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Oil settles greater as Russia orders output cuts, geopolitical tensions continue

Oil prices settled higher on Monday as orders from the Russian federal government to suppress oil output, and attacks on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine balanced out the United Nation's demand for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Brent unrefined futures settled $1.32 higher or 1.55%,. at $86.75 a barrel. U.S. crude futures settled $1.32. higher, or 1.64%, at $81.95.

Both standards have actually increased progressively this year, with Brent up. almost 11% and WTI up about 12.5% by Friday's close, on. expectations that interest rates in significant economies will come. down by the summer, and geopolitical stress in eastern Europe. and the Middle East.

Moscow, on the other hand, has actually purchased companies to lower oil. output in the 2nd quarter to meet a production target of 9. million barrels daily (bpd) by the end of June, in line with. its promises to the manufacturer group OPEC+, 3 industry sources. said on Monday.

Russia is committed to the OPEC+ cuts. They are looking. beyond the existing supply and demand fundamentals and looking at. unity with OPEC+, in addition to the risk of a bigger price shock. even more down the roadway, stated Phil Flynn, analyst at Rate. Futures Group.

Attacks on Russian energy facilities and Ukrainian energy. infrastructure have stired supply concerns, stated Hiroyuki. Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, an unit of Nissan Securities.

Another Russian oil refinery had half of its capability. knocked out in a drone attack over the weekend, sources told. . It was the most recent casualty from a string of attacks by. Ukraine this month that have actually shuttered 7% of overall refining. capability, estimations show, on top of unassociated. maintenance.

Russia assaulted Ukrainian generating and transmission. facilities recently and over the weekend, causing blackouts in. many areas.

Elsewhere, the United Nations Security Council embraced a. resolution on Monday demanding an instant ceasefire between. Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and the release of all. hostages after the United States abstained from the vote.

We will need to see how the U.N. resolution on a ceasefire. in fact plays out on the ground in Gaza, and whether that would. ultimately result in the Houthis stopping their attacks on. tanker traffic in the Red Sea, Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow. Oil Associates stated.

Yemen-based Houthi rebels have actually been increase attacks on. ships passing through the Red Sea in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

If the, a ceasefire could help eliminate supply traffic jams. Houthis unwind their attacks by enabling vessels to use the. Suez Canal instead of taking longer, more costly diversions. around the horn of Africa.

(source: Reuters)