Episode 139 - OPEC is..undecided | South Korean-flagged tanker seized by Iran | China’s Wintry Cold Lifts Diesel

OPEC news:OPEC+ is still undecided as to whether it will increase productionRole of additional lockdowns being announced during break between OPEC meetingsAlso role of Qatar—Saudi end of airspace blockadeSouth Korean-flagged tanker seized by Iran, media reportshttps://www.reuters.com/article/iran-tanker/update-1-south-korean-flagged-tanker-seized-by-iran-media-reports-idUSL1N2JF0L8- Is this the next big conflagration?- how much is this related to sanctions? South Korea is holding $7 billion of Iranian money because of US sanctions- Are Iranians forcing the hand of the incoming US administration to see where they stand?Oil prices touch multi-month highs as OPEC+ expected to cap outputhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil/oil-prices-touch-multi-month-highs-as-opec-expected-to-cap-output-idUSKBN299035- price fall today more related to US stock market falling than what’s specifically happening with oil- What about China?Saudi energy minister urges OPEC+ discipline as some members seek output gainshttps://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/010421-saudi-energy-minister-urges-opec-discipline-as-some-members-seek-output-gains- Saudi—Russia in very different positions but the stakes aren’t as high as they were back in March 2020. Fewer barrels bpd and another monthly meeting coming up.OPEC secgen says ready to adjust oil output increaseshttps://uk.reuters.com/article/oil-opec/opec-secgen-says-ready-to-adjust-oil-output-increases-idUKL8N2IJ3OWChina’s Wintry Cold Lifts Diesel Use as Factories Buy Generatorshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-03/china-s-wintry-cold-lifts-diesel-use-as-factories-buy-generators- bottlenecks like import restrictions. Leaving coal on the boat in the ocean. It’s paid for and sitting in China’s harbors.December diesel demand crawls up to 97% of pre-pandemic level http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/80063323.cms- mixed indicators of good and bad economic growth, just like in the U.S.Investors challenge ExxonMobil on multiple frontshttps://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2173720-investors-challenge-exxonmobil-on-multiple-fronts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit energyweek.substack.com