16 Comments

There is a lesson here from 1970's oil price controls. It all looks pretty much the same in a tank. Where did it come from one may ask? The certificate of origin says one place, but who really knows? I was a crude buyer for a refinery that turned a blind eye to certificate swapping. We made a fortune. All goods will eventually clear the market at a price. Cheers

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Irina Slav

Thanks, great read again!

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Irina Slav

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then I'm sure it will get us out"...this is how I have summarized this post in my mind.

Expand full comment

"Then, of course, there is the question of whether the EU will not actually continue to import Russian crude and products..."

Sanctions only hit the ships so the pipes still carry gas. That is of course until Russia decides to turn of the taps off for those EU nations who don't want to pay in Rubles. Next down the line I hear is Denmark and the Netherlands.

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Irina Slav

great stack. honestly, my foray into understanding energy markets better this past year, while somewhat lucrative, has been depressing. i like oil better when it was just oil. no russian? no problem, just get "oil" some place else! i don't expect politicians to actually know what they are talking about. i do expect them to consult real domain experts - seems either they don't, or they ignore, or the "experts" are just selling them what they want to hear. most "experts" are grifters at this point.

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Irina Slav

and what about the API gravity of that shale oil? it is not around 30 neither it is medium sour, but some Olmeca and Istmo mixes from Mexico are

Expand full comment
Jun 2, 2022Liked by Irina Slav

Another great piece. I love finding these in my e-mail in the morning.

Expand full comment
Jun 2, 2022Liked by Irina Slav

Oh...brilliant, as always, but boy, o boy, how did that "Central European sucklings" of Russian pipeline oil hurt. It is true, though, and basically, considering the dependency, there's nothing else to do than what Orban did.

Expand full comment