Summary: Oil prices are expected to continue rising due to tightening in the physical market, with a projected deficit of 2MMbbls/d in the second half of 2023, and forecasts of Brent averaging $86/bbl over 3Q23 and $92/bbl over 4Q23, while the medium sour crude market tightens, and concerns remain over Russian oil supply risks and global demand.
Oil prices edge higher in an uncertain market as US crude futures rise 0.1% to $78.94 a barrel, despite a 2% drop for the week, due to production cuts by major oil producers and a mixed US economy.
Oil prices rose over 1% as the dollar strengthened ahead of a speech by the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve for clues on interest rates, with Brent crude reaching $84.29 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude at $79.92, while a strong dollar and recent inventory draws affected demand and supply.
Crude oil prices rose after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a larger-than-expected inventory decline of 10.6 million barrels for the week ending August 25.
A group of oil analysts and economists have raised their 2023 oil price forecasts, predicting Brent crude will average $82.45 a barrel and that Saudi Arabia is likely to extend its voluntary oil supply cut into October.
The price of WTI crude oil reached a new high for the year, hitting $85 per barrel, due to falling inventory levels and factors such as production cuts and a weakening dollar.
Oil prices jumped over 2.5% after OPEC+ members extended supply reductions, with Brent International topping $90 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate hovering above $87 per barrel, as Saudi Arabia announced an extension of its production cut and Russia reduced its exports. Despite slow recovery and increased production, crude futures have rallied more than 25% since late June, with experts predicting prices to continue rising unless a recession occurs. China's demand for petrochemicals has been dampened, but their mobility demand post-lockdowns has offset this.
Brent crude oil is trading at around $90 a barrel and could potentially reach $100 a barrel, leading to global market disruptions and potential inflationary effects on the global economy.
Oil prices could reach triple-digit territory by next year if Russia and Saudi Arabia maintain their aggressive supply cuts, according to Goldman Sachs, with Brent crude potentially climbing to $107 a barrel by December 2024.
Goldman Sachs predicts that oil prices could reach $107 per barrel next year if OPEC+ producers maintain their production cuts, although this is not their base-case scenario.
Crude oil prices in the US increased due to a 6.3 million barrel inventory draw, following a massive decline of 10.6 million barrels the previous week, bringing inventories to the lowest in eight months.
Oil prices are climbing towards $100 per barrel due to supply disruptions in Libya and expectations of a further U.S. inventory draw.
Goldman Sachs strategists predict that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to raise interest rates at its upcoming meeting, but expect the central bank to increase its economic growth projections and make slight adjustments to its interest rate projections.
Oil prices continue to rise as OPEC+ supply cuts tighten the market, with Brent crude surpassing $94 a barrel and speculators increasing bullish wagers on Brent and West Texas Intermediate, leading to concerns about inflationary pressures.
Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, stated that the decision to extend crude oil supply cuts with Russia is not about raising prices, but rather about making the right decision at the appropriate time based on data and clarity, as oil prices near $100 per barrel and analysts predict further increases.
Chevron CEO says the economy can handle rising oil prices, with prices on track to reach $100 per barrel due to supply constraints and a resilient global economy.
Goldman Sachs predicts that crude oil prices could reach $100 a barrel, posing a risk to global economic growth and complicating central bankers' efforts to control inflation, which could impact interest rate policies and further increase gasoline prices.
The Federal Reserve has left interest rates unchanged but indicated the possibility of one more rate hike, causing U.S. markets to slump and Treasury yields to rise, while European markets saw gains; Instacart shares sank, Klaviyo shares jumped, and Arm shares continued to slide; UK inflation for August was lower than expected, throwing the Bank of England's next move into question; Goldman Sachs has raised its 12-month oil price forecast to $100 per barrel.
Goldman Sachs is not concerned about the recent surge in oil prices for three main reasons: the increase in oil prices is relatively small compared to previous periods, falling electricity prices offset higher oil prices, and the Federal Reserve is unlikely to raise interest rates in response to the increase in oil prices.
Oil traders have been heavily buying crude and fuel futures over the past four weeks, leading to a ratio of bullish to bearish bets on oil and fuels of almost 8:1, indicating that oil prices may be due for a correction.
Oil majors ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP are near buy points as U.S. crude oil prices continue to rise above $90 per barrel.
Oil prices hit their highest levels in over a year as ongoing production cuts raise concerns about the global economy, while the specter of $100 oil looms and supply tightness becomes apparent with reduced stockpiles and increased refining. Higher interest rates may dampen crude demand, but for now, the focus remains on supply.
Oil industry analysts have raised their price forecasts for 2023, with most expecting Brent Crude to average $84.09 per barrel, but few foresee sustained $100 oil due to an artificially tightened market and uncertain global economic outlook.
OPEC has raised its long-term forecast for global oil demand, predicting that it will reach 116 million barrels per day by 2045 and requiring $14 trillion in investment to meet this upswing, despite the expansion of renewable energy technologies.
OPEC has increased its long-term oil demand forecast to 116 million barrels per day by 2045, contradicting the International Energy Agency's prediction that demand will peak.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the threat of a ground invasion of Gaza by Israel, have raised concerns about disruptions to oil supplies and driven up oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude climbing 3.6% to $85.93 a barrel and Brent crude jumping 4% to $89.41 a barrel.
Oil prices surged on Friday due to speculation of Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, the possibility of further sanctions on Iranian oil, and concerns about a blockage in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude oil rose towards $90 a barrel, and WTI oil headed higher, despite a large EIA storage build.
Oil prices saw a significant increase after Iran called for an embargo against Israel and a decrease in US stockpiles indicated higher crude demand, with Brent crude rising almost 2% and West Texas Intermediate also experiencing a nearly 2% increase.
