Latest News

Oil prices climb up 2% to 4-month high on lower Iraq, Saudi exports

Oil rates climbed about 2% to a fourmonth high up on Monday on lower crude exports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and signs of more powerful need and economic development in China and the U.S.

Brent futures rose $1.55, or 1.8%, to settle at $ 86.89 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.68, or 2.1%, to settle at $82.72.

That pushed both benchmarks into technically overbought area with Brent closing at its highest considering that Oct. 31 and WTI closing at its highest considering that Oct. 27.

In other energy markets, U.S. gas futures closed at their highest since Aug. 31.

On the supply side, Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer, said it would minimize unrefined exports to 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in coming months to make up for surpassing its OPEC+. quota given that January, a pledge that would cut deliveries by. 130,000 bpd from last month.

In January and February, Iraq pumped considerably more oil. than an output target developed in January when numerous. members of the Company of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. ( OPEC) and allies like Russia, a group called OPEC+, agreed to. support the market.

In Saudi Arabia, OPEC's biggest producer, unrefined exports fell. for a second straight month, down to 6.297 million bpd in. January from 6.308 million bpd in December.

In Russia, on the other hand, Ukrainian attacks on energy. infrastructure have idled around 7% of refining capability in the. Quarter, according to a analysis.

Market individuals stated refinery interruptions will push Russia. to increase oil exports through its western ports in March by. practically 200,000 bpd to around 2.15 million bpd.

In the U.S., meanwhile, oil output from top shale-producing. regions will increase in April to the greatest level in four months,. according to a federal energy outlook.

INDICATIONS OF GROWING NEED

In China, the world's greatest oil importer, factory output. and retail sales beat expectations in the January-February. period, marking a solid start for 2024 and using some relief. to policymakers even as weakness in the property sector remains. a drag on the economy and confidence. Petroleum is up ... today. With demand for crude from China. continuing to be a dominant factor, analysts at energy. consulting company Gelber and Associates said in a note.

China's crude oil throughput in January and February rose 3%. compared to the exact same 2 months a year previously as refineries. raised production to meet strong demand for transportation fuels over. the hectic Lunar New Year travel duration.

In the world's most significant economy, the U.S. Federal Reserve. When,( Fed) is commonly expected to keep interest rates the same. it ends its newest two-day policy conference on Wednesday.

Stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth and stickier. inflation this year have led investors to press back expectations. on the Fed's very first rate cut to June, from May, and minimize bets. on the number of cuts are likely this year.

Lower interest rates would lower the cost of purchasing items. and services, which might improve financial growth and increase oil. demand.

In a relocation expected to increase oil demand, U.S. Energy. Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated crude oil stockpiles in the. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) at year-end will be at or. going beyond the level that would have existed prior to massive. sales two years ago.

In other U.S. news expected to boost oil need, BP's. 435,000 bpd Whiting, Indiana, refinery has returned to regular. operations for the first time because a February power interruption.

(source: Reuters)