Thu 29 Nov 2018, 09:16 GMT

Central bank speeches, inventory build and G20 summit


By A/S Global Risk Management.


Michael Poulson, Senior Oil Risk Manager at Global Risk Management.
Image credit: A/S Global Risk Management
Yesterday, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its weekly oil inventory report, showing a build in crude oil stocks for the 10th week in a row - likely due to higher oil output and refinery turnarounds. U.S. crude inventories are now around a 1-year high. The data sent crude oil prices lower. U.S. oil production is currently at 11.7m bpd and it does not look like it's going to slow down. Meanwhile, the demand numbers do not look supportive due to the ongoing trade tensions which could possibly worsen and overall global economic uncertainty.

Investors anticipate the G20 meeting on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 - a meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 nations, the world's biggest economies. It is safe to say that the trade war between Washington and Beijing is top of the agenda. The outcome of the meeting is likely to have a very large effect on future expectations of global demand. In recent weeks, both OPEC and the International Energy Agency cut their demand forecasts due to overall declines in developing economies. In order to boost the global economy and thereby the overall demand for oil, a trade deal between the U.S. and China is needed.

Fed's Chair spoke last night ahead of today's FOMC meeting, and markets interpreted comments as dovish regarding the row of interest rate hikes next year, which put the U.S. dollar under pressure. A weaker dollar tends to support oil prices.

Today also sees ECB's Draghi speech as well as U.S. housing data, which could give additional volatility in the financial markets and spill over to the oil market.

BP  

Seaspan Lions (STS) LNG bunkering operation. Low-GHG methane could keep LNG-capable fleet compliant as regulations tighten, DNV paper argues  

Biomethane and e-methane offer a compliance pathway for LNG-capable ships, says DNV.

HaiSea Kermode and Valencia Knutsen vessel at sea. HaiSea's fleet of electric and dual-fuel tugboats completes 100th LNG carrier escort into Kitimat  

The Haisla Nation and Seaspan joint venture marks one year of LNG carrier escort operations in British Columbia.

Mount Vision naming ceremony. Naming ceremony held for LNG dual-fuel VLCC Mount Vision  

Crude oil tanker named in ceremony held in China.

Green Pearl and Cielo Ace ship-to-ship (STS) bio-LNG bunkering operation. MOL signs bio-LNG supply deals for car carriers across Northern Europe and Mediterranean  

Japanese shipping group expands bio-LNG bunkering to Spanish ports as part of its net-zero strategy.

Dan-Bunkering logo. Dan-Bunkering launches two-year trainee programme for aspiring marine fuel traders  

Bunker firm is recruiting trainees for an August 2026 start across its European offices.

Tower Bridge, London. Chevron hiring London-based marine fuels marketer with renewable fuels remit  

Applications open until 30 June for role involving the marketing of physical bunker fuels with a focus on Europe.

Burando Energies logo. Burando Energies seeks operator to support Rotterdam bunkering activities  

New hire will be responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring operational activities across the firm's bunkering business.

Tommy Slette, Bart Vos and Koen Boerdijk. Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for two new Scylla Shipping river cruise vessels  

Norwegian battery supplier extends its partnership with Swiss river cruise operator Scylla Shipping.

Lucent Pathfinder vessel. NYK signs time-charter deal for two dual-fuel LPG-powered VLGCs  

Singapore subsidiary will provide gas carriers to carry Louisiana-produced ammonia to Japan.

Panos Mitrou and Yoshikazu Kondo. MOL wins LR technology award for wind-assisted propulsion on LNG carriers  

Lloyd’s Register honours Mitsui O.S.K. Lines for its Wind Challenger decarbonisation work.