵
Step by step. What does it mean to pay $5.35 per gallon in barrels last Thursday?
A barrel contains 42 gallons, so that $224/barrel. Canada was even worse while Cuba tries to keep its regime going (by subsidising prices at the pump).
2/n
Don't feel bad if you are based in North America because Diesel prices in Europe are even worse due to higher taxes.
Take Germany - the land of diesel cars & no speed limit. Here people pay US$2.2/liter or the equivalent of $344 per barrel. How about that for cheap energy?
In part I we explained that Europe must replace 150bcm of Russian gas imports to help support the end of the Russian genocide in Ukraine.
It will also be the recipe to reduce the current risk-premium in gas prices & avoid long-lasting food shortages or a refugee crisis.
2/n
We explained that...
- (1) higher LNG imports from optimised infra & capacity utilisation can deliver up to 90bcm or 62% of 150bcm if free market prices can continue to "pull" LNG into Europe;
- (2) one-off storage potential of up to 25bcm (one winter) to buy some time...
Basics first: How much gas does Europe need to replace (not just the EU, UK et al too)?
Answer: Europe purchased 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas from Russia, imported from 3 pipelines & 15bcm in the form of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) by sea.
2/n Source: Burggraben
Why is it important to cut Russian gas?
Because it finances Putin's genocide in Ukraine which in turn pushes gas prices up. That destroys businesses and - for heaven's sake - creates food shortages with a subsequent refugees crisis.
What do farmers need to to maximise crop yields of wheat, corn or soybeans?
Answer: they need 3 fertilisers, namely Nitrogen (ammonia), Phosphorus & Potassium. The mix varies by region but the world cannot be fed without the three.
More observations on EU/US sanctions on Russia & possible implications on logistics disruption.
In April, India bought Russia crude for frist time ever. It bought 15mb in April according to news, altough we yet only measure 9mb as at 17 April 2022 through @Kayrros.
1/4
How much crude needs to be diverted to Asia if self-sanctioning (or EU ban) bites? At least 2.9mbpd of Russian Urals in EU (1.6-1.8mbpd seaborne; 1.3mbpd Druzhba pipeline system into the EU) need to be diverted. So far, seaborne loadings increased in March! Time will tell.
2/4
What does it mean to divert 1.8mbpd seaborne Urals away from Europe & into Asia? According to our calculation, it would increase ton-miles by a factor of 6 (!) & voyage time by a factor of 5 (!). In other words, Russian crude voyages will jump from 15 to 75 days on average.