Argus Media

Welcome to this Methanol Market Puts-and-Takes podcast episode, part of the Chemical Conversations series. 

In this episode, Senior Analyst Cassidy Staggers talks with Dave McCaskill, Argus VP of Methanol and Derivatives on:

·  Continued impacts from the war in Iran

·  Global market update on prices, trade flows and supply and demand

·  Update on low-carbon methanol projects and post-IMO spring meeting reflection

Argus offers methanol prices, news, analysis, forecasts, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial.

Argus and CME Group discuss the price signals, trading activity and risk tools emerging around higher-GHG ethanol.

In this episode, Anna Prokhorova (Senior reporter - waste feedstocks, Biofuels, Argus Media) is joined by Arezki Djelouadji (partner, Greenea) to explore the reasons behind the disconnect — from UCO’s structural pricing link to Ucome, to the role of blend walls, growing demand from HVO and SAF, and the rise of feedstock flexibility.

They also look at shifting global trade flows and what changing US policy means for European markets, and why short-term signals differ from the longer-term outlook.

Asian LPG markets are settling into a new reality as the Strait of Hormuz closure enters its third month. Deputy Editor Waldemar Jaszczyk and Singapore-based LPG Editor Frances Goh examine how the biggest buyers of Middle East cargoes — India and China — are coping with prolonged supply disruption through pivot to US barrels and sharp demand reduction. They also assess whether the recent trade-flow re‑routing will last and what it could mean for regional pricing benchmarks.

This episode was recorded on 1 May 2026

Global energy markets are at a turning point—and the Middle East is right at the center. Supply remains constrained by regional tensions, while demand continues to hold strong, especially across Asia. The United Arab Emirates is redefining its role within OPEC, signaling a shift toward greater production independence and long-term strategy over collective control.

Join Tom Reed, VP – China, Crude and Oil Products and Dubai‑based experts Nader Itayim, Middle East Editor and Sarah Raffoul, Manager-Analytics and Consulting in this exclusive video insight. 

Hear Argus’ essential analysis of how the Middle East conflict is impacting the potash market and discover why potash stands out as an anomaly – with demand rising despite the war, defying historical trends. This episode focuses on production, logistics, prices, the lack of demand destruction, future risks, key takeaways and what to watch out for next.

Join Mike Nash, Senior Editor – Fertilizers and Julia Campbell, Global Editor - Potash as they discuss these topics in the latest episode of Argus' Fertilizer Matters podcast series.

Key questions answered in this podcast:

Related links

Strait of Hormuz disruption is putting bitumen markets under pressure across Europe and Africa, tightening supply, driving up prices and forcing buyers to rethink purchasing and project plans.

Host Irina Vinogradova (Senior Manager, Analytics & Consulting) is joined by Argus experts Keyvan Hedvat (Europe & Africa Editor, Argus Bitumen Reports) and Oliver Thompson (Analyst, Europe Consulting Team) to break down where the pressure is building most, how the market is responding and what it means for the months ahead.

Key themes:

Please note, this podcast was recorded recently during ongoing market volatility. For the latest insights and data, explore Argus bitumen and asphalt coverage

With tensions in the Middle East continuing to escalate, this episode breaks down the outcome of Project Freedom, Iran’s creation of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, and the implications for global shipping and negotiations. It also explores evolving ceasefire proposals and the impact on Gulf economic stability.

Join Tom Reed, VP – China, Crude & Oil Products, alongside Dubai-based experts Nader Itayim, Middle East Editor, and Bachar Halabi, senior correspondent, for this exclusive discussion.

A closer look at how shifting trade routes and constrained transit are changing propane market dynamics in Europe and beyond.

The European propane market has begun to decouple from global price movements, lagging further behind Asia‑Pacific gains with each passing week. With around 30% of global seaborne supply removed from the market following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, tightening conditions might have been expected to affect all buyers. Yet, Europe has so far remained relatively insulated.

One of the key reasons for this asymmetry lies along the most important artery for eastbound flows of US product, the Panama Canal. Persistent congestion and limited transit availability continue to reshape trade routes and alter regional market balances.

Argus International LPG editor Peter Wilton is joined by associate editor Efcharis Sgourou to unpack the fundamentals driving this divergence in European propane markets and to assess what it could mean for the fuel’s outlook in the months ahead.

A disponibilidade de embarcações para escoamento de petróleo em alto-mar é um gargalo para a expansão da produção do pré-sal. Participantes de mercado temem que a frota de navios DP seja insuficiente para atender ao crescimento da produção nos próximos anos. Acompanhe a conversa entre Conrado Mazzoni, gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios da Argus, e João Scheller, responsável pela precificação de petróleos na América Latina. 

Alguns dos temas discutidos neste episódio:

Frota de navios DP no Brasil e no resto do mundo

Expansão da infraestrutura logística e portuária

Aumento da produção petrolífera e das exportações