Gasoline, diesel may rise next week; kerosene gets rollback
Gasoline and diesel prices are poised for another increase next week, even as relief is forecast for kerosene.
Based on four days of trading on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), gasoline is projected to rise by ₱1.10 to ₱1.30 per liter.
Diesel prices are likely to increase by ₱0.10 to ₱0.30 per liter.
In contrast, kerosene could see a rollback of roughly ₱0.25 to ₱0.45 per liter.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) noted that geopolitical risks continue to threaten global supply.
The bureau cited Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure this week, which could spark another round of supply disruptions.
OIMB Director Rodela Romero also pointed to rising tensions between the United States (US) and Venezuela.
Despite the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, some industry figures maintain a cautious optimism.
Jetti Petroleum Inc. president Leo Bellas suggested that a potential easing of hostilities could still be a factor.
“The middle distillate market softened as prospects for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal eased supply concerns,” Bellas said.
Both Bellas and DOE analysts remain generally optimistic that global supply is ample, with Bellas noting this may be supported by higher exports from China.
However, Bellas added that the Asian gasoline market remains tight: “Asian gasoline prices, on the other hand, remain supported on tight supply and robust regional demand. Gasoline exports from regional refiners have remained low, dragged down by lower volumes out of China and South Korea.”
In the last round of adjustments this week, diesel dropped by ₱2.90 per liter and kerosene was down by ₱3.20 per liter. Meanwhile, gasoline increased by ₱0.20 per liter.