Primer on Crude Oil Crack SpreadEver dreamt of being an oil refiner? Fret not. You can operate a virtual refinery using a combination of energy derivatives that replicates oil refiner returns.
Crude oil is the world’s most traded commodity. Oil consumption fuels the global economy. Crude is refined into gasoline and distillates.
Refining is the process of cracking crude into its usable by-products. Gross Processing Margin (GPM) guides refineries to modulate their output. Crack spread defines GPM in oil refining.
This primer provides an overview of factors affecting the crack spread. It delves into the mechanics of harnessing refining spread gains using CME suite of energy products.
UNPACKING THE CRACK SPREAD
Crack spread is the difference between price of outputs (gasoline & distillate prices) and the inputs (crude oil price). Cracking is an industry term pointing to breaking apart crude oil into its component products.
Portfolio managers can use CME energy futures to gain exposure to the GPM for US refiners. CME offers contracts that provide exposure to WTI Crude Oil ( CL ) as well as the most liquid refined product contracts namely NY Harbor ULSD ( HO ) and RBOB Gasoline ( RB ).
Crude Prices
Crude oil prices play a significant role in determining the crack spread. Refining profitability is directly impacted by crude oil price volatility which is influenced by geopolitics, supply-demand dynamics, and macroeconomic conditions.
Higher oil prices lead to a narrowing crack spread. Lower crude prices result in wider margins.
Expectedly, one leg of the crack spread comprises of crude oil.
Gasoline Prices
Gasoline is arguably the most important refined product of crude oil. Gasoline is not a direct byproduct of the distillation process. It is a blend of distilled products that provides the most consistent motor fuel.
Gasoline prices at the pump in the US vary by region. Price differs due to differences in state taxes, distance from supply sources, competition among gasoline retailers, operating costs in the region, and state-specific regulations.
CME’s RBOB Gasoline contract provides exposure to Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (RBOB). It is procured by local retailers, who blend in their own additives and sell the final product at pumps.
RBOB is blended with ethanol to create reformulated gasoline. It produces less smog than other blends. Consequently, it is mandated by about 30% of the US market. RBOB price is thus representative of US gasoline demand.
Each CME RBOB Gasoline contract provides exposure to 42,000 gallons. It is quoted in gallons instead of barrels. The contract size is equivalent to one thousand barrels like the crude oil contract.
Distillate Prices
Distillate or Heating Oil is another important refined product of crude oil. Distillate is used to make jet fuel and diesel. Demand for distillate products is distinct from gasoline demand.
A substantial portion of the North-East US lack adequate connection to natural gas. Hence, the region depends on HO for energy during winters making HO sensitive to weather.
CME NY Harbor ULSD contract ("ULSD”) provides exposure to 42,000 gallons of Ultra-low sulphur diesel which is a type of HO. ULSD contract is also equivalent to one thousand barrels.
Chart: ULSD Price Performance Over the Last Twenty Years.
TRADING THE CRACK SPREAD
The crack spread can be expressed using the above contracts in three distinct ways:
1) 1:1 SPREAD
This spread consists of a single contract of CL on one leg and a single contract of one of the refined products on the other. This spread helps traders to express their view on the relationship between single type of refined product against crude oil. It is useful when price of one of the refined products diverges from crude oil prices.
1:1 spread is also useful when there are distinct conditions affecting each of the refined products.
2) 3:2:1 SPREAD
This spread consists of (3 contracts of CL) on one leg and (2 contracts RBOB + 1 contract of ULSD) on the other leg. The entire position thus consists of six contracts. It assumes that three barrels of crude can be used to create two barrels of RBOB and one barrel of HO.
This trade is better at capturing the actual refining margin. It is commonly used by refiners to hedge their market exposure to crude and refined products.
3:2:1 spread is used by investors to express views on conditions affecting refineries.
3) 5:3:2 SPREAD
Spread consists of (5 contracts of CL) on one leg and (3 contracts of RBOB + 2 contracts of heating oil) on the other leg. This spread captures the actual proportions from the refining process. However, it is much more capital-intensive.
FACTORS IMPACTING CRACK SPREAD
Seasonality, supply-demand dynamics, and inventory levels collectively impact crack spreads.
Seasonality
Mint Finance covered seasonal factors affecting crude oil prices in a previous paper . In that paper, we described that crude seasonality is influenced by variation in refined products demand.
In summer, gasoline demand is higher, and, in the winter, distillate demand is higher.
Seasonal price performance of the three contracts is distinct leading to a unique seasonal variation in various crack spreads. Summary performance of the three spreads is provided below.
Chart: Seasonal price performance of Crude, its refined products, and their spread (excluding years 2008, 2009 and 2020 in which extreme price moves were observed)
Refiners strategically time their operations based on seasonal trends, ramping up refinery capacity ahead of peak demand in summer and winter. This involves building up inventories to meet anticipated high demand.
However, this preparation often results in a narrowed spread just before peak utilization. As the spread reaches its lowest point, refiners take capacity offline for maintenance.
Subsequently, crack margins begin to expand as refined product supplies dwindle, aligning with decreased crude oil consumption. This results in a gradually increasing spread through high consumption periods.
Supply/Inventories
Supply and inventories of crude oil and refined products influence crack spreads. When inventories of refined products remain elevated, their prices decline narrowing the spread.
When the production and inventory of crude oil is elevated, its price declines leading to a widening spread.
On the contrary, low inventories of refined products can lead to a wider crack spread and low inventories of crude oil leads to a narrower crack spread.
Demand
Refinery demand has a self-balancing effect as higher refining requires higher consumption of crude which acts to increase crude oil prices.
Demand for crude oil and refined products is broadly correlated. However, there are often periods when demand diverges on a short-term scale.
Economic activity and available supplies drive demand for refined products. During periods of high economic growth, refined product consumption is robust pushing their price higher.
Demand for refined products can precede or lag demand for crude oil from seasonal as well as trend-based factors. This lag can be identified using the crack spread. Sharp moves in crack spread pre-empt moves in the underlying which act to normalize the spread.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
There are two trends defining the crack spread currently:
1) Divergence in demand & inventories of gasoline and distillates: Low demand for gasoline is evident due to expectations of an economic slowdown while gasoline inventories remain elevated. Though, distillate consumption remains high as inventories are declining and lower than the 5-year average range.
Chart: Divergence in inventories of distillate and gasoline (Source – EIA 1 , 2 ).
Moreover, inventories of gasoline and distillates are higher than usual. Both factors together have led to a gloomy outlook for refined product demand. Gasoline stocks have started to increase while distillate stocks are still declining.
When refined product inventories are elevated investors can position short on the crack spread in anticipation of ample supply. Conversely, if refined product inventories are low, investors can position long on the crack spread.
Chart: Divergence in refined product inventories in US (gasoline rising and distillate declining).
2) Declining crude price and tight supplies: In September, Saudi Arabia and Russia announced supply cuts extending into January. Globally, this led to a supply deficit of crude oil. Supplies of crude in the US was particularly stressed as refiners increased utilization to build up inventories while margins were high and exacerbated by a pipeline outage.
Chart: Crude Oil inventories in US have stabilized in September and October.
Following increase in oil prices, refining activity has slowed, and supplies have become more stable.
When inventories of crude are stable or elevated, it indicates less demand from refiners. Investors can opt to position long on the crack spread anticipating ample crude supply.
Chart: US Refinery Utilization and Crude Inputs have slowed in October.
Although, crude oil supply cuts from Saudi are going to continue until January 2024, there is no longer a deficit as consumption has slowed down.
Together, both trends have caused a sharp collapse in the crack spread. Value of the 3:2:1 crack spread has declined by 50% over the past month.
Prices of refined products have been affected more negatively by low demand than crude oil. Inventories and supply situation for refined products is more secure than crude oil. Still, seasonal trends suggest an expansion in crack spread once refined product inventories start to be depleted.
HARNESSING GAINS FROM CHANGES IN CRACK SPREAD
Two hypothetical trade setups are described below which can be used to take positions on the crack spread based on assessment of current conditions.
LONG 3:2:1 SPREAD
Based on (a) sharp decline in crack spread which is likely to revert, and (b) seasonal trend pointing to increase in the crack spread, investors can take a long position in the crack spread. This consists of:
• Long position in 2 x RBF2024 and 1 x HOF2024
• Short position in 3 x CLF2024
The position profits when:
1) Price of RBOB and ULSD rise faster than Crude.
2) Price of Crude declines faster than RBOB and ULSD.
The position looses when:
1) Price of Crude rises faster than RBOB and ULSD.
2) Price of RBOB and ULSD declines faster than Crude.
• Entry: 63.81
• Target: 79.12
• Stop Loss: 55.73
• Profit at Target: USD 45,930 ((Target-Entry) x 1000 x 3)
• Loss at Stop: USD 24,240 ((Stop-Entry) x 1000 x 3)
• Reward/Risk: 1.89x
LONG 1:1 HEATING OIL SPREAD
Based on relative bullishness in distillate inventories plus stronger seasonal demand for distillates during winter, margins for refining heating oil will likely rise faster than gasoline refining margins. Focusing the expanding crack margin on a 1:1 heating oil margin spread can lead to a stronger payoff.
This position consists of Long 1 x HOF2024 and Short 1 x CLF2024 .
The position profits when:
1) Price of ULSD rises faster than Crude.
2) Price of Crude declines faster than ULSD.
The position will endure losses when:
1) Price of Crude rises faster than ULSD.
2) Price of ULSD declines faster than Crude.
• Entry: 36.15
• Target: 42.79
• Stop Loss: 32.3
• Profit at Target: USD 6,640 ((Target-Entry) x 1000)
• Loss at Stop: USD 3,850 ((Stop-Entry) x 1000)
• Reward/Risk: 1.72x
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Crack spread refers to the gross processing margin of refining (“cracking”) crude oil into its by-products.
Refined products RBOB and ULSD can be traded on the CME as separate commodities. Both are representative of demand for crude oil from distinct sources.
There are three types of crack spread: 1:1, 3:2:1, and 5:3:2.
a. 1:1 can be used to express views on the relationship between one of the refined products and crude.
b. 3:2:1 can be used to express views on the refining margin of refineries.
c. 5:4:3 can give a more granular view of proportions of refined products produced at refineries but is far more capital-intensive.
Crack spreads are affected by seasonality, supply, and inventory levels of crude and refined products, as well as demand for each refined product.
A low-demand outlook for refined products of crude is prevalent due to expectations of an economic slowdown.
MARKET DATA
CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
DISCLAIMER
This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. Please read the FULL DISCLAIMER the link to which is provided in our profile description.
Crude Oil Futures WTI (CL1!)
$CL1! / $USOIL LongsHi, today i will bring you an idea of a USOIL Long Setup, in this case i'm using basic concepts, considering the war of Israel vs Palestine too, i'm searching for longs since we will have an IRL>ERL Cycle as we had in LTF, which is where we took the Weekly FVG on OTE and then went for OTE again and reacted to the OB, now i expect us to take the pending Daily FVG and then make a pullback to the last Sell Side Liquidity Zone using it as a Breaker to strengthen our move straight to Half of the Monthly BISI where we will enter in longs.
CRUDE OIL (WTI): Intraday Bearish Confirmation?! 🛢️
Retesting a broken daily horizontal structure,
Crude Oil formed a tiny double top pattern on an hourly time frame.
The neckline of the pattern was broken after the market opening with a gap
and a consequent strong bearish candle.
We can anticipate a further bearish continuation.
Goals: 75.9 / 75.5
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WTI OIL Hit both bearish targets. Time to buy again?WTI Oil (USOIL) hit both our 79.00 and 75.00 targets on the H&S sell call we made (see chart below) on October 30:
The trend on the 1D time-frame evolved into a Channel Down that broke below the 1D MA200 (orange trend-line) but hit on Wednesday it's bottom (Lower Lows trend-line) and is so far holding. As the 1D RSI touched the 30.00 oversold barrier, we have a strong buy signal emerging as every time in the last 2 years the 1D RSI got oversold, Oil always rebounded to reach the 1D MA50 (blue trend-line) at least.
The 1D MA50 has been the Resistance since October 24 and as Support 1 (73.85) is very close, we turn bullish again after a long time to target the top of the Channel Down at 82.00.
Notice that this correction got closer to the 1W MA200 (red trend-line) which is the ultimate long-term Support and the one that held on 5 different times from mid March to June (closed all 1W candles above it and eventually led to September's High).
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Crude Oil Futures ~ Golden Pocket Support (2H Intraday)NYMEX:CL1! intraday mapping/analysis.
Crude Oil Futures finding support on Golden Pocket + lower range of descending parallel channel (white dashed) confluence zone after flat bottom break, while hovering above lower range of ascending parallel channel (green) + 66% Fib confluence.
Price action accumulating while digesting recent sell-off
Bias leaning towards bullish reversal to re-test break aka "return to scene of crime", TBC
Heavy confluence zone(s) underneath to keep price elevated (unless wrecked by major economic/geopolitical news catalyst)
Breakout above accumulation to validate bullish reversal &/or tap parallel channel (green) + 66% Fib confluence & rip back up to trigger fake dump/liquidity grab
Eyes on US Yields for correlation (linked via Related Ideas)
Set alerts - wait for trade to setup - hyper-awareness for potential oil manipulation by either OPEC+ or US (SPR refill narrative)
Crude Oil Futures ~ November TA Outlook (4H Intraday)NYMEX:CL1! chart mapping/analysis.
Note: TradingView chart B-ADJ adjusted for contract changes
Crude Oil Futures capitulating from early October rally despite ongoing Middle East tensions & geopolitical uncertainty.
Only macroeconomic narrative/headwind that would override war escalations is increasing probability of global recession-induced demand destruction, IMO.
Notes:
Flat bottom pattern development = bias towards bearish price action, TBC.
Crude Oil = highly manipulated trade with ongoing short-risk from Saudi Arabia &/or Russian market intervention - trade at your own risk to capital.
CRUDE OIL (WTI): Detailed Technical Analysis & Trading Plan 🛢️
Important update for WTI.
Price action analysis.
Important key levels.
Potential scenarios.
Trading recommendations.
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WTI CRUDE OIL: Very dangerous 1W MACD Bearish Cross formed.WTI Crude Oil materialized our 78.50 short term target (chart at the bottom) and crossed under the 1D MA200. This is a breach of potentially serious consequences as it also breached the 1W MA50, so we need to monitor the closing on a weekly scale. If it closes under it, the bearish trend is very likely to be extended. The formarion of a MACD Bearish Cross on the 1W timeframe can be very dangerous as the last one that happaned while the price breached the 1W MA50 was on June 13th 2022, the market High after the Russia invasion peak.
If the market does close the week under the 1W MA50, we expect a rebound on the Channel Down bottom near 76.00 and if the candles close under the 1W MA50, fresh short targeting the 1W MA200 (TP = 71.00).
See how well our prior idea has worked:
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CL1! Crude Oil Day Trade 7-Nov-2023TRADE DIRECTION: SHORT; as indicated by the 4H-EMA 50 (yellow line) and the market structure.
KEY LEVEL: Round numbers S&R with 50 ticks range between each level.
TRIGGER SIGNAL: Doji and bearish pin bar (red arrows) with price failed to close above 79.50.
RR: 1:1
SL: 100 Ticks
TP: 100 Ticks (achieved)
CL1! Crude Oil Day Trade 6-Nov-2023The price seems not able to close below the 81.00 level. The 5 green arrows showed that buyers keep on pushing the price upward. As a Day Trader, this is an opportunity for a counter-trend trade, because it is obvious that we are in a downtrend at the 4-hour chart.
TRADE DIRECTION: Long
KEY LEVEL: 81.00
TRIGGER SIGNAL: Bullish pin bar (yellow arrow), supported by other bullish reversal candles (green arrows).
Entry: 81.00
Stop Loss: 80.00
Profit Target: 82.00 (100 ticks of profit achieved)
Risk to Reward Ratio - 1:1
CRUDE OIL (WTI): Bearish Movement Continues 🛢️
Update for WTI Crude Oil.
The price nicely respected the underlined supply zone that we spotted earlier.
We can see how nicely the price reacted to that yesterday.
We may expect a bearish continuation now.
Goal - 78.56
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WTI CRUDE OIL Expecting a rebound on the MA200 (1d).WTI Crude Oil has been declining rather sharply since September 28th and today's green (1d) candle should give way to a new low tomorrow.
Based on the (1d) RSI sequence, this fall resembles the fractals of November 2022 and April-May 2023.
Both rebounded to the 0.5 Fibonacci level after pricing their respective bottoms.
Trading Plan:
1. Sell on the current market price.
2. Buy at 78.15 (MA200 1d and a little over Support 1).
Targets:
1. 78.15 (MA200 1d and a little over Support 1).
2. 86.30 (Fibonacci 0.5 level).
Tips:
1. Both sequences traded sideways after bottoming for around 2 months. This will be an excellent scalping opportunity. Take advantage of it.
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Notes:
Past trading plan:
CRUDE OIL (WTI): Your Trading Plan For Next Week Explained 🛢️
Crude Oil is consolidating within a range on a solid support.
85.8 is the resistance of the range.
If the price breaks and closes above that next week,
I would suggest buying the market,
anticipating a bullish continuation at least to 87.6 level.
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WTI CRUDE OIL: Channel Down emerging.WTI Crude Oil got rejected on Friday on the former HL trendline which should now be considered a Resistance, rejecting the attempt to resume the uptrend. This turned the 1D timeframe technically bearish (RSI = 41.271, MACD = 0.120, ADX = 25.766) and the 1D MACD Bearish Cross (straight after a Bullish Cross) allows us to attempt a short entry, targeting the 1D MA200 (TP = 78.50).
See how well our prior idea has worked:
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CRUDE OIL (WTI): Your Trading Plan For Today 🛢️
WTI Crude Oil is trading within a wide horizontal range on a 4h time frame.
The price is currently testing a support of the range.
To buy the market with a confirmation,
watch a tiny double bottom formation.
If the price breaks and closes above its neckline - 86.26,
a bullish movement will be expected to 86.78 / 87.61
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Swing trade long for WTIWe saw the pullback into the support area we were waiting for, around the 200-dar EMA on the 4hour chart and weekly pivot point. A bullish engulfing candle also formed at the end of the session, and whilst prices have gapped lower at the open, we're now looking to enter long and target the resistance zone around $90.
CRUDE OIL (WTI): Bullish Outlook Explained 🛢️
Price action analysis for WTI Oil.
Structure analysis.
Important bullish confirmation explained.
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Crude oil - Elliott Wave CountCrude oil - Elliott Wave Count
Certainly, here is the rewritten text:
Based on market analysis, it appears that crude oil is currently undergoing a triangle correction of wave B, with a projected target range of $89.5. Once the wave B correction is complete, wave C is expected to decline all the way to the $75 range. In light of this, we recommend refraining from taking long positions in a bearish market. Instead, it would be prudent to wait for a reversal and take a short position.
Please note that this information is for educational purposes only, and it is crucial to trade with caution.
TVC:USOIL FX:USOILSPOT BLACKBULL:USOIL.F MCX:CRUDEOIL1! NYMEX:CL1! TVC:USOIL CAPITALCOM:OIL_CRUDE
what the oilwti us oil is bullish.
I was thinking about the head and shoulder pattern but I miscaculated.
It didn't make the perfect H&S pattern yet!!!
How?
okay...so the inflation is rising currently due to chinese re-opening.
This is awesome for the oil demand.
Let's catch this bull trend for short term for now.
My target is until 88 dollar.
CRUDE OIL (WTI): Your Trading Plan Explained 🛢️
Price action analysis for WTI Crude Oil.
Important key levels.
Potential swing long trade explained.
Trading recommendations & plan.
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Crude Oil 17/10 MovePair : Crude Oil
Description :
Completed " 123 " Impulsive Wave. Bullish Channel as an Correction after Impulse , It has completed " abc " and Rejection from the Upper Trend Line with Strong Bearish Price Action if it Breaks the Lower Trend Line then Sell
Entry Precaution :
Wait until it Breaks or Rejects Trend Lines
CRUDE OIL (WTI) Your Trading Plan For Next Week 🛢️
What a pump on WTI Crude Oil.
Following the geopolitical tensions, the market bounced nicely on Friday.
Ahead I see a strong daily resistance: 88.4 - 88.6 area is the last resort
for the sellers. If the price breaks and closes above that on a daily next week,
it will be a strong bullish signal for you.
You can anticipate a bullish continuation all the way up to 93.45 level then.
Just remember, that first you need a breakout confirmation.
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CL1! Crude Oil Direction-11-Oct-2023Price broke the downward trendline (red line) and the bearish market structure. Now it is forming a bullish continuation pennant. It's possible the price will make a bearish fake out before reversing up. Let's wait for the confirmation on which direction of trades we should take.
