2021-02-03 13:00:00
OIL PRICE: NEAR $58
REUTERS - FEBRUARY 3, 2021 - Oil hit an 11-month high on Wednesday, boosted by a draw in U.S. crude and gasoline stocks, which fuelled demand recovery hopes as OPEC+ has forecast that the market will be in deficit in 2021.
Brent crude futures were up 48 cents, or 0.8%, to $57.94 a barrel at 0839 GMT, their highest since late February 2020.
The contract’s “backwardation” structure, where oil for nearby delivery is more expensive than further forward, was near a one-year high at more than $2, indicating expectations of tighter supply.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 34 cents, or 0.6%, to $55.10 a barrel. The benchmark hit a one-year high at $55.26 on Tuesday.
The market was also bolstered by news that Democrats in the U.S. Congress took the first steps toward advancing President Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid plan without Republican support.
The API oil industry association reported U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 4.3 million barrels in the week to Jan. 29.
Gasoline stocks fell by 240,000 barrels, defying analysts’ expectations for a build of 1.1 million barrels. Distillate inventories also fell.
U.S. government inventory data is due at 1530 GMT.
Prices were also buoyed by the latest assessment by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies that the oil market could be in deficit throughout this year, a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday showed.
“Underpinning the bullish sentiment are tightening fundamentals. Ahead of today’s ministerial meeting, OPEC+ hinted that global oil stockpiles will decline below the five-year average by June,” PVM analysts said.
The ministerial meeting will convene on Wednesday, although it is not expected to recommend any adjustments to oil output policy.
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Earlier:
2021, February, 2, 12:20:00
OIL PRICE: NOT BELOW $56
Brent was up 48 cents, or 0.9%, at $56.83 a barrel. WTI gained 52 cents, or 1%, to $54.07.
2021, February, 1, 12:25:00
OIL PRICE: NOT BELOW $55
Brent were up 53 cents, or 1%, at $55.57 a barrel. WTI gained 41 cents, or 0.8%, to $52.61.
2021, January, 29, 14:35:00
OIL PRICE: BELOW $56 YET
Brent rose 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $55.76 a barrel. WTI rose 7 cents, or 0.1%, to $52.41.
2021, January, 28, 13:20:00
OIL PRICE: BELOW $56 AGAIN
Brent fell 46 cents, or 0.8%, to $55.35 a barrel. WTI fell 36 cents, or 0.7%, to $52.49 a barrel.
2021, January, 28, 13:10:00
OPEC: DIALOGUE, COOPERATION, RESPECT
OPEC reaffirms its faith – time and time again – of the need for dialogue, cooperation, and respect.
2021, January, 28, 13:05:00
SAUDI ARABIA'S BRILLIANT MOVE
"The surprise cut that they have done recently is a really brilliant move that led to stabilization of the market joined by other OPEC members at the most critical time," Dmitriev, who has been leading Russia's diplomacy in Saudi Arabia alongside Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, said at the Saudi Future Investment Initiative conference.
2021, January, 27, 14:15:00
OIL PRICE: BELOW $57
Brent climbed 51 cents, or 0.9%, to $56.42 a barrel. WTI rose 41 cents, or 0.8%, to $53.02.
