CPC & Associates

03/18/2026

Lead High-Stakes Refinery Turnarounds | Multiple Facilities | VP-Level Visibility | Canada | Sponsorship Available

Overview: Our client is seeking an experienced professional to lead complex turnaround projects at our Lloydminster, AB, Canada facilities, including the refine

03/01/2026

If you're interested in seeing more on this position please follow this link to the job on our webiste https://careers.topechelon.com/portals/91d40870-5f09-4adb-8537-bbc75fa92ab2/jobs/dd73d6c5-a866-409b-b196-c7c99320dab4?facets=&geo-radius=&keyword=Network&geo-text=

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Process Control Network Analyst to join their team. This pivotal role involves collaboration with the APC

01/29/2026

Oil prices are moving higher — and the fundamentals are tightening

U.S. crude oil inventories fell sharply last week, dropping 2.3 million barrels and bringing total commercial crude stocks to 423.8 million barrels. That level is now about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year and noticeably tighter than where inventories sat last winter.

This drawdown comes on top of real supply disruptions caused by winter storms across parts of the U.S., which are impacting production, logistics, and refinery operations. The market is no longer trading on “risk” alone — it’s reacting to actual supply losses.

As a result, oil prices continue to climb:

Brent crude is trading near $68 per barrel, up more than $3 week-over-week

WTI crude is around $63 per barrel, also up nearly $1 today and almost $3 from last week

Compared to this time last year, the market looks tighter:

Crude inventories are lower

Supply growth is more constrained

Weather-related disruptions are having a bigger impact

Geopolitical risks remain in the background, keeping a floor under prices

On the product side:

Gasoline inventories rose slightly, but production remains strong at 9.6 million barrels per day

Distillate (diesel) inventories increased modestly, even as production fell — a sign of softer industrial demand compared to last year

Total U.S. oil demand averaged 20.3 million barrels per day over the last four weeks, just 0.1% lower than last year, showing demand is holding up despite higher prices. Gasoline demand remains steady, while diesel demand is nearly 5% lower year-over-year, reflecting slower freight and industrial activity.

Bottom line:
Compared to last year, the oil market is tighter on supply, weather disruptions are having real effects, and demand is resilient enough to keep prices moving higher. Unless inventories rebuild meaningfully, the bias for oil prices remains to the upside.

Send a message to learn more

01/14/2026

📊 What’s Going On With Oil and Gas Prices Right Now?

New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that U.S. crude oil inventories increased by 3.4 million barrels last week. Even with that increase, total crude stockpiles sit at 422.4 million barrels, which is still about 3% below the normal (five-year average) level for this time of year.

In simple terms:
👉 We added some oil to storage, but overall supplies are still tighter than usual.

An industry group (API) reported an even bigger build earlier in the week, so the EIA data largely confirmed what the market was already expecting.

📈 Why Oil Prices Are Rising Anyway

Despite inventories going up, oil prices moved higher this week.

The main reason isn’t U.S. supply — it’s geopolitical risk.

There are growing concerns about a possible oil production disruption in Iran due to ongoing protests and unrest. When traders worry that oil supplies could be disrupted anywhere in the world, prices often rise as a precaution.

As of Wednesday morning:

Brent crude was trading around $65.88 per barrel, up more than $5 per barrel compared to last week

WTI crude was also higher, trading near $0.30 higher on the day

👉 Bottom line: fear of future supply problems is outweighing the recent inventory build.

⛽ Gasoline: Plenty of Supply Right Now

The EIA also reported that U.S. gasoline inventories jumped by 9 million barrels, which is a big increase.

Gasoline production increased to 9.0 million barrels per day

This means refiners are producing more gasoline than drivers are using right now

👉 This usually puts downward pressure on gas prices, or at least keeps them from rising too fast.

🚛 Diesel (Distillates): A Different Story

Diesel and heating fuel inventories (called middle distillates) fell slightly.

Production dropped a bit to 5.3 million barrels per day

Demand for distillates is actually up 2.2% compared to last year

👉 Diesel remains relatively tight, which helps explain why diesel prices can stay firm even when gasoline prices soften.

📉 What Demand Is Telling Us

The EIA’s “products supplied” number (a key demand indicator) shows:

Total U.S. oil demand averaged 20 million barrels per day

That’s down about 1.1% from last year

Gasoline demand averaged 8.5 million barrels per day

Diesel demand is stronger year over year

👉 Translation: Consumers are using slightly less fuel overall, especially gasoline, while diesel demand remains healthy.

🧠 The Big Picture

Crude oil supplies are still below normal, even after the inventory build

Gasoline is well supplied, which should help at the pump

Diesel remains tighter, supporting higher prices

Oil prices are rising mainly due to geopolitical concerns, not U.S. shortages

📌 If global tensions ease, prices could cool off. If supply fears grow, prices could stay elevated — even with decent U.S. inventories.

Send a message to learn more

12/10/2025

US Crude Inventories Sag As Oil Products Grow

📉 What’s happening now

U.S. crude-oil inventories fell by 1.8 million barrels last week, bringing total commercial crude stockpiles to about 425.7 million barrels. That is about 4% below the typical five-year average for this time of year.

Meanwhile, inventories of refined products rose:

Motor gasoline inventories increased by 6.4 million barrels.

“Middle distillates” (diesel, heating-oil, etc.) inventories rose by 2.5 million barrels.

On the consumption side, over the last four weeks:

Total petroleum products supplied — a rough measure of U.S. oil demand — averaged 20.4 million barrels per day, up about 1.6% from the same period last year.

Gasoline demand averaged ~8.5 million bbl/day, and distillate demand ~3.7 million bbl/day, both up compared with last year.

In short: crude inventories are shrinking (compared with seasonal norms), while gasoline and diesel (and similar products) are stacking up — even though demand is fairly healthy.

🕒 Compared to ~6 Months Ago

Back in June 2025, crude inventories also fell significantly: one report showed a drop of 5.8 million barrels, leaving inventories ~11% below the five-year average.

That suggests that the current 4% below-average level is a partial rebound from the June lows — inventory pressures have eased a bit since mid-year, but stocks remain well below typical seasonal levels.

On the demand side: the buildup in gasoline and distillates, along with rising product demand now, suggests refining and fuel consumption have stayed strong since summer.

🗓️ Compared to ~1 Year Ago

A year ago, around December 2024, inventories tended to follow a seasonal pattern of higher or stable crude stocks going into winter. Usually that “build season” would see inventories rising, as demand (especially gasoline) softens after summer driving season.

The fact that crude is now below the five-year average (rather than at or above it) suggests tighter supply than typical for late-year in 2024.

Meanwhile, the increase in refined product inventories and consistent demand growth imply that consumption may be stronger now than in the previous winter — or that refineries are producing more, perhaps anticipating demand.

✅ What It Means in Everyday Terms

There’s a bit less crude oil sitting in U.S. storage than is usual for this time of year — meaning supply is somewhat tighter than seasonal norms.

At the same time, more gasoline and diesel (and other refined products) are being stored: that could reflect ongoing consumption, refineries processing crude into fuel, or anticipation of future demand.

Demand for gasoline and distillates seems to be up year-over-year — which could point to a bustling economy, more travel, more heating-oil use, or just more production going to storage.

Overall: compared both with last winter and mid-2025, the oil market looks tighter — crude supply is lean, but fuel demand and stocks remain robust.

📈 What the charts show

Crude-oil inventories move up and down seasonally — often rising in late winter/early spring, falling in summer, then trending lower toward late year.

As of the most recent data, crude stocks remain below the long-term average (for this time of year), indicating the supply of raw oil is somewhat lean.

At the same time, inventories of refined products (gasoline, distillates) have sometimes diverged: even when crude stockpiles fall, companies may be refining and storing more gasoline or diesel — which shows up in the product-stock charts.

⚠️ What to watch out for

Stock levels fluctuate week to week — the chart lines wiggle. A single drop or jump doesn’t necessarily signal a long-term trend — that’s why looking at 1–2 years of data helps.

Seasonal factors matter: demand for heating (distillates) and gasoline driving patterns influence inventory levels — so comparisons in the same season (e.g. winter vs winter) give better context than month-to-month.

“Below average” crude inventories aren’t necessarily bad — they can reflect strong demand or active refining, not just scarcity.

12/04/2025

📈 U.S. Oil Inventories Climb, Prices React

Crude oil inventories in the U.S. increased by 600,000 barrels for the week ending November 28, bringing total stockpiles to 427.5 million barrels—still 3% below the five-year average. By comparison, inventories were higher than six months ago but lower than this time last year, reflecting ongoing tightness in the market.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a slightly different figure, showing a 2.48 million barrel draw, highlighting volatility between data sources.

Crude prices responded to market sentiment Wednesday morning, with Brent at $62.99 (+0.86%) and WTI up $0.57 (+0.97%), as traders reacted to OPEC+ guidance, a softer dollar, and recent remarks from Russia on the Ukraine conflict.

Product inventories:

Gasoline: +4.5 million barrels, with production averaging 9.8 million barrels/day

Middle distillates: +2.1 million barrels, production 5.1 million barrels/day, 7% below the five-year average

Demand trends: Total products supplied averaged 20.3 million barrels/day, with gasoline at 8.7 million barrels/day and distillates 3.7 million barrels/day, showing a modest slowdown compared to last year.

Bottom line: Inventories are rising, but supply remains tight relative to historical averages. Market moves are currently driven as much by sentiment as by structural shifts in supply and demand.

Send a message to learn more

11/17/2025

🔥 Find Jobs Faster & Easier — And Our Services Are Absolutely FREE for Candidates!

Searching for your next career opportunity? We make the process simple, fast, and completely FREE for job seekers.

Our website features over 1,000 real-time job openings from a nationwide network of independent recruiters who collaborate to fill roles quickly and efficiently. That means more opportunities, more visibility, and a smoother path to your next job.

Why Candidates Should Choose Our Job Feed

⭐ Absolutely FREE for Candidates

There is no cost to you — ever.

No memberships. No fees. No hidden charges.

⚡ A Faster & Easier Way to Find a Job

You don’t have to search dozens of job boards.

Our platform brings over 1,000 high-quality openings straight to you, and you apply directly to the recruiter managing each position.

🔍 Access Exclusive Opportunities

Discover roles shared by professional recruiters that you won’t find on traditional job boards — including niche, specialized, and hard-to-fill positions.

🤝 Direct Connection With Recruiters

Your résumé goes straight to the recruiter responsible for the job, increasing your chances of being seen, matched, and hired.

If you apply on your own, your résumé could get lost in a pile of hundreds of other applications. But when you apply through our Job Feed, your résumé is reviewed by one of our affiliate recruiters every time. If you’re a fit for the position, the recruiter will send your résumé directly to the hiring manager or HR contact — helping you avoid long wait times and uncertainty.

What You Get — At No Cost

✔ FREE access to over 1,000+ high-quality job openings

✔ FASTER hiring process thanks to recruiter collaboration

✔ EASIER job search with everything in one place

✔ Greater variety of positions across industries — engineering, IT, operations, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more

✔ A real chance to stand out through direct recruiter connections

✔ If you’re a fit, your résumé is sent directly to hiring decision-makers

Start Your Job Search the Smart Way

Explore the live Job Feed on our website and apply directly to positions that match your skills and goals.

👉 Your next job could be just one click away — and it won’t cost you anything.

Apply now at: https://www.cpcandassociates.com/

CPC & Associates has been connecting talented professionals with petroleum refining and petrochemical industry employers since 1989. Personalized recruiting that prioritizes meaningful connections.

11/17/2025

Working with Tursten https://trustencto.com/as a game-changer — and a huge thank-you to Leo Garcia, who guided us through the entire AI-powered build. The result? A fast, professional website that exceeds every expectation and truly converts customers.
Check out our new website and see the results for yourself!

CPC & Associates has been connecting talented professionals with petroleum refining and petrochemical industry employers since 1989. Personalized recruiting that prioritizes meaningful connections.

11/05/2025

Summary of Weekly Petroleum Data (Week Ending October 31, 2025)

Key Takeaways
Oil supplies rose slightly, but inventories remain below normal levels, keeping the market tight.

Fuel production increased modestly, showing refineries are operating steadily at 86% capacity.

Gasoline and diesel stockpiles fell, signaling strong demand or slower restocking.

Jet fuel demand is up 6.2%, reflecting continued strength in air travel.

Refinery Operations and Production
U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 15.3 million barrels per day (b/d), up 37,000 b/d from the previous week.

Refineries operated at 86% of operable capacity, indicating steady utilization.

Gasoline production increased to 9.8 million b/d, while distillate fuel production rose by 211,000 b/d to 4.7 million b/d.

Imports
Crude oil imports climbed to 5.9 million b/d, an increase of 873,000 b/d from the previous week.

Over the past four weeks, crude imports averaged 5.6 million b/d, about 7.3% lower than the same period in 2024.

Gasoline imports averaged 588,000 b/d, and distillate fuel imports averaged 104,000 b/d.

Inventories
Commercial crude oil inventories rose by 5.2 million barrels, reaching 421.2 million barrels — still 4% below the five-year average.

Gasoline inventories fell by 4.7 million barrels, now 5% below the five-year average.

Distillate inventories dropped slightly by 0.6 million barrels, 9% below the five-year average.

Propane/propylene inventories increased by 0.4 million barrels, remaining 15% above the five-year average.

Total commercial petroleum inventories increased modestly by 0.6 million barrels.

Demand Indicators (Products Supplied)
Total products supplied averaged 20.3 million b/d, down 1.2% from the same period last year.

Gasoline demand was 8.7 million b/d, 2.1% lower than last year.

Distillate demand averaged 3.8 million b/d, down 1.7% year-over-year.

Jet fuel demand increased 6.2%, showing recovery in travel and transport activity.

What This Means for Everyone
This week’s report shows that the U.S. oil and fuel market is steady overall, but supplies are still a bit tight and demand has dipped slightly.

Refineries are running at normal levels, producing more gasoline and diesel than the week before. The U.S. also imported more oil, helping to keep supplies stable — though total imports are still lower than they were last year.

Oil stockpiles increased modestly, which is good news for short-term supply, but they’re still below average for this time of year. Gasoline and diesel inventories dropped again, suggesting that people and businesses are still using plenty of fuel, or that refineries are catching up after seasonal maintenance.

Jet fuel use continues to rise, showing that air travel remains strong and the economy is still active. Meanwhile, overall fuel use is slightly lower than last year, possibly because of higher prices, more efficient vehicles, or slower economic growth.

The U.S. has enough oil and fuel for now, but since supplies are still below normal, prices could jump if global oil markets are disrupted or if demand increases quickly.

Send a message to learn more

11/04/2025

Our new website is officially up and running!

We’re excited to share a fresh new look and an even better way to connect with top opportunities and talent across the refining, petrochemical, and engineering industries.

When it comes to recruiting, Tommy Cooper stands out for a reason. He’s known for his reliability, integrity, and deep industry knowledge — consistently helping companies find exceptional candidates and professionals find the perfect fit.

Whether you’re hiring or exploring your next career move, Tommy is the recruiter you want in your corner.

Visit our new website to learn more and see how we can help you reach your goals.

www.cpcandassociates.com

CPC & Associates provides an efficient, effective, and enjoyable recruiting and staffing experience to job-seekers and employers in the refining and petrochemical industries.

09/27/2025

What This Week’s Oil Draw Means for You

Both the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) published their weekly petroleum reports, and the numbers are giving traders and analysts plenty to think about. Crude inventories moved lower again, and refiners are running near full tilt to keep gasoline and distillate supplies flowing.

But what does this mean for you? In short: tighter supply is keeping upward pressure on oil prices, while stronger product output ensures markets remain well-supplied — at least for now.

Crude Oil

EIA (Sept. 24): Inventories decreased by 0.6 million barrels.

API (Sept. 23): Reported a larger, unexpected draw.

Impact: API’s surprise decline pushed oil prices to a 3-week high before the EIA confirmed a smaller draw.

Gasoline

Production: Averaged 9.7 million barrels per day, reflecting strong seasonal output.

Distillates (Diesel & Heating Oil)

Production: Increased by 29,000 barrels per day, signaling early preparation for heating demand.

Refinery Operations

Inputs: Averaged 16.5 million barrels per day, up 52,000 barrels from the week prior.

Refiners continue to operate at high capacity.

Key Takeaways

Crude inventories are trending lower, though EIA and API results differ in scale.

Gasoline and distillate production are increasing, balancing supply but possibly weighing on margins if demand slows.

Oil prices remain supported, holding near recent highs.

Why It Matters for Businesses

Fuel Costs: Companies with transportation exposure should anticipate continued price pressure at the pump.

Budget Planning: Higher oil prices could influence Q4 cost forecasts for logistics, shipping, and operations.

Market Watch: Inventory draws point to ongoing supply tightness — a factor to monitor for potential volatility as we head into the heating season.

Bottom Line: The market remains finely balanced. While refiners are keeping products flowing, crude draws are keeping prices supported — a reminder for businesses to stay alert to cost pressures in the weeks ahead.

Send a message to learn more