This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Wed 20 Dec 2017, 09:31 GMT

Oil prices inch upwards ahead of inventory data


By A/S Global Risk Management.



The weekly oil stocks data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), published last night, showed a drop in U.S. crude oil stocks of more than 5 mio. barrels last week, a drop in distillates stocks of almost 3 mio. barrels, while gasoline stocks increased by 2 mio. barrels. Consensus of the official oil inventory report, published by the International Energy Administration (IEA) this afternoon, is a draw of 3.7 mio. barrels in crude, a small draw in distillates and a build in gasoline inventories. The last four weeks have shown draws in crude oil stocks. Expect some volatility ahead of the publishing.

The new oil minister of OPEC's fifth largest oil producer, Kuwait, sees global crude demand increase by 1.5 mio. barrels per day next year. The growth rate complies with OPEC's forecast. The oil minister, Al-Rashidi, also said "that will support oil prices and support refining margins". Kuwait currently producers around 2.7 mio. barrels per day, but is planning to increase production to four mio. barrels per day in 2020. The country is part of the current production cut agreement entered by both OPEC and non-OPEC countries. OPEC's largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia, likely also sees increasing prices next year as the country stated that it expects oil revenue to increase by 12% in 2018.

Turning to economic data, today sees U.S. housing data and a tax reform vote. Also, Bank of England's Carney will speak this afternoon.


AuctionConnect and Asyad Shipping logos. Asyad Shipping adopts AuctionConnect digital bunker platform under three-year deal  

Middle East shipping company to implement auction-based procurement system across fleet operations.

Fuel for thought: LNG for Cruise report cover. LNG remains the most deployable decarbonisation option for cruise shipping, Lloyd’s Register report finds  

Classification society’s latest research examines the fuel’s role in the sector’s energy transition and pathway to net zero.

Dr. Ibrahim Muritala, ABS. ABS engineer to discuss performance-based hydrogen framework at SPE symposium  

Dr Ibrahim Muritala to join panel examining shift from colour-based hydrogen labelling to carbon intensity metrics.

Cosco Shipping Peony vessel. Cosco Shipping completes methanol dual-fuel retrofits on four ultra-large container vessels  

Chinese shipping line retrofits 20,000-teu and 13,800-teu vessels with methanol propulsion systems.

Launching ceremony of Maran Myrto vessel. Chinese yard launches LNG dual-fuel Suezmax  

Crude carrier with LNG propulsion launched in Jiangsu province.

Keel-laying ceremony of a vessel with builder's hull no. 0315846. Keel laid for LNG dual-fuel crude oil tanker  

Chinese yard begins construction on 155,500-dwt vessel with Lloyd’s Register classification.

BW Lesmes alongside Levante LNG vessel. BW LNG vessel completes first gassing-up operation with bunker barge  

BW Lesmes transitions from drydock to cargo readiness using an LNG bunker barge.

Mark Bell, SGMF. LNG marine fuel shows up to 29% emissions reduction in new SGMF study  

Latest life cycle assessment shows improved methane slip control, with well-to-wake reductions of up to 25%.

Michelle McDade, Global Fuel Supply. Blue Energy Partners appoints Michelle McDade as head of operations  

McDade brings more than eight years of bunkering experience to the Oslo-based role.

Person signing a document. Venture Energy signs green methanol supply deal with Shenji Energy  

Hong Kong-based firm to purchase ISCC EU-certified biomass-derived methanol for shipping clients.


↑  Back to Top


 Recommended