
War, Hormuz and the Fuel Price Shock
From Oil Markets by S&P Global Commodity Insights
March 12, 2026 · 23 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of geopolitical events on oil prices and the potential fuel shortages in California.
After US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, oil markets have been on a rollercoaster. While crude has rallied above $100/b, refined fuels have surged even more sharply. In this episode of the Oil Markets Podcast, host Jeff Mower , Director of Americas Oil News, is joined by Senior Refining Editor Janet McGurty and Senior Refined Products Price Reporters Ben Peyton and Laura Huchzermeyer to break down what's driving the spike in diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline prices. Is California heading toward a fuel shortage as refinery closures and global disruptions collide? How vulnerable is the West Coast fuel market, and why is it often described as an "energy island"? Could high diesel, jet, and gasoline prices start hitting the broader economy?
People in this episode
Host: Jeff Mower
Guests: Janet McGurty, Ben Peyton, Laura Huchzermeyer
Topics covered
- oil markets
- fuel prices
- refinery closures
- West Coast fuel market
- economic impact
Keywords
- oil prices
- diesel prices
- jet fuel prices
- gasoline prices
- fuel shortage
- refinery disruptions
- energy island
Mentioned in this episode
Places: California, Strait of Hormuz
More episodes of Oil Markets
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- Atlantic physical crude dynamics following Dated Brent's all-time high · April 16, 2026 · 15 min
- Hormuz chokepoint: Global scramble for diesel supply · April 9, 2026 · 30 min
- Nigeria's Dangote refinery takes spotlight amid Middle East conflict · April 2, 2026 · 19 min
- CERAWEEK 2026: With Hormuz shut, who fills the gap? · March 31, 2026 · 20 min
- Strait of Hormuz uncertainty, Asia's LPG scramble as Middle East flows stall · March 26, 2026 · 12 min
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