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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.


Graphic promoting Singapore Shipping Association marine green fuels training course. Singapore Shipping Association launches marine green fuels training course  

One-day programme covers supply chains, emissions accounting and infrastructure for biofuels, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.

The Hua Hong 68 at the terminal of Sinochem Xingzhong Oil Staging, Zhoushan. China launches first domestic biofuel blending pilot at Zhoushan port  

Sinochem Xingzhong begins processing 2,000 tonnes of biodiesel with high-sulphur fuel oil.

'AeroLNG' ship with WindWings installation. Bureau Veritas approves BAR Technologies’ WindWings power calculation method for tanker installations  

Classification society validates computational approach for quantifying wind-assisted propulsion under IMO frameworks.

The bunkering tanker Avenir Accolade. Stolt-Nielsen sells 50% stake in Avenir LNG to NYK Line  

The two shipping groups will jointly own the LNG bunkering business.

David Ortiz, trading manager at Sonan Energy Panama. Sonan Energy Panama appoints David Ortiz as trading manager  

Former US Marine brings nearly a decade of bunker trading experience to Panama role.

The M/T Jutlandia Swan, operated by Uni-Tankers. Project CLEANSHIP begins collecting operational data from wingsail-equipped tanker  

M/T Jutlandia Swan serves as floating laboratory to measure wind-assisted propulsion performance.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement's (BSM) second methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier. BSM adds second methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier to managed fleet  

Ship manager now operates two methanol-capable vessels as alternative fuel adoption continues in the bulk sector.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras suspends MGO export sales following Brazilian government’s 50% export tax  

State oil company halts distillate fuel exports while assessing impact of new levy.

The LNG bunkering vessel Alisios LNG. Scale Green Energy launches 12,500-cbm LNG bunkering vessel in Spain  

Alisios LNG will supply marine fuel from the Huelva plant, chartered by Axpo Iberia.

The pure car and truck carrier Tourmaline Ace. Piraeus port signs LNG-fuelled car carrier deal with MOL  

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' LNG-powered vessel made inaugural call at Greek port on 10 March.


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