A sudden shift in US policy has put Venezuela back at the center of global oil markets. US and international oil executives are striking different tones on Venezuela after President Donald Trump said the White House will decide which companies are allowed back into the country's oil sector following the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Heavy oil price discounts are already reacting to expectations of increased Venezuelan supply. Can Venezuela meaningfully boost production after years of underinvestment? Who benefits from cheaper heavy crude? Join Jeff Mower, Director of Americas Oil News, as he discusses these issues and more with S&P Global Energy oil policy reporters Kate Winston and Eamonn Brennan, and Patrick Harrington, Americas oil markets manager.

Sweeping changes to crude and product flows following sanctions and tariffs, shipping disruptions and questions surrounding China's demand outlook—oil markets have seen it all in 2025. The year was also a mixed bag for oil investments across the globe amid accelerated push towards clean energy and rising EV usage, while some regions also unveiled concrete plans on refinery expansions.

In this special episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast, Sambit Mohanty, Asia energy editor, John Morley, global director for crude oil, Francesco Di Salvo, global director for refined products, and Jeff Mower, head of Americas oil news, look back at the key drivers for oil markets in 2025 and the themes that are likely to spill over and remain in the spotlight in 2026.

In the winter months, demand for gasoline in Europe softens, and stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub begin to thicken. But recent developments in West African government policy and intermittent maintenance at Nigeria's Dangote refinery have resulted in an unconventionally robust gasoline market, shadowed by an existing tightness in supply. Where have the gasoline markets diverged, and what unusual patterns have we seen in blending economics?

In this episode, host Gary Clark is joined by S&P Global Energy reporters Geraint Moody and Matthew Tracey-Cook to discuss these topics.

The adoption of AI among energy and shipping companies is growing steadily. While it's helping to cut operational costs, boost productivity, and reduce emissions, a shortage of skills, data integration complexity, and trust are posing some challenges. In exploration, AI is helping to analyze complex sub-surface data and improve success rates. In midstream logistics, it is helping to optimize complex route planning and lastly; by deploying AI across refinery operations, oil companies are achieving higher yields in high-value fuels while cutting energy use.

In this episode, Asia Energy Editor Sambit Mohanty discusses with Dave Ernsberger, president of S&P Global Energy, and Arun Biswas, strategic engagements leader at IBM Consulting for Asia-Pacific, some of the themes around AI's ability to influence how energy is produced, traded, and distributed in the years ahead.

Physical differentials in the North Sea crude market and wider Atlantic basin have reached multiyear lows amid high freight rates and market length in the region. While high freight rates are often expected in the last quarter of the year, oversupply and market structure have also come into play.

In this podcast, Emma Kettley, S&P Global Energy's associate director, price reporting, is joined by senior crude oil reporters Natasha Tan and George Delaney to dig into how these fundamentals are impacting the North Sea and West African crude markets.

Global tanker markets are riding high as shipowners post strong third-quarter earnings amid bullish forecasts. What's driving the surge in day rates? Why are newbuilds still lagging even as fleet capacity tightens? How have sanctions reshaped both dirty and clean tanker markets? And could US shipyards stage a comeback in the global shipbuilding race?

Join host Jeff Mower as he discusses these and other related issues with Catherine Kellogg and Binish Azhar.

Europe's 19th sanctions package has promised to shut the door on the last remaining flows of Russian energy still trading into the region, including butane and isobutane that was previously exempted from import bans. From Jan 2026, the new LPG embargo will force lead buyer Poland to find alternatives to Russian supplies, adding support to an already tight European market.

Associate Director, Pricing, for EMEA Clean Refined Products Gary Clark joins LPG Pricing Specialist Barbara Fernandez-Pita and London Oil News Reporter Kelly Norways to discuss Polish preparations for the move, alternative supply routes and potential LPG outlets for an increasingly distressed Russian energy sector.

The US has ramped up its naval presence in the Caribbean, following several strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coast of major oil producer Venezuela. Yet oil prices have barely budged as Latin American production continues to ramp up. What is the role of Guyana and Argentina's emerging crudes, and how do flows to destinations like India fit into Trump's strategy? How are Permian operators responding to sustained low prices?

Jeff Mower unpacks how low oil prices play into the Trump administration's military push in the Caribbean, along with Latin America oil markets reporter Jada Johnson and senior news reporters Ashok Dutta and Eamonn Brennan.

Links:

Vasconia FOB Colombia PCAGI00 Castilla Blend FOB Colombia AAVEQ00 Golden Arrowhead FOB Guyana GOLAH00 Liza FOB Guyana ALIZA00

In this Oil Markets podcast, we discuss the outlook for diesel and jet fuel/kerosene demand in Asia in the fourth quarter of 2025. This period is always critical, but as we approach the end of the year, a complex interplay of seasonal patterns, supply constraints, geopolitical developments, and economic factors is shaping the landscape.

S&P Global Commodity Insights' market reporters, Ng Mei Huey and Pek Michele join Jonathan Nonis, associate director for clean refined products in APAC to discuss these factors and their impact in this podcast.

Following the resumption of Kirkuk crude exports on September 27, 2025, the oil markets are poised for significant shifts. This development marks a crucial turning point for the Mediterranean oil landscape, as the Iraqi grade reenters the market amid ongoing geopolitical dynamics and supply chain adjustments.

In this episode, John Morley is joined by crude oil reporters Luke Stuart and Ernest Puey to explore the potential implications of this reintroduction. They will discuss how the return of Kirkuk crude could affect pricing, regional supply dynamics, and the broader impact on Mediterranean trade flows.

Links:

Bearish sentiment grows across Med sweet crude complex in oversupplied market (subscriber content) Iraqi Kirkuk's return to Europe could further pressure sour differentials (subscriber content) Kirkuk FOB Ceyhan AAEJD00 CPC Blend CIF vs CPC Dated Brent Strip AAHPL00