Exploring Digital Asset Strategies to Inform Future Capital InnovationWOODS CROSS, Utah, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sky Quarry Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYQ) (“Sky Quarry” or “the Company”), an integrated energy company focused on sustainable resource recovery, is pleased to announce the launch of a crowdfunding offering by its wholly owned subsidiary, Foreland Refining Corporation. Shifting fuel markets across the Western U.S. are creating a unique opportunity for regional producers. Nevada currently imports a ...

HOUSTON and TOKYO, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (including its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Par Pacific”), Mitsubishi Corporation (“Mitsubishi”), and ENEOS Corporation ("ENEOS”) today announced the signing of definitive agreements to establish Hawaii Renewables, LLC (“Hawaii Renewables”), a joint venture to produce renewable fuels at Par Pacific’s refinery in Kapolei Hawaii. Mitsubishi and ENEOS will form Alohi Renewable Energy, LLC, which will acquire a 36.5% equity stake i ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the oil industry in China Core Insights - Chinese apparent oil demand showed year-on-year growth for the first time in three months, increasing by 160 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) to 15.9 million barrels per day (mb/d) in May, driven by strong demand for petrochemicals and travel fuels during the Labour Day holiday [3][6] - Crude imports fell by 720 kb/d month-on-month (MoM) and 90 kb/d year-on-year (YoY) in May, attributed to peak refinery maintenance and high inventory levels [52][61] - Refinery throughput decreased by 200 kb/d MoM, with offline capacity reaching 2.1 mb/d due to maintenance at major state-owned refiners [5][64] - Diesel demand weakened, falling by 60 kb/d MoM and 220 kb/d YoY, influenced by the penetration of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and a struggling real estate sector [12][15] - Jet fuel demand rose by 55 kb/d MoM, supported by increased travel during the Labour Day holiday, although it was down 120 kb/d YoY [26][34] Summary by Sections Supply and Demand - Chinese apparent oil demand increased by 1% YoY in May, with strong naphtha demand as refiners replaced US LPG and ethane imports [3][6] - Crude imports softened further in May, with Iranian crude imports dropping by 40% MoM due to sanctions risk and high inventory levels [4][53] - Refinery throughput fell by 200 kb/d MoM, with all major state-owned refiners offline during peak maintenance [5][64] Product Exports and Imports - Refined product net exports weakened in May, with diesel exports reduced due to strong domestic margins [6][67] - Total product exports fell by 180 kb/d MoM and 220 kb/d YoY, driven by lower gasoline and fuel oil exports [68][93] - LPG imports decreased by 230 kb/d MoM due to a 125% tariff on US LPG, which was later reduced to 10% [76][41] Inventory Data - Crude stocks built rapidly in May, adding approximately 33 million barrels due to low refinery demand [156] - Observable product inventories drew by around 20 million barrels in May, with significant draws in diesel and gasoline stocks [157][161] Refining Data - Gasoline cracks averaged $14.0/bbl in May, down $2.0/bbl from April, while diesel cracks rose to $21.4/bbl [112][113] - Refinery output of diesel and gasoline declined in May, with jet fuel output increasing due to higher demand [141][147] Trade Quotas - China has released two batches of clean product export quotas for 2025, totaling 31.8 million tons, slightly lower YoY [98][100] - The allocation of quotas primarily favors state-owned companies, with Sinopec and PetroChina receiving about 72% of available quotas [98][100]

Key Points Summary Industry Overview - The focus is on the refined products market, particularly gasoline and naphtha, with insights into seasonal price trends and supply-demand dynamics in the context of the summer season [1][2][3][6][12]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Supply-Demand Balance**: The clean products supply-demand balance remains tight, with production incentives favoring middle distillates when crude oil supply constraints are eased. The market's ability to withstand supply disruptions or unexpected demand is currently insufficient [2][3]. - **Seasonal Performance**: Historically, the RBOB crack spread has shown strong seasonal performance, with 7 out of the last 10 Julys experiencing price increases, averaging $2 per barrel. The maximum increase recorded was $8.1 per barrel, while the largest decrease was $3.2 per barrel [3][6]. - **Production Constraints**: Current production levels are at the lower end of the range compared to the past decade, primarily due to crude oil supply restrictions. Despite the easing of production cuts, OPEC+ heavy sour crude exports have not rebounded, impacting distillate production [3][12]. - **Hurricane Season Risks**: The hurricane season poses significant risks to supply, particularly in the Gulf Coast, where approximately 50% of U.S. refining capacity is located. Disruptions could lead to a temporary loss of refining capacity ranging from 500,000 to 2.5 million barrels per day [3][12]. - **Regional Performance Disparities**: There are notable differences in performance between Eastern and Western products, with Eastern products generally underperforming. The average return for European gasoline over the past decade has been particularly strong, with 8 out of 10 years showing positive returns [13][14]. Additional Important Insights - **Crack Spreads and Returns**: The average return for various products in July has been positive, with naphtha and gasoline showing particularly strong performance. The average return for European gasoline was $8.3 per ton, indicating attractive risk-reward dynamics [7][13]. - **Market Sentiment**: The market sentiment is cautious due to geopolitical risks and the potential for supply disruptions, which could further tighten the supply of gasoline and distillates [2][12]. - **Future Outlook**: The outlook for refined products remains optimistic, with expectations of increased middle distillate production if crude oil supply improves. However, the market remains sensitive to external shocks, particularly during the hurricane season [2][3][12]. Conclusion - The refined products market is characterized by tight supply-demand dynamics, strong seasonal performance, and significant risks associated with external factors such as hurricanes and geopolitical tensions. The potential for increased production exists, but market participants should remain vigilant regarding supply disruptions and regional performance disparities.

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the oil industry Core Insights - Global oil demand averaged 104.3 million barrels per day (mbd) through June 24, showing year-over-year growth of 410 thousand barrels per day (kbd), but 130 kbd lower than the forecasted growth of 540 kbd for June [4] - Visible OECD commercial oil inventories decreased by 10 million barrels (mb) during the third week of June, with crude oil inventories dropping by 9 mb and oil product stocks falling by 1 mb [4] - Global liquid inventories have increased for the fourth consecutive week, rising by 9 mb in the third week of June, with a month-to-date build of 39 mb in June [4][5] Summary by Sections Oil Demand - US gasoline and jet fuel demand remained strong due to seasonal travel, while industrial fuel consumption was weak, with propane and distillate demand at post-pandemic lows [4] - Year-to-date global oil demand growth is at 1.01 mbd, closely aligning with the revised forecast of 1.06 mbd [4] Inventory Trends - OECD liquid stocks shifted from a 4 mb build in the first two weeks of June to a 6 mb decline, with crude inventories down by 21 mb and product inventories up by 15 mb [4] - The accumulation of oil product stocks has accelerated in June, marking the highest rate of build in 13 months [5] Regional Insights - South Korea reported a year-over-year decline in oil consumption statistics for May, with total oil demand in eight European economies declining by 30 kbd YoY in January [30][73] - Naphtha demand in East Asia remained stable despite initial disruptions, while Southeast Asian imports may face risks due to increased tariffs [4]

Summary of China Oil Data Digest - April 2025 Industry Overview - The report focuses on the oil industry in China, summarizing supply, apparent demand, and trade data for April 2025. Key Points Apparent Demand and Supply - Chinese apparent oil demand decreased by 410 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) year-on-year (YoY) in April, primarily due to refinery maintenance impacting product supply and leading to a rapid build-up of crude stocks [2][5][11] - Apparent diesel demand fell by 110 kb/d month-on-month (MoM) and was down 9% YoY, aligning with weakening manufacturing PMIs [11][18] - Apparent gasoline demand dropped 13% YoY to 3.16 million barrels per day (mb/d), with a 150 kb/d decrease from March [21][27] - Jet fuel demand weakened sharply, falling by 145 kb/d MoM and 19% YoY, although total flight numbers increased slightly [30][36] Crude Imports and Exports - Chinese crude imports softened in April but still reached a seasonal record of 11.7 mb/d, with a 370 kb/d MoM decrease but an increase of 830 kb/d YoY [3][7][58] - Imports of Iranian oil fell by 530 kb/d MoM due to increased caution among refiners following US sanctions [3][60] - Strong imports from Russia and Brazil were noted, as Chinese refiners opted for cheaper grades amid high premiums for Middle Eastern crude [3][61] Refinery Operations - Refinery throughput dropped sharply by 740 kb/d MoM due to intensified seasonal maintenance, particularly at Sinopec [4][65] - Independent refiners increased utilization rates to a 14-week high of 47.5% to capitalize on stronger domestic margins [4][132] - Overall, refinery runs were down 180 kb/d YoY, marking the second consecutive month of decline [126][130] Product Exports and Imports - Refined product net exports weakened in April, driven by tighter supply and weak export margins, leading refiners to retain more supply domestically [5][73] - LPG imports increased by 140 kb/d MoM, reaching an all-time high for April, as buyers stocked up amid rising US-China trade tensions [40][78] - Naphtha imports are expected to strengthen in May and June due to increased attractiveness as a feedstock following high tariffs on LPG [49][50] Economic and Trade Context - The manufacturing PMI index fell to 49.0 in April, indicating contraction and reflecting the impact of US-China trade tensions [8][11] - The overall outlook for Chinese trade remains gloomy, with export growth expected to decelerate to 0% for 2025 [13][12] - The Chinese government released a second batch of clean product export quotas for 2025, totaling 12.8 million tons, slightly down from the previous year [98][101] Inventory Changes - China's crude stocks built rapidly, adding approximately 36 million barrels in April, while observable product inventories drew by 7.1 million barrels [158][165] - Diesel stocks drew by 4.0 million barrels, and gasoline stocks drew by 3.1 million barrels, driven by healthy demand for public holiday travel [159][163] Future Outlook - The YoY reduction in diesel demand is expected to widen further as the negative effects of tariffs on domestic manufacturing continue [16] - Despite a high level of refinery outages in April, which supported margins, a weakening outlook for demand is anticipated in the second half of 2025 [115][125] Additional Insights - The report highlights the significant impact of geopolitical factors, such as US sanctions and trade tensions, on China's oil demand and supply dynamics [12][60][136] - The shift in crude sourcing from Middle Eastern suppliers to Russian and Brazilian grades indicates a strategic response to pricing pressures and sanctions [61][64] This summary encapsulates the critical data and insights from the April 2025 oil data digest, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the Chinese oil industry.

Company Overview - Integrated Rail & Resources Acquisition Corp. (IRRX) has entered into a 7-year supply and offtake agreement with Shell Trading (US) Company (Shell) for crude oil feedstock supply and refined product purchases [1][2] - The facility to be acquired by IRRX will initially process 15,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with potential expansion to 50,000 barrels per day [2] Operational Details - The facility will produce LPG, Naphtha, Diesel, and Gas Oil, with operations expected to commence by December 31, 2026, following necessary refurbishment [2] - Shell Trading (US) Company will have the option to utilize the additional processing capacity once the facility is expanded [2] Strategic Importance - The agreement is seen as a significant step for IRRX in refining and marketing high-demand products, supporting the Uinta Basin's development [3] - The CEO of IRRX expressed confidence in the agreement, highlighting the benefits for all parties involved and the capabilities of the team to refurbish and restart the refinery [3] Background Information - Tar Sands Holding II, LLC (TSHII), established by Endeavor Capital Group, controls key real estate and natural resource development rights in the Uinta Basin, including permits for processing and refining [4] - IRRX is a blank check company focused on mergers and acquisitions in natural resources, railroads, and related logistics [5]

Core Points - Integrated Rail & Resources Acquisition Corp (IRRX) has entered into a 7-year supply and offtake agreement with Shell Trading (US) Company for crude oil feedstock and refined products [1][2] - The facility to be acquired by IRRX will initially process 15,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with potential expansion to 50,000 barrels per day [2] - Operations are expected to commence by December 31, 2026, following the acquisition and refurbishment of the facility [2] Company Overview - IRRX is a blank check company focused on mergers, acquisitions, and business combinations, particularly in natural resources and railroad logistics [5] - Tar Sands Holding II, LLC (TSHII), established by Endeavor Capital Group, controls key real estate and natural resource development rights in the Uinta Basin, Utah [4] Strategic Importance - The agreement with Shell is seen as a significant step for IRRX to enhance its refining capabilities and support the Uinta Basin's development [3] - The partnership aims to create value through the production of high-demand refined products such as LPG, Naphtha, Diesel, and Gas Oil [2][3]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry but discusses the implications of tariffs on natural gas liquids (NGLs) and their flows, particularly ethane and propane, in the context of US-China trade relations [5][17]. Core Insights - US tariffs on China plastics and reciprocal tariffs from China threaten to disrupt global NGL flows, particularly affecting ethane and propane, which are key petrochemical feedstocks [2][5]. - China’s NGL imports from the US have surged from below 50 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) in 2019 to nearly 900 kb/d in 2024, with a significant dependency on US ethane and propane [2][13]. - The report anticipates a moderate decline in US ethane flows to China due to lower US production and reduced demand from China, which may lead to a decrease in Henry Hub prices [2][26]. - Propane flows are easier to redirect compared to ethane, but full substitution of US propane exports will be challenging, necessitating deeper price discounts to attract buyers [2][3]. Summary by Sections Tariff Implications - US tariffs on energy imports are currently exempt, but significant tariffs on plastics threaten NGL flows [5][6]. - The reciprocal 125% tariff imposed by China on US imports is expected to skew the tariff burden towards the US over time [2][31]. Ethane and Propane Market Dynamics - Ethane imports from the US are critical for China, accounting for 60% of US ethane exports, while propane accounts for one-third [17][20]. - Ethane's specialized shipping and processing infrastructure complicate redirection efforts, while propane can be redirected more easily [3][20]. - The report outlines potential adjustment mechanisms for both ethane and propane markets in response to tariffs, highlighting the challenges and likelihood of each mechanism [20][25]. Production and Pricing Outlook - The report predicts a decline in US ethane and propane production due to tariff impacts and market adjustments, with potential price declines for both commodities [26][57]. - US ethane prices have already dropped by 25% since early April, while propane prices have decreased by 20% following tariff announcements [57][58]. - The long-term outlook suggests that lower US NGL production may offset some tariff impacts on petrochemical demand in China [2][60].