The Biden administration surprised many last week in granting a sanctions waiver to the company building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The move allows work to continue on the almost-finished project, despite long-standing US opposition on the grounds that it will increase Germany's dependence on Russian gas supplies. We spoke with US Senator Kevin Cramer, Republican-North Dakota, who introduced a bill to reinstate the Nord Stream 2 sanctions. The pipeline is expected to be completed this summer, possibly before the next State Department report is due to Congress in mid-August. Cramer also gives his outlook for North Dakota oil production, the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Interior Department’s leasing ban.

Russia sanctions fight heats up in Congress as Biden gives pass to Nord Stream 2

In-depth weekly analysis of US energy policy news from S&P Global Commodity Insights senior editors covering the Capitol. Hosted by Jasmin Melvin.

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 Nigeria's Dangote refinery, built at a cost of $20 billion and is Africa's largest, has started exporting naphtha to North Asian markets at a time when the clean tanker market is witnessing prolonged firmness. The naphtha flow from Dangote is adding to the ton-mile demand in the clean tanker sector and this could be boosting the clean tanker market in the short- to medium term.     Associate editorial director for Asia Freight, Pradeep Rajan, discusses about West African naphtha flow and its impact on the clean tanker market with Sameer Mohindru, senior editor, Asia clean tanker market, and associate editor Zoey Ng, who covers Asia naphtha market.

Naphtha flow from Africa's Dangote refinery boosting product tankers

Economic power-house China has set out 10 targets for 2024, which is pro-growth for oil demand, keen on energy security, and prioritizing accelerated industry modernization and development of new productive forces. In this episode of Platts Oil Markets podcast, Managing Editor for refined oil products, Wanda Wang has invited China experts Grace Lee, Asia analyst from the AltView team, Sijia Sun, Associate Director, China Oil Market, and Oceana Zhou, Oil Market Specialist, to discuss the oil-market related highlights following China’s “Two Session” meetings -- the biggest annual political gathering in the country, which happened over March 4-11.

What's next for oil following China's announcement of its 2024 targets?

After several great years, Capitol Crude is coming to an end. We want to thank all our listeners for tuning in and supporting us over the years. Going forward, you can find Jasmin and Kate contributing to other S&P; Global Commodity Insights podcasts, including Platts Oil Markets, Commodities Focus, and Future Energy. For our last episode, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers joined the podcast to give the rundown on the policies and rulemakings that could have the biggest impact on the oil sector. He also shared how the sector is coping with the elections frenzy and how who ends up in the White House for the next four years could shape the industry’s future.

Policies, politics and partings

The Environmental Protection Agency last April pitched its strongest-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and trucks. But reports have surfaced that the EPA may be planning to soften that regulation. Dave Cook, senior vehicles analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists, joined the podcast to share why he believes any weakening of the car rule would be a bad idea. He pushed back on critics’ assertions that the proposal was unachievable and gave his take on the importance of vehicle electrification for meeting broader climate goals. Stick around for Chris Van Moessner with the Market Minute, a look at near-term oil market drivers.   Related content: AFPM latest to launch lobbying effort over new US EPA emissions standards EPA sends auto emissions rule for White House review, signaling progress toward final rule

Rumored weakening of tailpipe emissions rule would move US in wrong direction, analyst says

The US Department of Energy in late January hit “pause” on its work issuing key LNG export permits. About 30 million mt/year of probable export capacity additions in the US and Mexico are at risk because of the permitting hold. Climate activists have celebrated the White House decision as a massive win, while industry groups have warned that it could endanger future LNG projects and undermine the role of the US as an LNG exporter. But Arvind Ravikumar, co-director of the Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab and a professor within the University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, believes this is the wrong debate to be having. S&P; Global Commodity Insights Americas LNG reporter Corey Paul caught up with Ravikumar for the podcast. And Ravikumar shared his perspective on the way we should be thinking about the future of US LNG exports. Stick around for Jeff Mower with the Market Minute, a look at near-term oil market drivers.   Related content: We are having the wrong debate about Biden’s decision on liquefied natural gas: Arvind Ravikumar  White House declares pause on key US LNG export permits, policy review US producers tout LNG growth outlook despite regulatory uncertainty US Senate weighs long-term impact of Biden's LNG permitting pause (subscriber content) 

Russia sanctions fight heats up in Congress as Biden gives pass to Nord Stream 2

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