Oil Falls Anticipating Fed Hike will Dent Demand
Oil fell on Monday, reversing earlier gains but continuing a recent losing streak, on concerns that an expected increase in interest rates in the U.S., the world's biggest oil user, may limit fuel demand growth.Brent crude LCOc1 futures for September settlement dropped 48 cents, or 0.5%, to $102.72 a barrel at 0205 GMT, down for a fourth day.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures for September delivery fell 65 cents, or 0.7%, to $94.05 a barrel, also down for a…
Oil Falls After Libyan Ports Reopen, Trump Tariff Threat
Global oil benchmark Brent fell more than $2 a barrel on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to levy new tariffs on China and Libya announced the reopening of key oil export terminals.The spectre of tariffs on a further $200 billion of Chinese goods sent commodities lower along with stock markets, as tension between the world's biggest economies intensified.Brent crude fell $2.10, or 2.7 percent, to a low of $76.76 before recovering slightly to $77.20, down $1.66, by 1325 GMT. U.S.
Venezuela's Oil Falls to $42.44
Venezuela's petroleum export basket dropped to $42.44 per barrel this week from $47.05 last week to reach a 5-1/2-year low, the Petroleum Ministry said on Friday. The South American OPEC member's basket, which includes crude oil and refined products, trades at a discount to other benchmarks because of its higher content of heavy oil. Venezuelan oil prices averaged $88.42 last year, down from $98.08 in 2013. The tumble in oil prices is a blow to Venezuela's finances as it struggles to cover arrears with companies, bond payments, arbitration awards, hefty social projects, and spending ahead of this year's parliamentary elections. Global oil markets resumed their slide on Friday, with Brent and U.S.
Oil Falls As Weak U.S. Jobs Data Adds to Demand Worries
Crude oil futures fell on Friday and ended the week more than 2 percent lower as disappointing jobs data from the United States cast doubt about the strength of economic growth in the world's biggest oil-consuming economy. U.S. jobs figures showed nonfarm payrolls increased by just 142,000 in August, well below forecasts of 225,000 and the smallest rise eight months. "U.S. economic growth was supposed to counter the slowing in China and Europe and the payrolls report threw a little cold water on that idea," said Gene McGillian, analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. Brent crude for October delivery fell $1.01 to settle at $100.82 a barrel, having dropped to $100.35 intraday. The last time Brent was priced under $100 was in June 2013. U.S.
Oil Falls Towards $111 on Libya Ports Deal
Oil fell towards $111 a barrel on Wednesday, its lowest in almost three weeks, on a possible substantial recovery in Libyan exports after rebels said they would reopen two oil terminals. Libyan rebels blockading eastern oil ports have agreed to reopen the remaining two terminals at Es Sider and Ras Lanuf. The port seizures have crippled the OPEC producer's oil industry since last summer. If fulfilled, the deal would bring back around 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil export capacity, although production would remain well below the total of around 1.4 million bpd. There have been repeated reports in the past that ports would reopen and production increase, but analysts said the latest developments were likely to have more impact.
Oil falls below $110 as Ukraine worries ease
Putin orders troops in military exercise back to base. U.S., EU warn Russia could face sanctions over Crimea; U.S. crude inventory likely rose 1 mln bbls last week. Oil fell more than $1 on Tuesday to below $110 a barrel after President Vladimir Putin recalled troops to base from military exercises in western Russia near its borders with Ukraine. April Brent crude was down $1.47 at $109.73 a barrel by 0900 GMT. It closed the previous session at its highest since Dec. 27. U.S. crude for April delivery fell as low as $103.60, after reaching a 5-1/2-month high at $105.22 on Monday. The contract was currently down $1.11 at $103.81. Russia invaded Ukraine's autonomous Crimea region at the weekend…
MMS Responds with Royalty Relief Modifications
The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) has updated two Notice to Lessees (NTL) to help the domestic industry adjust to and survive low prices. "Oil prices, adjusted for inflation, are down to levels last seen in the early 1970's," said Carolita Kallaur, associate director, Offshore Minerals Management Program. "While benefitting consumers generally, unanticipated price drops have some adverse consequences for society. When the price of oil falls, it can simply make continued production of a given oil field uneconomic. For the second time in five months, MMS lowered price forecasts used by existing leaseholders that apply for deepwater royalty relief. Fields in water deeper than 656 ft.
