US Oil Tightness Persists Amid Rising Nat Gas Exports
The US oil market remains tight due to strong refinery demand and exports, leading to a sharp decline in crude inventories according to the EIA. This has resulted in elevated gasoline crack spreads reflecting tight global gasoline supplies.
Natural gas, however, is experiencing increased production with the first half of 2026 seeing an average of 17.4 Bcf/d of US LNG exports - a 23% increase over 2025.
This rise in exports has been driven by new capacity additions at Plaquemines, Corpus Christi Stage 3, and Golden Pass.