Russian spare capacity questioned

ICE Brent prompt contract declined to 74.5 $/b at the prompt, in a volatile start of the week. Russian output in June averaged 10.42 mb/d vs 10.45 mb/d in May, questioning the ability of Russia to effectively ramp up crude production. Despite the drop in crude prices, European diesel cracks felt even stronger, at 4.8 $/b at the prompt, as the Delta variant triggered new restrictions in European capitals such as Lisbon.