A strong dollar and worries about a global economic slowdown are weighing on oil
19 August 2022 - 11:21
byShadia Nasralla
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London — Oil prices slipped on Friday after two days of gains and are heading for weekly losses as a strong dollar and worries about a global economic slowdown weigh.
Brent crude futures were down 97c, or 1%, at $95.62 a barrel by 08:26 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $89.59 a barrel, down 91c or 1%.
Both benchmark contracts were headed for weekly losses of close to 3%.
A strong dollar has made oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, while Asian and European equities dropped.
In a sign of easing oil supply tightness, the price gap between prompt and second-month Brent futures narrowed by about $5 a barrel from the end of July.
“Global recession and demand destruction are front and centre of current concerns given weak data out of the US , eurozone and China. Signs of slowing economic growth are pervasive and could dent oil demand,” PVM analysts said.
Giving a floor to prices, US crude inventories fell sharply as the nation exported a record 5-million barrels of oil a day in the most recent week, with oil companies finding demand from European nations looking to replace crude from Russia.
Haitham Al Ghais, the new secretary-general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, told Reuters he was optimistic about oil demand into 2023.
Opec is keen to ensure Russia remains part of the Opec+ group, Al Ghais said ahead of a September 5 meeting.
Supplies could tighten again when European buyers start seeking alternative supplies to replace Russian oil ahead of EU sanctions which take effect from December 5.
“We calculate the EU will need to replace 1.2-million barrels per day of seaborne Russian crude imports with crude from other regions,” consultancy FGE said in a note.
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 slips, heads for weekly loss
A strong dollar and worries about a global economic slowdown are weighing on oil
London — Oil prices slipped on Friday after two days of gains and are heading for weekly losses as a strong dollar and worries about a global economic slowdown weigh.
Brent crude futures were down 97c, or 1%, at $95.62 a barrel by 08:26 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $89.59 a barrel, down 91c or 1%.
Both benchmark contracts were headed for weekly losses of close to 3%.
A strong dollar has made oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, while Asian and European equities dropped.
In a sign of easing oil supply tightness, the price gap between prompt and second-month Brent futures narrowed by about $5 a barrel from the end of July.
“Global recession and demand destruction are front and centre of current concerns given weak data out of the US , eurozone and China. Signs of slowing economic growth are pervasive and could dent oil demand,” PVM analysts said.
Giving a floor to prices, US crude inventories fell sharply as the nation exported a record 5-million barrels of oil a day in the most recent week, with oil companies finding demand from European nations looking to replace crude from Russia.
Haitham Al Ghais, the new secretary-general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, told Reuters he was optimistic about oil demand into 2023.
Opec is keen to ensure Russia remains part of the Opec+ group, Al Ghais said ahead of a September 5 meeting.
Supplies could tighten again when European buyers start seeking alternative supplies to replace Russian oil ahead of EU sanctions which take effect from December 5.
“We calculate the EU will need to replace 1.2-million barrels per day of seaborne Russian crude imports with crude from other regions,” consultancy FGE said in a note.
Reuters
European stocks fall on strong dollar, weak German and UK data
Oil dips as Opec shifts blame for high prices
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