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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.


A Maersk vessel, pictured from above. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd suspend Strait of Hormuz transits amid Middle East security crisis  

Container carriers reroute services around the Cape of Good Hope as military conflict escalates.

Map of Middle East. Operations continue as normal at most Middle East ports  

Most facilities operating normally, with exceptions in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Photograph of the 93,000-cbm very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) Gaz Ronin. Naftomar takes delivery of 93,000-cbm dual-fuel ammonia carrier  

Gaz Ronin features a MAN dual-fuel engine with high-pressure selective catalytic reduction technology.

Aurora Botnia leaving harbor. AYK Energy completes world’s largest marine battery retrofit on Wasaline ferry  

Aurora Botnia receives 10.4 MWh battery system, bringing total capacity to 12.6 MWh.

Steel cutting ceremony for an LNG dual-fuel 307,000-tonne crude oil tanker with builder's hull no. 113. Dalian Shipbuilding begins construction on LNG dual-fuel crude tanker  

Development is one of a number of milestones reported by parent company over the past few days.

Photograph of Sallaum Lines' Ocean Breeze vessel with 'Introducing The Blue Corridor' overlaid text. Sallaum Lines launches Blue Corridor sustainability initiative for Europe–Africa ro-ro trade  

Company deploys LNG-capable vessels with AI routing and eco-speed protocols on new green shipping corridor.

The platform supply vessel Viking Energy. Eidesvik Offshore signs yard contract for ammonia retrofit of PSV Viking Energy  

Halsnøy Dokk to convert platform supply vessel as part of EU-backed Apollo project.

Vanquish tanker alongside Jette Theresa oil/chemical tanker docked at terminal. North Sea Port completes risk analysis for alternative fuel bunkering operations  

Port authority says LNG, hydrogen, methanol and ammonia can be safely refuelled across its facilities.

Container ship near a port. Ammonia emerges as most feasible alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping in 2050 emissions study  

Research combining expert survey and technical analysis ranks ammonia ahead of hydrogen and methanol.

Cargo vessel at sea. EMSA study examines biodiesel blend spill response as shipping adopts alternative fuels  

Research addresses knowledge gaps on biodiesel-conventional fuel blends as marine pollutants and response measures.


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