Questerre Energy (OTCPK:QTEY.F) Update / briefing February 26, 2026 10:00 AM ET Speaker2Michael Binnion.Speaker0Hello.Speaker2Okay. One minute after four, right? I think we can start. Well, welcome, and I think we have quite a few people that are watching online as well. I'm not sure where the camera is, but I'm... Oh, there it is. I'm trusting that it's working, and thank you very much for the audiovisual help. I've already introduced my wife, Maria, that's my biggest fan. Came here. I was a bit concerned, ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. military has boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean as part of efforts to target illicit oil operations linked to Venezuela, which has been under U.S. sanctions for several years [1][5]. Group 1: U.S. Military Operations - The operation involved a "right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding" as stated by the Department of War [1][12]. - The U.S. tracked the vessel from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, emphasizing its capability to enforce maritime law [2][5]. - The Department of War declared that international waters are not a sanctuary for illicit activities, asserting their commitment to denying freedom of movement to such actors [5]. Group 2: Background on Venezuela and Sanctions - Venezuela has relied on a shadow fleet of falsely flagged tankers to transport crude oil due to U.S. sanctions [1]. - In December 2024, Donald Trump ordered a quarantine of sanctioned tankers to increase economic pressure on then-president Nicolás Maduro [4][7]. - The Veronica III, a Panamanian-flagged vessel, was under U.S. sanctions related to Iran and was reported to have left Venezuela with nearly 2 million barrels of crude and fuel oil on January 3, the same day as Maduro's capture [8][9]. Group 3: Implications of the Operation - The operation reflects the U.S. strategy to increase pressure on Venezuela and its connections with other sanctioned nations like Iran and Russia [11]. - The U.S. military's actions are part of a broader initiative to combat illicit oil trade and enforce sanctions effectively [5][12].

Economic Indicators - The headline month-over-month CPI increased by 0.2%, which is 0.1% lower than expected, while the year-over-year headline CPI is at 2.4%, down 0.3% from last month and 0.1% lower than the forecast of 2.5% [2][3] - Core month-over-month CPI rose by 0.3%, aligning with expectations, and the year-over-year core CPI is at 2.5%, which is 0.1% lower than last month [2][3] Energy Sector Impact - Energy prices decreased by 1.5%, with energy commodities down 3.3% and gasoline prices down 3.2% over the last 12 months, reflecting a 7% drop in gasoline prices [3][4] - Fuel oil prices fell by 5.7%, while new vehicle prices increased by 0.1%, and used cars and trucks saw a decline of 1.8% [3] Transportation and Shelter - Airfares increased by 6.12% in the month, while shelter costs rose by 0.2%, with owner's equivalent rent also up by 0.2% [3][4] - Transportation services contributed positively to the CPI report, increasing by 1.4% [4] Market Reactions - Following the CPI report, the market initially showed a decline of 0.3% in futures but later rebounded to an increase of 0.125% due to softer-than-expected inflation numbers [5] - The 10-year yield decreased to 4.09%, indicating a shift in market sentiment [6] Software Sector Performance - The software sector is experiencing significant pressure, with major companies like Microsoft and Palantir facing challenges [7] - Despite the macroeconomic positivity, the microeconomic outlook for the software sector remains uncertain [9] Upcoming Economic Data - Key economic data expected next week includes durable goods, GDP, and personal income and outlays, which will provide further insights into the economic landscape [11]

Core Viewpoint - Vitol is set to export Venezuelan fuel oil, marking a significant move to enhance shipments from Venezuela under a U.S.-backed oil supply agreement following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro [1] Group 1: Company Developments - Vitol is preparing to expand its operations by exporting fuel oil from Venezuela, indicating a strategic shift in its supply chain [1] - The company's actions are aligned with a broader U.S.-backed initiative to stabilize oil supplies from OPEC nations [1] Group 2: Industry Context - The export of Venezuelan fuel oil is part of a larger trend of increasing oil shipments from OPEC countries, reflecting changing geopolitical dynamics [1] - This development may influence global oil markets, particularly in relation to U.S. energy policies and OPEC's production strategies [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Oil, Gas, and Chemical Sector in China - **Outlook Period**: 2026-2028 Oil Market Insights - **Brent Crude Price Forecast**: UBS projects average prices of US$64, US$70, and US$75 per barrel for 2026, 2027, and 2028 respectively [7][10][12] - **OPEC+ Production Cuts**: The second tranche of OPEC+'s voluntary cuts of 1.65 million barrels per day (Mb/d) may conclude in December 2026, with effective production increases expected to be only 40% of the headline numbers [2][24] - **China's Oil Demand**: Anticipated declines in gasoline and diesel demand by 4.4% and 3.7% year-over-year (YoY) in 2025 and 2026 respectively, driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) [2][53] Natural Gas Market Insights - **Asia LNG Price Forecast**: Expected prices of US$12.8 and US$11.5 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for 2025 and 2026 respectively, with long-term prices approaching US$7-8/MMBtu [2][41][47] - **China's Natural Gas Demand Growth**: Projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3-4% from 2025 to 2030, despite a 1% YoY decline in H1 2025 due to various economic factors [48][52] Chemical Sector Insights - **Earnings Recovery**: The petrochemical industry is expected to rebound due to overseas capacity exits and China's anti-involution policies [3] - **Preferred Sectors**: Recommendations include PTA, silicone, and glyphosate sectors, focusing on industries with low profitability and potential for improved utilization rates [3] New Materials Insights - **Lithium Hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6)**: Prices expected to remain strong in 2026, with demand growth outpacing effective capacity growth [4] - **Memory Chip Cycle Recovery**: Anticipated support for earnings rebound for electronic gas and wet chemical producers [4] Stock Recommendations - **Oil Companies**: Favorable outlook for PetroChina A/H, CNOOC A/H, and Sinopec A/H due to expected recovery in oil prices and attractive dividend yields [5] - **Chemical Companies**: Recommendations include Wanhua Chemical, Baofeng Energy, and Hengli Petrochemical [5] - **New Materials**: Positive outlook for Capchem, Sinocera, and Jiemei as beneficiaries of the electrolyte and MLCC cycle recoveries [5] Risks and Considerations - **Oil Price Risks**: Potential upside risks include firmer global economic growth and geopolitical tensions, while downside risks involve a global economic slowdown and weaker compliance from OPEC+ [9][10] - **Natural Gas Market Volatility**: Expected tightness in the global LNG market until 2030, with potential disruptions leading to elevated prices [41][47] Additional Insights - **EV Penetration**: Domestic EV penetration in China has exceeded 50% since April, with expectations to reach 76% by 2030 [54][55] - **China's Crude Imports**: A 3% YoY increase in crude imports in 9M25, attributed to lower oil prices and inventory scaling [60]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A., Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, and Seagate Technology Holdings plc [1][2][3] Company Summaries - **Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. (UGP)**: - Zacks Rank 1 - Current year earnings estimate increased by 51.9% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 1.90 compared to the industry average of 2.45 - Growth Score of A [1][2] - **Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS)**: - Zacks Rank 1 - Current year earnings estimate increased by 4.2% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 2.23 compared to the industry average of 2.68 - Growth Score of B [2] - **Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX)**: - Zacks Rank 1 - Current year earnings estimate increased by 7% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 1.00 compared to the industry average of 1.47 - Growth Score of B [3]

Summary of Weekly Oil Data Industry Overview - The report focuses on the oil industry, specifically crude oil and refined products in the United States. Key Points Crude Oil Inventory and Production - Crude oil inventories decreased by 1.0 million barrels (Mb), contrasting with the consensus expectation of an increase of 1.2 Mb and the 5-year average increase of 1.6 Mb [1] - API data indicated a larger draw of 3.0 Mb [1] - Crude production remained stable at 13.6 million barrels per day (Mb/d) [1] - Refinery utilization increased by 290 basis points week-over-week (w/w) to 88.6% of operable capacity, against a consensus expectation of a decrease of 40 basis points [1] Product Demand and Consumption - Implied oil products consumption rose by 0.3 Mb/d w/w to 20.0 Mb/d, primarily driven by propane, which increased by 0.4 Mb/d [2] - Total demand over a 4-week average remained flat at 20.5 Mb/d [2] Product Inventories - Total product inventories fell by 3.2 Mb to 862 Mb, led by a decrease in gasoline inventories by 2.1 Mb, which was larger than the consensus decrease of 0.8 Mb [3] - Jet fuel and distillate inventories also decreased by 1.5 Mb each, while gains were seen in "Others" (+1.3 Mb), propane (+0.8 Mb), and fuel oil (+0.5 Mb) [3] Detailed Weekly Petroleum Status Report - Crude oil production was reported at 13,629 kb/d, with a slight decrease of 7 kb/d [4] - Crude oil imports increased by 393 kb/d to 5,918 kb/d [4] - Exports of crude oil decreased by 263 kb/d to 4,203 kb/d [4] - Total crude oil stocks were reported at 422.8 Mb, down by 1.0 Mb [4] - Gasoline production increased by 134 kb/d to 9,612 kb/d, while gasoline stocks decreased by 2.1 Mb to 216.7 Mb [4] - Middle distillate production rose by 40 kb/d to 4,632 kb/d, with stocks down by 1.5 Mb to 115.6 Mb [4] Market Dynamics - The report indicates a bullish sentiment in the crude oil market due to the unexpected draw in inventories and increased refinery utilization [1][4] - The overall demand for oil products remains stable, with fluctuations in specific categories such as propane and distillates [2][3] Additional Insights - The report highlights the importance of monitoring both inventory levels and production rates to gauge market conditions and potential investment opportunities in the oil sector [1][2][3] - The data suggests that while there are fluctuations in specific product demands, the overall market remains resilient, indicating potential stability in oil prices moving forward [2][3] This summary encapsulates the critical data and insights from the weekly oil report, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of the oil industry in the United States.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the oil industry, particularly crude oil and petroleum products, with insights into market dynamics and seasonal impacts on demand and supply [1][2][10]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Crude Oil Fundamentals**: Despite softer fundamentals, OPEC+'s production return is impacting crude oil prices, with inventories building and Brent crude prices pressured towards $60/bbl [1][2]. 2. **OECD Inventories**: OECD commercial crude oil inventories are building, with a preliminary monthly stock increase of over 10 million barrels, contributing to downward pressure on Brent prices [2]. 3. **Dangote Refinery Issues**: Uncertainties surrounding Nigeria's Dangote refinery operations are affecting gasoline supply, with a significant reduction in gasoline output due to operational challenges [3][20]. 4. **Gasoil Crack Spreads**: Gasoil crack spreads are currently wide due to low stocks, but are expected to moderate in 2026 as refinery production strengthens and demand flattens [4][24]. 5. **Winter Demand Projections**: Potential for wider gasoil cracks this winter exists due to the possibility of a cold winter and geopolitical tensions, which could temporarily boost demand for heating fuels [5][25]. 6. **Kerosene Demand**: Demand for kerosene is expected to moderate, but a cold winter in East Asia could lead to price increases due to its use as a heating fuel [6][39]. 7. **Geopolitical Tensions**: Recent de-escalation in geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, may reduce the price premium on oil, impacting market dynamics [10][12]. 8. **Managed Money Positioning**: Managed money positioning in Brent and WTI is at its second lowest in the last decade, indicating potential for a price rebound if geopolitical tensions escalate or if winter demand spikes [16][18]. 9. **Price Forecasts**: The base case price forecast for Brent is $63/bbl in 4Q25 and $60/bbl in 1Q26, with a bear case suggesting lower averages of $55/bbl and $50/bbl respectively [17]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Refinery Margins**: Refining margins have been climbing throughout the year, indicating improved profitability for refiners [27][29]. 2. **Weather Analysis**: The report includes a weather analysis suggesting a milder winter in the US, colder conditions in East Asia, and normal temperatures in Europe, which could influence energy demand [7][51]. 3. **La Niña Impact**: NOAA forecasts a potential La Niña winter, which typically brings colder conditions to Northeast Asia and warmer, drier weather to the southern US [52][55]. 4. **Stockpiling Trends**: China's oil purchases have slowed, potentially allowing the market to front-run its purchases, which could eventually support oil prices again [12][38]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the oil industry.

Economic Pressures and Energy Market Shifts - The US 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has increased to 6.34% from 6.30%, indicating rising borrowing costs that may affect housing market activity [2][8] - The global energy sector is experiencing an unexpected surge in fuel oil demand due to disruptions in the Red Sea and the emergence of a shadow fleet, leading to volatility in energy prices and supply chains [3][8] Geopolitical Tensions Dominate Headlines - Russian President Vladimir Putin has made statements blaming Europe for the lack of peace in Ukraine and has expressed gratitude to BRICS nations and others for their peace efforts [4][5] - Putin has suggested that Russia may consider countermeasures to European militarization while dismissing claims of an imminent attack on NATO as hysteria [5][8] - The White House has indicated that military strikes in Venezuela are not off the table, suggesting a potential escalation in US foreign policy [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - The domestic fuel oil futures market is experiencing a downward trend, with significant price fluctuations and a notable decline in demand and supply dynamics [1][2]. Group 1: Market Performance - On June 25, the fuel oil futures main contract opened at 3062.00 CNY/ton, with a maximum of 3071.00 CNY and a minimum of 2996.00 CNY, reflecting a decline of approximately 6.11% [1]. - Domestic fuel oil sales reached 44,600 tons, a decrease of 2,800 tons or 5.91% from the previous month [1]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The supply side is affected by reduced exports from Russia and Iran, while Singapore's imports remain high, leading to an overall surplus in the market [2]. - The domestic fuel oil inventory rate increased to 9.0%, up from 7.1%, indicating a rise of 1.9 percentage points [1]. Group 3: Geopolitical Factors - The ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel has alleviated concerns over Middle Eastern supply disruptions, although tensions remain due to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities [2]. - The geopolitical situation in the Middle East is expected to influence fuel oil prices, with potential for further escalation [2].