Main Topic: U.S. gas prices hit an eight-month high amid rising oil prices.
Key Points:
1. National average price for a gallon of regular unleaded climbed to $3.71, the highest level since November.
2. Gas prices are up by at least $0.15 cents in 16 states in the past week alone.
3. Surge in oil prices, production cuts by OPEC nations, and U.S. refinery outages contribute to the increase in gas prices.
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.
The natural gas market remains stagnant, with little activity and a soft demand, however, there is potential for growth if it breaks above the $3.00 level.
The price of Brent crude oil hitting triple digits this year is debatable, with some experts believing it is unlikely due to macro factors and demand concerns, while others predict it could reach $100 per barrel if certain conditions are met, such as consistent OECD crude and product stock draws and OPEC adherence to production cuts.
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 are trying to recover and show signs of support, with a "buy on the dips" attitude prevailing due to Saudi Arabia holding 1 million barrels per day out of the market, although supply concerns may arise despite a global slowdown.
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.
The average retail price of regular gasoline in the United States has increased by 6% over the past five weeks, reaching $3.81 per gallon heading into the Labor Day weekend, due to factors such as oil production cuts, low gasoline inventories, and refinery maintenance.
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.
Gas prices are historically high for Labor Day, with the national average for regular gas at $3.83 a gallon and some states averaging $4 a gallon or more due to factors such as OPEC holding back supply, extreme heat affecting refineries, and easing recession fears boosting oil prices.
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.
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.
GasBuddy predicts a potential spike in gas prices of 50 cents to $1 per gallon in several states, including Minnesota, due to a possible refinery outage.
If Saudi Arabia continues to keep its output low, oil prices could surpass $100 as the market has yet to experience the full impact of its production cuts, according to Vortexa.
The OPEC+ decision to cut production is putting inflationary pressure on the US and its allies, while China's encouragement of higher oil and gas prices may have negative economic consequences for the country. The short-term steady equilibrium price for Brent is projected to be around $80-85 per barrel, with a ceiling of $95 per barrel.
Oil prices are climbing towards $100 per barrel due to supply disruptions in Libya and expectations of a further U.S. inventory draw.
Some grades of crude oil, such as Nigerian crude Qua Iboe and Malaysian crude Tapis, are already trading above $100 a barrel, highlighting expectations of tight supply as oil prices continue to rise due to concerns of a supply deficit in the fourth quarter.
Global oil prices continue to soar, with Brent crude nearing $95 per barrel and some crude grades surpassing $100, driven by tight supply, excess demand, and production cut extensions by Saudi Arabia and Russia.
The average price of gasoline in the United States has risen to $3.881 per gallon, compared to $3.678 per gallon a year ago, due to refinery outages in the western United States.
Crude oil prices reach new highs despite concerns about China's economy and tightened monetary policies, with the oil market structure indicating strong demand and potential support for higher prices.
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.
Gas prices in the US have reached their highest level in 11 months, posing challenges for the Federal Reserve in its campaign to control inflation. Factors contributing to the increase include rising oil prices, production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia, reduced refinery production due to hot weather, and low reserves in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. However, prices are expected to decrease with the switch to a cheaper gasoline blend in the fall and projected global economic slowdown in 2024.
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.
Oil prices reaching $95 per barrel, the highest level since November 2022, pose a setback for Rishi Sunak's goal of halving inflation, with analysts predicting a 7.1% rise in consumer prices in August due to petrol price increases, adding to inflationary pressures and potentially influencing the Bank of England's interest rate decision.
Goldman Sachs has raised its crude target for the next 12 months to $100 per barrel due to lower OPEC supply, higher demand, and increased geopolitical tensions, with other firms also forecasting oil prices reaching $100 per barrel.
Crude prices are expected to receive a boost as stockpiles at the key US storage hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, are at risk of reaching the lowest level in nearly a decade, potentially leading to a return of $100 oil by year-end.
Oil prices reached a 2023 high as inventories at the largest storage hub in the US decreased, leading to speculation of $100 per barrel oil in the near future.
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 prices near $100 per barrel, driven by supply cuts from major producers, may not be sustainable in the long term due to global economic fragility, incoming seasonal demand drops, and the potential for demand destruction once prices reach $110 per barrel.
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.
The head of OPEC warns that a lack of investment in the oil industry poses a danger to global energy security and could cause crude prices to reach $100 a barrel.
U.S. gasoline prices are expected to decrease and may reach $3 per gallon due to a drop in crude oil futures, potentially benefiting consumers and cooling inflation but also indicating economic weakness with low gasoline demand.
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.
Crude oil prices could rise to $140 per barrel, potentially triggering a global recession, due to tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of a broader conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to Allianz Trade.
