As Wars Rage, Middle East's Waning Influence on World Oil Prices Exposed
The contained move in oil prices during the Israel-Iran war highlights the increasing efficiency of energy markets and fundamental changes to global crude supply, suggesting that Middle East politics will no longer be the dominant force in oil markets they once were.The jump in oil prices following Israel's surprise attack on Iran was meaningful but relatively modest considering the high stakes involved in the conflict between the Middle East rivals.Benchmark Brent crude prices…
SLB predicts flat revenue and profit for the quarter amid weaker activity across Saudi Arabia and Latin America
Olivier Le Peuch, CEO of oilfield services firm SLB, said that the company expects the second-quarter revenue to be similar to the first quarter because drilling activity is weaker in Saudi Arabia and Latin America. Speaking at the J.P. Morgan Energy, Power & Renewables Conference, the CEO said that the company's Saudi Arabian activity had decreased more than expected, as several rigs were demobilized, and operations at the Jafurah unconventional gas field have been paused.
North Dakota drilling and fracking activity stable as prices fluctuate, state regulator states
In a Tuesday monthly briefing, the state regulator revealed that despite recent volatility in oil prices, the number of frac crews and rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged in June. There are 32 rigs and 13 frac crews currently operating in North Dakota. Baker Hughes, an energy services company, said that the U.S. energy companies last week reduced oil and natural-gas rigs by eight for the week, the first drop since September 2023. North Dakota is third in the nation for oil production.
GRAINS-Chicago soyabeans rebound after initial pressure from weaker soybean oil; corn and wheat dip
Chicago soybean futures stabilized after briefly being weighed down due to a drop in soyoil, which was attributed to easing concerns about crude oil supply disruptions from the Middle East. The most active soybean contract increased 0.14%, to $10.48-2/8 a bushel. This ended a two-day loss streak. Soyoil fell 1.03% to 52.69cents per pound. The oil prices fell on Tuesday, to their lowest levels in over a week, after Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached between Iran and Israel.
GRAINS: Soybeans rise as soyoil increases on Middle East tensions, but corn falls on favorable weather
Chicago soybean futures edged higher on Monday. This was supported by soyoil price gains after the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear installations stoked fears about global crude oil supply. As of 0301 GMT, the most active soybean contract increased 0.09% to $10.61-1/2 per bushel. Soyoil rose 1.14% to 55.09 Cents per Pound. The U.S. launched a major attack on Iranian nuclear sites at the weekend. This escalation boosted soyoil prices, which are closely linked to biofuels.
IEA: World oil demand will continue to grow this decade despite China's peak in 2027
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said that global oil demand will continue to grow until the end of the decade, despite a peak in China, the top importer, in 2027. This is because cheaper gasoline in the United States and a slower adoption rate for electric vehicles in this country support consumption. The IEA (which advises industrialised nations) did not alter its prediction that China's demand would peak earlier than 2029 due to the growth of electric vehicles.
Overview of Iran's major gas fields and oil infrastructure
Israel attacked an installation in Iran's South Pars Gas Field on Saturday. This was the first attack against Iran's oil-and-gas sector, as part of a long-term operation that the Israeli government warned would take place to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. Iran has temporarily suspended gas production at the South Pars Field, Iran's share of the world's biggest natural gas reserve. The field is located beneath the Gulf, and it's shared with Qatar, a major gas exporter.
Russell: What is not happening in Middle East crude oil supply matters more.
It can be useful to consider what isn't happening in the Middle East when tensions are rising. On the crude oil markets, this means that we should focus on the fact there has not been a single barrel lost. All parties are interested in this situation. Crude oil prices increased again during early Asian trade on Monday. Brent futures, the global benchmark, gained 2.1% and traded at $75.76 per barrel. Brent…
Russell: What is not happening in Middle East crude oil supply is more important than what is.
In times of increased tensions in the Middle East, it's more important to focus on what isn't happening than to fixate on the dramatic headlines about tit-fortat air and rocket strikes between Israel and Iran. This means that from the perspective of the crude oil market, it's important to focus on the fact that not a single barrel of crude supply has been lost. It is also in the interest of all parties involved that this continues to be the case.
Overview of Iran's major gas fields and oil infrastructure
Israel attacked an installation in Iran's South Pars Gas Field on Saturday. This was the first attack against Iran's oil-and-gas sector, as part of a long-term operation that the Israeli government warned would take place to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. Iran has temporarily suspended gas production at the South Pars Field, Iran's share of the world's biggest natural gas reserve. The field is located beneath the Gulf, and it's shared with Qatar, a major gas exporter.
Commodity Report: Meeting Oil Demand a Challenge if Israel Hits Iran Oil
Oil market participants have switched to dreading a shortage in fuel from focusing on impending oversupply in just two days this week.After Israel attacked Iran and Tehran pledged to retaliate, oil prices jumped as much as 13% to their highest since January as investors price in an increased probability of a major disruption in Middle East oil supplies.Part of the reason for the rapid spike is that spare capacity…
US sanctions on Serbia's NIS Oil Firm are lifted
The United States has granted a third waiver of sanctions to the Serbian oil company Naftna Industrija Srbije. It is owned by Russia's Gazprom and Gazprom. NIS has a single refinery with a capacity of 4.8 millions tons per year in Serbia. The crude oil supply is sufficient to cover the majority of Balkan countries' needs. On January 10, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury placed sanctions against Russia's oil industry and gave Gazprom a 45-day deadline to sell its NIS shares.
Vucic: Serbia will lose access to oil imports when the deadline for sanctions looms.
Serbia may lose access to essential oil imports as of Friday, after discussions to stop the imposition by the United States of sanctions on its sole oil refinery failed. President Aleksandar Vucic stated this in an interview published. The waiver of sanctions expires at midnight. If it is not extended, NIS, which is owned by Russia's Gazprom and Gazprom in majority, may face a reduction in crude oil supply. NIS is the sole oil refinery in Serbia, with a capacity of 4.8 millions tons per year.
Gunvor CEO: Global oil supply is growing faster than demand.
Gunvor's CEO, one of the largest oil traders in the world, stated on Monday that global oil supply is growing faster than demand. Last week, oil prices fell to a three-year-low due to a slowdown in demand growth in China as well as concerns over the global impact of President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policy. "That's the issue." Tornqvist stated that the demand for diesel and gasoline has plateaued in China, which is the second-largest consumer of these fuels.
Gunvor CEO: Global oil supply is growing faster than demand
Gunvor, one of the largest oil traders in the world, said that the global oil supply is growing faster than the demand. Last week, oil prices fell to their lowest level in three years due to a slowdown in demand growth and concern about the global economic impact of President Donald Trump's protectionist policies. Torbjorn Tornqvist, CEO of Gunvor, said that the demand for energy is still growing in the world but not by a large amount.
Palm oil prices rise on short covering
Malaysian palm oils futures rose again on Wednesday, despite the bearish outlook of industry analysts. At closing, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange was up 42 Ringgit (0.92%) or $1,040.89 per metric ton. A Kuala Lumpur trader stated that "since the market remained at 4,550 ringgit and there was no fresh selling, bargain buying occurred". Analysts at a Kuala Lumpur conference…
Palm oil traders are looking for more clues as they try to predict the future of the market.
Malaysian palm futures were trading in a narrow range on Wednesday, as participants awaited further cues from a conference. A weaker ringgit was also a factor in the market's support. By midday, the benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in May on Bursa Derivatives exchange was up 0.24% to 4,576 Ringgit ($1,034.83) per metric ton. The contract was traded at 4,546 to 4,588 ringgit per ton, as opposed to the previous close of only 4,565.
Novak: OPEC+ does not consider a delay in April's oil supply increase
RIA reported that Russian Deputy Premier Alexander Novak stated on Monday that OPEC+ producers do not plan to delay a series monthly increases in oil supplies scheduled to start in April. Bloomberg News reported Monday, citing delegates that OPEC+ (which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia, and other allies) was examining if it should postpone the increase in supply, despite the calls of U.S. president Donald Trump to reduce oil prices.
The IEA reports that Russia's oil exports increased to $15.8 Billion in January.
The International Energy Agency reported on Thursday that Russia's commercial revenue from crude oil and oil product sales in January increased by $900 millions from December, to $15.8 Billion, due to the higher oil prices, and stable export volume, despite sanctions. Early January, the United States announced their most comprehensive sanctions to date against Russian oil companies as well as tankers transporting Russian oil in response to Moscow's conflict with Ukraine.
OPEC and Saudi Arabia spare oil production capacity
A U.S. official stated on Tuesday that U.S. president Donald Trump would restore his "maximum-pressure" campaign against Iran and bring its oil exports down to zero. This would increase oil prices, and force others to pump even more. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, along with other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), hold the majority of the world's spare production capacity.
