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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.


Type Approval from RINA for Methanol Superstorage. SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage has received RINA Type Approval  

Space-efficient fuel tank system has gained formal certification, enabling methanol adoption without sacrificing storage capacity.

AiP handover ceremony for methane oxidation catalyst system. MHI Marine Machinery and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding receive AiP for methane oxidation catalyst system  

ClassNK approves basic design of LNG engine exhaust treatment system achieving over 90% methane oxidation.

CMA CGM Esmeralda naming ceremony. CMA CGM names 15,000-teu methanol-powered container ship in Shanghai  

The CMA CGM Esmeralda has been deployed on the REX2 service.

DNV and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) signing. DNV and Singapore Institute of Technology partner on remote vessel operations research  

Agreement focuses on shore-based control centres for bunker vessels and autonomous maritime capabilities.

Grande Inghilterra naming ceremony. Grimaldi takes delivery of eleventh ammonia-ready car carrier  

Grande Inghilterra features solar panels, lithium batteries and cold ironing capability.

Launching ceremony of Bisan Maru vessel. Japanese tugboat to feature biofuel blender and ultrasonic anti-fouling system  

Seagate Corporation’s Bisan Maru is the first Japanese tugboat to feature both environmental technologies.

Hercules Elisabeth vessel. Hercules Tanker Management deploys second Ultra-Spec vessel to the Mediterranean  

HTM Elisabeth arrived in Gibraltar carrying biofuel cargo from Thailand bound for Barcelona operations.

Carrier deck view. Wärtsilä to supply ammonia fuel systems for Navigator Gas and Amon Maritime carriers  

Finnish technology group wins contract for cargo handling systems on two dual-fuel ammonia vessels.

Svitzer Balder vessel. Battery-methanol harbour tug completes sea trials ahead of Gothenburg deployment  

Svitzer Balder is claimed to be the most powerful electric escort tug in the world.

Launching ceremony of Nave Orbit vessel. Changhong International launches fourth LR2 tanker for Navios  

Chinese shipbuilder floats 115,000-tonne LR2/Aframax product tanker with methanol and LNG conversion capability.


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