US Energy Secretary Chris Wright rejected calls for a diesel export ban, warning that restricting shipments would force refiners to cut output and inflate gasoline prices. Meanwhile, Kenya announced the groundbreaking for a $20 billion refinery, and Russia reported a 3.5% increase in natural gas production.
Global market
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright publicly opposed a ban on US diesel exports, warning that restricting shipments would backfire by forcing refiners to curtail output and driving up gasoline and jet fuel prices. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), commercial crude stockpiles rose by 3 million barrels to 426.4 million barrels, standing 2% above the five-year average, while distillate inventories remain 12% below average. In East Africa, Kenya will break ground September 30 on the $20 billion East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu, backed by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote to process 700,000 barrels of crude per day. In commodities, Glencore committed $500 million to the US EXIM Bank Project Vault critical minerals stockpile.
Russia & CIS
Russian natural gas production increased 3.5% year-on-year to 379 billion cubic meters in January–August 2026, while LNG output surged 13.7%, according to Rosstat. On domestic fuel markets, average AI-92 petrol prices eased to 74.59 rubles per liter, with fuel prices declining across 25 regions. In diplomacy, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Moscow and Kyiv show interest in suspending strikes on energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia’s Economic Development Ministry mandated that eight major holdings, including Rosneft and Transneft, partially relocate head offices from Moscow to regional centers. In judicial news, former police Major General Sergey Malkov was moved to house arrest over fuel theft charges.
Armenia
Armenian Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Davit Mesropyan discussed South Caucasus energy grid integration with counterparts in Tbilisi and Baku, Sputnik Armenia reported. The delegations also evaluated potential steps to connect regional power networks to Turkey’s electricity grid. US diesel policy debates and Russian gas output statistics received close coverage in Armenian media. Nevertheless, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas in Armenia remain stable. Natural gas deliveries and Armenian Nuclear Power Plant operations proceed without disruption under EAEU trade agreements, shielding domestic consumers from global price volatility recorded by international market price assessments.