Industry Oil Stocks News

The IEA in their Oil Market Report for December 2001 did not alter their previous estimate of only a marginal increase in oil demand in 2001 over 2000, a 0.14 mbd increase only. During November 2001 world oil production increased by 0.29 mbd compared to the previous month. OPEC oil production decreased whereas non-OPEC oil production increased by a total of 0.63 mbd. Total industry oil stocks in the OECD area grew by 0.22 mbd in October 2001. According to the IEA, winter fuels in primary storage continue to remain at comfortable levels. Source: INTERTANKO

At a scheduled meeting today, the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency discussed the current restraints on world oil supply, the significant decline in oil stocks worldwide and the sharp rise in oil prices. They expressed concern that the tightening supply situation could feed inflation and slow economic growth, thereby giving rise to problems particularly for developing countries. “Such instability would be in no one’s interest,” said Robert Priddle, Executive Director of the Agency. The Board noted that industry oil stocks worldwide were lower at the end of last year than at any time in the past decade. Yet demand is constantly growing.

The Governing Board of the International Energy Agency last week discussed the current restraints on world oil supply, the significant decline in oil stocks worldwide and the sharp rise in oil prices. They expressed concern that the tightening supply situation could feed inflation and slow economic growth, thereby giving rise to problems particularly for developing countries. The Board noted that industry oil stocks worldwide were lower at the end of last year than at any time in the past decade. Yet demand is constantly growing. The present gap between demand and supply means that no surplus oil is available to build stocks and that they continue to be drawn down to meet current requirements.