2022-11-09 11:10:00
OIL PRICE: BRENT NEAR $95, WTI NEAR $89 AGAIN
REUTERS - Nov 9 - Oil prices edged lower as industry data showed U.S. crude stockpiles rose more than expected and on worries a rebound in COVID-19 cases in top importer China would hurt fuel demand.
Brent crude futures fell 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $95.27 a barrel by 0727 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 20 cents, or 0.2%, to $88.71 a barrel. The benchmarks fell around 3% on Tuesday.
U.S. crude oil inventories rose by about 5.6 million barrels for the week ended Nov. 4, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures, while seven analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories would rise by about 1.4 million barrels.
Last week, the market had latched on to hopes that China might be moving toward relaxing COVID-19 restrictions but over the weekend health officials said they would stick to their "dynamic-clearing" approach to new infections.
COVID-19 cases in Guangzhou and other Chinese cities have surged, with millions of residents of the global manufacturing hub being required to have COVID-19 tests on Wednesday.
"With that (China reopening) narrative getting pushed back, coupled with a considerable build on U.S. inventory data, implying dimming U.S. demand, the recessionary crews are back out in full force this morning in Asia," Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, said in a note.
CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said despite tight supply in the physical markets, China's slowdown in demand has a major impact on the oil futures markets.
In another bearish sign, API data showed gasoline inventories rose by about 2.6 million barrels, against analysts' forecasts for a 1.1 million drawdown.
The market will be looking out for official U.S. inventory data from the Energy Information Administration due at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT) for a further view on demand in the world's biggest economy.
Meanwhile, supply concerns remain.
"In addition to ongoing OPEC+ supply cuts, Russian oil supply should fall as the EU ban on Russian crude and refined products comes into effect," ING commodities strategists said in a note.
The EU will ban Russian crude imports by Dec. 5 and Russian oil products by Feb. 5, in retaliation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation".
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Earlier:
2022, November, 7, 12:10:00
OIL PRICE: BRENT NEAR $98, WTI NEAR $92
Brent dropped $1.24 or 1.26% to trade at $97.33 a barrel, WTI was at $91.17 a barrel, down $1.44.
2022, November, 7, 12:05:00
OPEC MARKET DECISIONS
OPEC and non-OPEC allies — generally referred to as OPEC+ — agreed at this week’s meeting in Vienna to reduce production by 2 million BPD from November levels.
2022, November, 7, 12:00:00
OPEC+, U.S. OIL RELATIONS
The US reaction to the Saudi-led decision was swift. President Joe Biden has warned of "consequences," and the country has announced more releases of crude from its strategic reserves.
2022, November, 3, 12:25:00
OIL PRICE: BRENT NEAR $95, WTI NEAR $89 YET
Brent dropped 85 cents, or 0.9%, to $95.30 a barrel, WTI fell $1.01, or 1.1%, to $88.99.
2022, November, 2, 11:50:00
OIL PRICE: BRENT NEAR $95, WTI NEAR $89 ANEW
Brent rose 54 cents, or 0.6%, to $95.19 a barrel, WTI rose 72 cents, or 0.8%, to $89.09 a barrel.
2022, November, 1, 17:15:00
OIL PRICE: BRENT NEAR $95, WTI NEAR $89
Brent rose $1.95, or 2.1%, to $94.76 per barrel, WTI rose $1.93, or 2.23%, to $88.46 a barrel.
2022, November, 1, 17:10:00
GLOBAL ENERGY DEMAND WILL UP BY 23%
Global primary energy demand is forecast to continue growing in the medium- and long-term, increasing by a significant 23% in the period to 2045. The world needs to annually add on average 2.7 million barrels of oil equivalent a day to 2045.
