Diesel Crack Spread Explodes To Record As Russia Weighs Longer Export Ban, US Eyes Its Own
Diesel futures and refining spreads climbed to record highs as worsening supply disruptions in the Gulf and Russia tightened availability of the industrial fuel that powers the global economy.
Potential export restrictions, or at least extending risk, are compounding the squeeze: Moscow is reportedly considering extending its diesel export ban, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Tuesday he was “open to exploring” a US diesel export ban.
Nymex heating oil futures, the US benchmark for diesel, jumped 6.1% Tuesday to their highest settlement in records dating to 1986. European gasoil futures climbed 6.2% to a record in data going back to 1989.
The squeeze was even more severe in refining spreads. The US heating oil crack, which measures the difference between fuel and crude prices, surged to $117 a barrel on Wednesday morning, the highest level in Bloomberg data going back to 2009.
Moves in diesel and refining spreads show the energy shock isn’t necessarily in crude available on global markets but is, in fact, festering deep inside the industrial fuel market as a global refining crisis.
Russia is considering extending its diesel export ban through October, potentially adding pressure as the Northern Hemisphere approaches winter.
Barclays refining and midstream analyst Theresa Chen commented to clients on Tuesday about Thune’s comments on a potential US diesel export ban. She said, “Given renewed discussion surrounding a diesel export ban, we discuss the potential implications across our refining coverage. We continue to view the possibility of an export ban as both detrimental to the US refining complex and unlikely to provide the intended price relief.”
At the start of the week, Bloomberg Intelligence senior commodity strategist Mike McGlone warned that the diesel price shock echoes similar moves gasoline made during the 2008 energy shock.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 09/16/2026 – 09:45