Key Highlights

  • WTI crude traded between about USD 92 and USD 95 and Brent between about USD 104 and USD 106 on October 13, 2026, with settlements differing by provider.
  • Conflicting WTI settlements of USD 91.78, USD 94.14, USD 94.34 and USD 95.70 appear in published accounts, so one exchange settlement should be used before relying on a level.
  • Diesel futures rose 2.1% to USD 4.82 as refiners rallied, after the US eased limits on Russian diesel and Houthis struck Saudi sites. Refiners benefit when diesel rises faster than crude.
  • United States Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:USO) is a US-listed fund that gives exposure to crude oil futures, though its own price move is not cited and its returns can differ from spot prices.

A Whipsaw Session

Oil traded in a wide range on October 13, 2026. WTI crude was between about USD 92 and USD 95, with settlement figures of USD 91.78 (down 2.09%), USD 94.14 (up 0.43%), USD 94.34 and USD 95.70 (up 1.6%) in different accounts. Brent was near USD 104 to USD 106. Two events pulled in opposite directions: the US eased limits on Russian diesel, which can add supply, while Houthis struck Saudi sites, which raised supply concerns. The Brent to WTI spread of near USD 13 was wide, and gasoline stayed above USD 4 on the most days in a single year. Such conflicting readings are common when snapshots are taken at different times, so the safest approach is to cite a range and name the date.

Diesel and Refiners

Diesel futures rose 2.1% to USD 4.82 and refiners rallied. A refiner earns the crack spread, the gap between the price of crude and the products made from it, and a higher diesel price widens it when crude does not rise as much. Diesel also carries through to freight and food costs, which is why oil and diesel are cited as the main push behind the September inflation print due on October 14. United States Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:USO) holds near-month crude oil futures, so its return depends on futures prices and the cost of rolling contracts, which can differ from spot oil. Gasoline above USD 4 on the most days in a single year adds a consumer angle, because fuel prices are visible to households and feed straight into the inflation measures that guide the Federal Reserve.

Risks and What to Watch

The first risk is supply: attacks on Saudi sites could escalate, while eased Russian diesel limits could cool prices. The second is demand, since high yields and weak housing and auto demand may slow growth. A third is data quality, because the conflicting settlements mean any single price should be verified. Watch the CPI release at 8:30 a.m. ET on October 14, 2026, weekly inventory data and any new sanctions decisions. Fund investors should also remember that futures-based funds can lag or lead spot oil, particularly when the curve is steep. Investors should also watch Saudi export routes and Red Sea shipping disruption, since attacks on infrastructure can lift insurance and freight costs even when physical output is unchanged.

Where Things Stand

The answer is a collision of supply signals: eased Russian diesel limits pushed one way and Houthi strikes on Saudi sites the other, leaving WTI between about USD 92 and USD 95. Settlements conflict, so levels are ranges. United States Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:USO) offers futures exposure but its own move is not cited. Supply, demand and data quality are the risks. This is not advice. Until supply headlines settle, ranges will be more reliable than any single settlement.