Oil Soars to $90 as Supply Cuts Extend to Year End

by Bloomberg | Alex Longley, Grant Smith and Julia Fanzeres
click here to read this article at Rigzone.com
*this article was not written by Roseland Oil & Gas

Brent oil rose above $90 a barrel for the first time since November as the largest OPEC+ producers extended their supply cuts to year-end. 

In a move that risks a fresh inflationary impetus for the global economy, Saudi Arabia will continue its unilateral production cutback of 1 million barrels a day until December, according to a statement on the state-run press agency. The move will hold output at about 9 million barrels a day — the lowest level in several years — for six months in total. 

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced in a separate statement that his country’s export reduction of 300,000 barrels a day will be extended for the same duration  — the latest sign that Riyadh and Moscow are in lockstep on oil policy.

Brent crude settled in overbought territory on its relative strength index after rallying in the past week, leaving traders braced for a technical correction. Still, oil markets have been tightening as demand climbs to record levels and inventories tumble. Even mounting concerns about Chinese economic growth have been unable to prevent a summer rally.

The price increase will likely spur displeasure in the US, where the Biden administration seeks to stave off the threat of $4-a-gallon gasoline. Prices are currently the highest seasonal level in more than a decade even as the Labor Day holiday marked the end of the US summer driving season. A renewed inflationary spike would squeeze consumers and risks derailing efforts by central bankers across the globe to quell inflation.

The United States has “regular engagement with the Saudis at multiple levels — with their energy minister, with their leadership,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at a briefing Tuesday, after the OPEC+ decision. “And that will continue and we will make sure that they understand where we stand, and we will come to understand where they stand as well.”

The decision comes after markets have seen Iranian crude exports surge in August as back-door diplomatic efforts with the US appear to be easing pressure on the Middle Eastern nation. Yet the exports that have slackened global markets are likely to have already peaked for the year, as demand in Asia wanes with the end of summer. 

The Saudis’ move exceeded market expectations. Twenty of 25 traders and analysts surveyed by Bloomberg last week had predicted the additional cutback would be extended for one additional month.

“Today’s development is a stark reminder to short sellers to not position against the Central Bank of oil,” said Michael Tran, managing director at RBC Capital Markets LLC. “The Saudis would rather overtighten rather than course correct later given the global seasonal peak in demand is in the rearview, particularly given the soft macro framework in China.”

The kingdom first introduced its additional supply cut in July, deepening reductions already made with partners in the OPEC+ alliance. With most members of the coalition already suffering output losses due to underinvestment and operational disruptions, Riyadh opted to make a largely solo initiative to support prices. 

Prices:

• Brent for November settlement rose $1.04 to settle at $90.04 a barrel in New York.
• WTI for October delivery rose $1.14 to settle at $86.69 a barrel from Friday’s close.
  • Due to a US holiday on Monday, trades from that day will be booked on Tuesday.

Defending the market has come at a cost for the Saudis. The kingdom suffered the sharpest downgrade to economic growth projections by the International Monetary Fund because of the sales volumes it is losing. Yet this appears to be an acceptable price for the kingdom, which may need oil at almost $100 a barrel to cover the ambitious spending projects of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Bloomberg Economics. 

“This voluntary cut decision will be reviewed monthly to consider deepening the cut or increasing production,” according to the statement published by SPA. Saudi Arabia is aiming to support “the stability and balance of oil markets.”

by Bloomberg | Alex Longley, Grant Smith and Julia Fanzeres
click here to read this article at Rigzone.com
*this article was not written by Roseland Oil & Gas