Urals, Russia’s main crude export blend, has traded at a significant discount to the Brent benchmark since the European Union banned almost all seaborne imports of oil and petroleum products from the country, and the Group of Seven industrialized nations imposed a price cap.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 0.6 million barrels to 470.5 million barrels.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 3.7 million barrels to 470.0 million barrels.

Brent settled up 13 cents, or 0.2%, at $85.12 a barrel, WTI closed 9 cents, or 0.1%, higher at $80.70.

This will bring the total additional voluntary production adjustments by the above-mentioned countries to 1.66 million b/d.

Brent were down 19 cents, or -0.24%, at $79.08 a barrel, WTI fell by 1 cent, or -0.01%, to $74.36.

Europe’s appetite for new LNG projects is pushing the continent to boost its import capacity by one-third, but the mismatch between future LNG demand and import facilities might result in 200-250 billion cubic metres (bcm) of unused capacity by 2030.

Banking crisis seems to be a regulatory issue not a monetary policy issue. Dollar may get a leg up higher soon despite the fluid situation. Natural credit tightening by banks being a factor to consider, also remembering the Core PCE Data during the week.

Brent slid 48 cents, or 0.6%, to $75.43 a barrel, WTI dropped 52 cents, or 0.7%, to $69.44 a barrel.

For 2023, the world oil demand growth forecast remains unchanged at 2.3 mb/d, with the OECD Americas and OECD Europe revised slightly lower, while China is revised higher, with jet/kerosene and gasoline leading demand growth.

Germany suffered the most among EU member states from the Russian supply curtailments, with a number of buyers forced to buy expensive gas on the open market to make up for the Russian shortfall.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 1.1 million barrels to 481.2 million barrels.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 1.6 million barrels to 480.1 million barrels.

Brent climbed 93 cents, or 1.2%, to $78.38 a barrel, WTI gained 96 cents, or 1.4%, to $72.29 a barrel.

Brent dipped 63 cents, or 0.8%, to $80.96 a barrel, WTI was down 69 cents, or 0.9%, at $75.03.