On August 4, 2025, the Brent crude oil price stood at 68.59 U.S. dollars per barrel, compared to 66.29 U.S. dollars for WTI oil and 71.58 U.S. dollars for the OPEC basket. OPEC prices rose slightly that week, while Brent and WTI prices fell.Europe's Brent crude oil, the U.S. WTI crude oil, and OPEC's basket are three of the most important benchmarks used by traders as reference for oil and gasoline prices. Lowest ever oil prices during coronavirus pandemic In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic resulted in crude oil prices hitting a major slump as oil demand drastically declined following lockdowns and travel restrictions. Initial outlooks and uncertainty surrounding the course of the pandemic brought about a disagreement between two of the largest oil producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, in early March. Bilateral talks between global oil producers ended in agreement on April 13th, with promises to cut petroleum output and hopes rising that these might help stabilize the oil price in the coming weeks. However, with storage facilities and oil tankers quickly filling up, fears grew over where to store excess oil, leading to benchmark prices seeing record negative prices between April 20 and April 22, 2020. How crude oil prices are determined As with most commodities, crude oil prices are impacted by supply and demand, as well as inventories and market sentiment. However, as oil is most often traded in future contracts (where a contract is agreed upon while product delivery will follow in the next two to three months), market speculation is one of the principal determinants for oil prices. Traders make conclusions on how production output and consumer demand will likely develop over the coming months, leaving room for uncertainty. Spot prices differ from futures in so far as they reflect the current market price of a commodity.

The 2025 preliminary average annual price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil reached 68.23 U.S. dollars per barrel as of June. This would be eight U.S. dollars below the 2024 average and the lowest annual average since 2021. WTI and other benchmarks WTI is a grade of crude oil also known as “Texas light sweet.” It is measured to have an API gravity of around 39.6 and specific gravity of about 0.83, which is considered “light” relative to other crude oils. This oil also contains roughly 0.24 percent sulfur, and is therefore named “sweet.” Crude oils are some of the most closely observed commodity prices in the world. WTI is the underlying commodity of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s oil futures contracts. The price of other crude oils, such as UK Brent crude oil, the OPEC crude oil basket, and Dubai Fateh oil, can be compared to that of WTI crude oil. Since 1976, the price of WTI crude oil has increased notably, rising from just 12.23 U.S. dollars per barrel in 1976 to a peak of 99.06 dollars per barrel in 2008. Geopolitical conflicts and their impact on oil prices The price of oil is controlled in part by limiting oil production. Prior to 1971, the Texas Railroad Commission controlled the price of oil by setting limits on production of U.S. oil. In 1971, the Texas Railroad Commission ceased limiting production, but OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries with member states Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela among others, continued to do so. In 1972, due to geopolitical conflict, OPEC set an oil embargo and cut oil production, causing prices to quadruple by 1974. Oil prices rose again in 1979 and 1980 due to the Iranian revolution, and doubled between 1978 and 1981 as the Iran-Iraq War prevented oil production. A number of geopolitical conflicts and periods of increased production and consumption have influenced the price of oil since then.

Heating Oil fell to 2.28 USD/Gal on August 12, 2025, down 0.56% from the previous day. Over the past month, Heating Oil's price has fallen 4.67%, and is down 4.98% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Heating oil - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

The annual price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is expected to reach an average of 61.81 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2025, according to a May 2025 forecast. This would be a decrease of roughly 15 U.S. dollar compared to the previous year. In the first months weeks of 2025, weekly crude oil prices largely stayed below 70 U.S. dollars per barrel amid trade tariffs and expected economic downturn. What are benchmark crudes? WTI is often used as a price reference point called a benchmark (or ”marker”) crude. This category includes Brent crude from the North Sea, Dubai Crude, as well as blends in the OPEC reference basket. WTI, Brent, and the OPEC basket have tended to trade closely, but since 2011, Brent has been selling at a higher annual spot price than WTI, largely due to increased oil production in the United States. What causes price volatility? Oil prices are historically volatile. While mostly shaped by demand and supply like all consumer goods, they may also be affected by production limits, a change in U.S. dollar value, and to an extent by market speculation. In 2022, the annual average price for WTI was close to the peak of nearly 100 U.S. dollars recorded in 2008. In the latter year, multiple factors, such as strikes in Nigeria, an oil sale stop in Venezuela, and the continuous increase in oil demand from China were partly responsible for the price surge. Higher oil prices allowed the pursuit of extraction methods previously deemed too expensive and risky, such as shale gas and tight oil production in the U.S. The widespread practice of fracturing source rocks for oil and gas extraction led to the oil glut in 2016 and made the U.S. the largest oil producer in the world.

The EUR/USD exchange rate fell to 1.1603 on August 12, 2025, down 0.12% from the previous session. Over the past month, the Euro US Dollar Exchange Rate - EUR/USD has weakened 0.53%, but it's up by 5.52% over the last 12 months. Euro US Dollar Exchange Rate - EUR/USD - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

Crude Oil Price: Indonesia data was reported at 61.320 USD/Barrel in Jul 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 60.990 USD/Barrel for Jun 2019. Crude Oil Price: Indonesia data is updated monthly, averaging 42.500 USD/Barrel from Dec 1991 (Median) to Jul 2019, with 332 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 134.960 USD/Barrel in Jul 2008 and a record low of 9.990 USD/Barrel in Dec 1998. Crude Oil Price: Indonesia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Directorate General of Oil and Gas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Indonesia – Table ID.PC001: Retail Price: By Major Commodities.

Urals Oil fell to 62.56 USD/Bbl on August 8, 2025, down 0.97% from the previous day. Over the past month, Urals Oil's price has fallen 6.93%, and is down 16.53% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Urals Crude.

Gold rose to 3,347.78 USD/t.oz on August 12, 2025, up 0.14% from the previous day. Over the past month, Gold's price has risen 0.15%, and is up 35.86% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Gold - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

A graphic that displays the dollar performance against other currencies reveals that economic developments had mixed results on currency exchanges. The third quarter of 2023 marked a period of disinflation in the euro area, while China's projected growth was projected to go up. The United States economy was said to have a relatively strong performance in Q3 2023, although growing capital market interest rate and the resumption of student loan repayments might dampen this growth at the end of 2023. A relatively weak Japanese yen Q3 2023 saw pressure from investors towards Japanese authorities on how they would respond to the situation surrounding the Japanese yen. The USD/JPY rate was close to ***, whereas analysts suspected it should be around ** given the country's purchase power parity. The main reason for this disparity is said to be the differences in central bank interest rates between the United States, the euro area, and Japan. Any future aggressive changes from, especially the U.S. Fed might lower those differences. Financial markets responded somewhat disappoint when Japan did not announce major plans to tackle the situation. Potential rent decreases in 2024 Central bank rates peak in 2023, although it is expected that some of these will decline in early 2024. That said, analysts expect overall policies will remain restrictive. For example, the Bank of England's interest rate remained unchanged at **** percent in Q3 2023. It is believed the United Kingdom's central bank will ease its interest rate in 2024 but less than either the U.S. Fed or the European Central Bank. This should be a positive development for the pound compared to either the euro or the dollar.

The global base oil market was valued at USD 28.92 billion in 2022 and will expand to USD 43.38 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.2% for the forecast period 2023-2030. Factors Affecting Base Oil Market Growth

Rapid industrialization in developing countries

Rapid industrialization in developing nations like Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and others is helping to expand the base oil market growth. China, Indonesia, India, South Africa, and Brazil are all seeing rapid expansion in sectors including industrial machinery, automotive, and energy. Base oil is the essential component of almost all lubricants. Engine oil is mostly base oil with just 7% to 10% additional ingredients moreover only 10%–12% other additives are included in gearbox fluids; the remaining is base oil. The base oil is used to create a variety of industrial lubricants.

The automobile sector is adopting lubricants more often

Base oils are majorly used in the manufacturing of lubricants. The use of lubricants in the automobile industry is enlarged due to lubricants extended equipment life, reduces corrosion, and reduced machine downtime. A base oil is present in all lubricants. It serves as the lubricant's base before it is combined with additives or a thickening in the case of grease. Improving vehicle supply resulted to increase in the demand for base oil. The automobile industry focuses more on vehicle efficiency, resulting in increased demand for lubricants in the automobile industry. Hence, the increasing adoption of lubricants in the automobile sector is fueling the base oil market.

The Restraining Factor of Base Oil:

Volatility in crude oil prices

Fluctuation in the price of crude oil is expected to hinder the base oil market growth. Many kinds of crude oil are used to produce base oils, the most typical is paraffinic crude oil. On the other hand, Naphthenic crude oils produce base oil with superior solubility and excellent qualities at low temperatures. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), independent Petro-states like Russia, private oil companies like ExxonMobil, and other producers significantly impact crude oil prices. Prices are impacted by supply and demand just as with any other commodity. Crude Oil prices fluctuated due to production expenses as well. While it costs less to extract oil in the Middle East, it costs more to do so in Canada's oil sands. Once the supply of cheap oil is lessened, the price could increase.

Environmental Regulations and Emission Norms

Stringent environmental regulations globally are compelling manufacturers to lower emissions from their production processes and enhance product quality. Governments and environmental agencies are implementing rigorous controls on the sulfur content, volatility, and biodegradability of base oils and lubricants. Adhering to these changing standards raises production costs, particularly for Group I base oils, which are slowly being replaced by more refined Group II and III oils. This regulatory pressure may restrict the growth potential of traditional base oil manufacturers that have not yet modernized their technologies.

Key Trends of Base Oil:

Transition to Group II and Group III Base Oils

There is an increasing transition from Group I to Group II and III base oils, attributed to their enhanced oxidation stability, reduced volatility, and improved performance features. These premium oils are being utilized more frequently in synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants, especially in high-performance engines and machinery. As Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) seek superior lubricant performance to comply with new emission regulations and fuel efficiency criteria, the global demand for Group II and III base oils is rapidly rising.

Rising Demand for Bio-based and Re-refined Base Oils

The heightened awareness regarding sustainability and environmental effects is driving the demand for bio-based and re-refined base oils. Industries are embracing circular economy principles and are increasingly favoring sustainable alternatives to base oils that lessen reliance on virgin crude oil. The processes for re-refining used oil are becoming more efficient and of higher quality, rendering re-refined base oils a practical and economical choice for both manufacturers and consumers.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Base Oil Market:

The automobile sect...

During the last quarter of 2024, the avocado oil prices in Mexico reached 14,220 USD/MT (export price) and 15,370 USD/MT (import price) in December. As per the avocado oil price chart, the rapid urbanization, consumers' growing purchasing power, and increasing desire for cooking in healthy oil enhanced with vital nutrients are causing price changes in the country.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Avocado Oil Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of avocado oil pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

Natural gas fell to 2.98 USD/MMBtu on August 11, 2025, down 0.47% from the previous day. Over the past month, Natural gas's price has fallen 14.14%, but it is still 35.95% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Natural gas - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

The Bitcoin (BTC) price again reached an all-time high in 2025, as values exceeded over 114,128.35 USD on August 6, 2025. Price hikes in early 2025 were connected to the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the United States, while previous hikes in 2021 were due to events involving Tesla and Coinbase, respectively. Tesla's announcement in March 2021 that it had acquired 1.5 billion U.S. dollars' worth of the digital coin, for example, as well as the IPO of the U.S.'s biggest crypto exchange, fueled mass interest. The market was noticeably different by the end of 2022, however, after another crypto exchange, FTX, filed for bankruptcy.Is the world running out of Bitcoin?Unlike fiat currency like the U.S. dollar - as the Federal Reserve can simply decide to print more banknotes - Bitcoin's supply is finite: BTC has a maximum supply embedded in its design, of which roughly 89 percent had been reached in April 2021. It is believed that Bitcoin will run out by 2040, despite more powerful mining equipment. This is because mining becomes exponentially more difficult and power-hungry every four years, a part of Bitcoin's original design. Because of this, a Bitcoin mining transaction could equal the energy consumption of a small country in 2021.Bitcoin's price outlook: a potential bubble?Cryptocurrencies have few metrics available that allow for forecasting, if only because it is rumored that only a few cryptocurrency holders own a large portion of the available supply. These large holders - referred to as 'whales'-are' said to make up two percent of anonymous ownership accounts, while owning roughly 92 percent of BTC. On top of this, most people who use cryptocurrency-related services worldwide are retail clients rather than institutional investors. This means outlooks on whether Bitcoin prices will fall or grow are difficult to measure, as movements from one large whale are already having a significant impact on this market.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Carbon Black Oil Market size will be USD 28142.6 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 11257.04 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 8442.78 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 6472.80 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1407.13 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 562.85 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Rubber Reinforcement held the highest Carbon Black Oil Market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Carbon Black Oil Market

Key Drivers for Carbon Black Oil Market

Growth in the Automotive Sector Enhances Market Demand

The swift development of the automotive industry, particularly in emerging economies, is markedly elevating the demand for carbon black oil. This substance is crucial in tire production due to its capacity to improve durability and fuel efficiency. The shift towards lightweight, high-performance vehicles further strengthens this increasing demand trend for rubber compounds based on carbon black oil.

The Role of Carbon Black Oil in Driving Growth in the Construction Industry

The utilization of carbon black oil is on the rise in the construction sector for the enhancement of concrete, asphalt, and coatings. With the surge in urbanization and infrastructure initiatives, it is esteemed for its ability to enhance material strength and resistance to environmental factors. This growing significance in structural applications corresponds with global construction surges, particularly in developing areas, fostering consistent market growth.

Restraint Factor for the Carbon Black Oil Market

Navigating Price Volatility in the Carbon Black Oil Market

The market for carbon black oil is extremely reactive to variations in global oil prices. As it is derived from petroleum feedstocks, any instability in crude oil supply, regulatory changes, or geopolitical tensions directly impacts production expenses. This unpredictability complicates pricing strategies and planning, rendering profitability and long-term investments precarious for manufacturers.

Environmental Regulations Constrain Market Growth

Tighter environmental regulations concerning emissions and petroleum-derived products pose challenges for the carbon black oil market. Government initiatives aimed at minimizing carbon footprints and encouraging sustainable materials are pressuring manufacturers to adopt cleaner technologies, which may lead to increased production costs and a deceleration in growth.

Key Trends of Carbon Black Oil Market

Transition to Sustainable Alternatives

The market is experiencing a gradual yet increasing transition towards bio-based carbon black oil substitutes. As sustainability gains importance, manufacturers are dedicating resources to research eco-friendly materials aimed at decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. This movement is propelled by the need for regulatory adherence and consumer demand for environmentally friendly products in the automotive and construction industries.

Digital Oversight in Production

Cutting-edge digital technologies such as IoT and AI are being implemented in carbon black oil processing facilities to enhance efficiency and minimize waste. Real-time monitoring systems assist in regulating temperature, flow rates, and emissions, thereby improving product quality and ensuring adherence to environmental standards. This technology-driven movement is transforming the production landscape of the industry.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Carbon Black Oil Market

The Carbon Black Oil Market witnessed a significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sup...

Gasoline rose to 2.08 USD/Gal on August 11, 2025, up 0.64% from the previous day. Over the past month, Gasoline's price has fallen 3.77%, and is down 14.64% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Gasoline - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Canadian Dollars to U.S. Dollar Spot Exchange Rate (DEXCAUS) from 1971-01-04 to 2025-08-01 about Canada, exchange rate, currency, rate, and USA.

When converted to the value of one US dollar in 2020, goods and services that cost one dollar in 1700 would cost just over 63 dollars in 2020, this means that one dollar in 1700 was worth approximately 63 times more than it is today. This data can be used to calculate how much goods and services from the years shown would cost today, by multiplying the price from then by the number shown in the graph. For example, an item that cost 50 dollars in 1970 would theoretically cost 335.5 US dollars in 2020 (50 x 6.71 = 335.5), although it is important to remember that the prices of individual goods and services inflate at different rates than currency, therefore this graph must only be used as a guide.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global FCC Catalyst market size will be USD 3251.6 million in 2025. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.00% from 2025 to 2033.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1300.64 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2% from 2025 to 2033.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 975.48 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 747.87 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2025 to 2033.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 162.58 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% from 2025 to 2033.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 65.03 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2025 to 2033.
Residue is the fastest-growing segment in the FCC catalyst market.

Market Dynamics of FCC Catalyst Market

Key Drivers for FCC Catalyst Market

Surging Petroleum Demand Fuels FCC Catalysts Market Growth

The increasing demand for petroleum-based products will help to drive the future growth of FCC catalysts. Petroleum products are complex mixtures made from crude oil that share similar physical and chemical properties. The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst speeds up the chemical reaction, lowering the activation energy in the petroleum refining process. FCC catalyst solutions are used in these processes to convert petroleum crude oil's high-boiling, high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon fractions into valuable petroleum products such as olefinic gases, gasoline, and others. According to the Energy Information Administration, a US-based government agency, total petroleum consumption in the United States averaged approximately 20.28 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2022, with approximately 1.17 million b/d of biofuels—1.002 b/d of fuel ethanol and 0.164 b/d of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels combined. This represents a 2% increase over 2021 and a 12% increase over 2020, owing primarily to the US economy's return to pre-COVID-19 activity levels. In general, consumption of nearly all petroleum products in 2022 was higher than in 2021. As a result, the increasing demand for petroleum-based products is propelling the FCC catalyst market.

(Source: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-products/use-of-oil.php)

Growing Energy Demand Drives FC Catalyst Market Growth

Growing energy demand is expected to drive future growth in the FCC catalyst market. Energy demand is the amount of energy required to meet the needs of a specific system, region, industry, or society over a given period. FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) catalysts help to meet energy demand by efficiently converting heavy hydrocarbons into valuable fuels like gasoline and diesel. For instance, in April 2023, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), a statistical agency of the US Department of Energy, reported that in 2022, electricity consumption for end-use in the United States increased by 2.6% over 2021. Retail electricity sales to the residential and commercial sectors in 2022 were about 3.5% and 3.4% higher than in 2021, respectively. In addition, retail electricity sales to the industrial sector increased by 0.7% in 2022 compared to the previous year. As a result, rising energy demand is driving the expansion of the FCC catalyst market

Restraint Factor for the FCC Catalyst Market

Volatility in crude oil prices will Limit Market Growth

The volatility in crude oil prices is a major impediment to growth in the FCC catalyst market. Crude oil price fluctuations possess a direct impact on the profitability of refining operations, leading to uncertainty in investment decisions. When crude oil prices rise dramatically, refiners may face higher operational costs, resulting in lower demand for FCC catalysts as they seek to cut costs. When prices fall, refineries may choose not to upgrade or invest in new catalyst technologies, which can stymie market growth. All of these factors make it difficult for producers to create effective production and...

Graph and download economic data for Trade Weighted U.S. Dollar Index: Broad, Goods (DISCONTINUED) (TWEXB) from 1995-01-04 to 2020-01-01 about trade-weighted, broad, exchange rate, currency, goods, rate, indexes, and USA.

Corn rose to 385.12 USd/BU on August 11, 2025, up 0.62% from the previous day. Over the past month, Corn's price has fallen 3.72%, and is down 4.08% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Corn - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.