Covid resurgence in Europe raises concerns about demand, though bigger than expected drop in US inventories caps losses
17 November 2021 - 13:48
byAhmad Ghaddar
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London — Oil prices fell on Wednesday after the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Opec warned of impending oversupply and as Covid-19 cases in Europe increased the downside risks to demand recovery. A fall in US petroleum stocks curbed losses, though.
Brent crude futures dropped 79c, or 1%, by 10.38am GMT to $81.64 a barrel, erasing Tuesday’s 38c gain.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 94c, or 1.2%, to $79.82 a barrel, extending Tuesday’s 12c loss.
The IEA on Tuesday warned that while the “oil market remains tight by all measures ... a reprieve from the price rally could be on the horizon ... due to rising oil supplies”.
The agency said that high price levels will result in US oil production rising again in 2022, accounting for about 60% of its forecast of 1.9-million barrels a day for non-Opec supply growth.
On Tuesday, Opec secretary-general Mohammad Barkindo said the group sees signs of a surplus building from next month, adding that its members and allies will have to be “very, very cautious”.
New waves of Covid-19 cases in Europe which drove some governments to reimpose restrictions also weighed on prices.
“The impact has thus far been negligible,” oil brokerage PVM’s Stephen Brennock said. “That being said, the risk is there for the situation to escalate and mobility levels to be severely undermined in the coming months,” he added.
A larger than expected fall in US petroleum stocks capped some losses. Data from the American Petroleum Institute industry group on Tuesday showed petroleum stocks fell by 2.8-million barrels in the week ended November 12, according to market sources.
The drawdown was much bigger than the 600,000-barrel decrease that 10 analysts polled by Reuters had expected.
Crude inventories rose by 655,000 barrels, the market sources said, compared with expectations for a 1.4-million barrel build, while distillate stocks rose by 107,000 barrels.
Official Energy Information Administration data is due later on Wednesday.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Oil slides as IEA warns of impending oversupply
Covid resurgence in Europe raises concerns about demand, though bigger than expected drop in US inventories caps losses
London — Oil prices fell on Wednesday after the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Opec warned of impending oversupply and as Covid-19 cases in Europe increased the downside risks to demand recovery. A fall in US petroleum stocks curbed losses, though.
Brent crude futures dropped 79c, or 1%, by 10.38am GMT to $81.64 a barrel, erasing Tuesday’s 38c gain.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 94c, or 1.2%, to $79.82 a barrel, extending Tuesday’s 12c loss.
The IEA on Tuesday warned that while the “oil market remains tight by all measures ... a reprieve from the price rally could be on the horizon ... due to rising oil supplies”.
The agency said that high price levels will result in US oil production rising again in 2022, accounting for about 60% of its forecast of 1.9-million barrels a day for non-Opec supply growth.
On Tuesday, Opec secretary-general Mohammad Barkindo said the group sees signs of a surplus building from next month, adding that its members and allies will have to be “very, very cautious”.
New waves of Covid-19 cases in Europe which drove some governments to reimpose restrictions also weighed on prices.
“The impact has thus far been negligible,” oil brokerage PVM’s Stephen Brennock said. “That being said, the risk is there for the situation to escalate and mobility levels to be severely undermined in the coming months,” he added.
A larger than expected fall in US petroleum stocks capped some losses. Data from the American Petroleum Institute industry group on Tuesday showed petroleum stocks fell by 2.8-million barrels in the week ended November 12, according to market sources.
The drawdown was much bigger than the 600,000-barrel decrease that 10 analysts polled by Reuters had expected.
Crude inventories rose by 655,000 barrels, the market sources said, compared with expectations for a 1.4-million barrel build, while distillate stocks rose by 107,000 barrels.
Official Energy Information Administration data is due later on Wednesday.
Reuters
European markets make small gains after Asian shares slip
Gold inches higher but strong dollar dims its appeal
Oil slides after petrol stocks fall more than expected
Asian shares battle despite strong Wall Street performance
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