Approaching tank tops to further pressure oil
Two analysts agree that crude oversupply will exhaust storage space in a matter of weeks
Cargo tracking specialist Kpler and Oslo-based consultancy Rystad Energy both predict spare capacity in global crude storage fully filled well before the end of May—a scenario that is likely to plunge oil prices ever lower. The firms’ views on how much capacity, not including floating storage, remains available is broadly similar. Rystad estimates that 875mn bl is left to fill. Kpler comes to a slightly lower figure of just under 750mn bl but concedes that there could be upside to that. It actually sees as much as 1.6-1.7bn bl of nameplate storage capacity still unfilled but is concerned that this includes facilities that are beyond practical use due to age or length of time since they were
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent






