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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.


Petrobras and Transpetro signing ceremony. Petrobras and Transpetro order 41 vessels worth $470m for fleet renewal  

Brazilian state oil companies contract gas carriers, barges and pushboats from domestic shipyards.

European Commission headquarters. EU proposes phase-out of high-risk biofuels from renewable energy targets by 2030  

Draft regulation sets linear reduction trajectory starting in 2024, with contribution reaching zero by end of decade.

Vessel with H2SITE ammonia cracking system. H2SITE launches Norwegian subsidiary to advance ammonia-to-power technology for maritime sector  

Spanish technology firm establishes Bergen hub to accelerate deployment of ammonia cracking systems for shipping.

CMA CGM Monte Cristo vessel. CMA CGM names 400th owned vessel as methanol-fuelled containership  

French shipping line reaches fleet ownership milestone with 15,000-teu dual-fuel methanol vessel.

Methanol bunkering operation at Yantian Port. Wah Kwong adds China’s first dual-fuel methanol bunkering vessel to managed fleet  

Da Qing 268 completed maiden operation at Shenzhen’s Yantian Port on 21 January.

Tomas Harju-Jeanty and Kalle Härkki. Sumitomo SHI FW licenses VTT syngas technology for sustainable fuels plants  

Agreement enables production of green methanol and SAF from biowaste for global gasification projects.

Hydromover 1.0 vessel. Yinson GreenTech launches upgraded electric cargo vessel in Singapore, expands to UAE  

Hydromover 2.0 offers increased energy storage capacity and can be fully recharged in under two hours, says designer.

Nildeep Dholakia, Island Oil. Island Oil appoints Nildeep Dholakia as senior trader in Dubai  

Marine fuel supplier expands Dubai team as part of regional growth strategy.

Wind-assisted LNG carrier AIP certification ceremony. Dalian Shipbuilding's wind-assisted LNG carrier design receives Bureau Veritas approval  

Design combines dual-fuel propulsion with foldable wing sails to cut emissions by 2,900 tonnes annually.

Dual naming ceremony of the GH Angelou and GH Christie vessels. Anglo-Eastern adds two methanol-ready Suezmax tankers to managed fleet  

GH Angelou and GH Christie were christened at HD Hyundai Samho Shipyard on 5 January.


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