This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Wed 17 Oct 2018, 10:48 GMT

Oil market closed higher following API draw


By A/S Global Risk Management.


Michael Poulson, Senior Oil Risk Manager at Global Risk Management.
Image credit: A/S Global Risk Management
Yesterday's trade closed slightly higher following a draw reported by the API.

The oil market has cooled down from $85 and is now back to the $80 level. Yesterday, the price once again tested the $80 threshold but got rejected back into $80 territory.

No major news occurred yesterday, and the market seems to be assessing whether Saudi Arabia will be able to offset the missing barrels from Iran. Saudi Arabia has been out during this week expressing interest in offsetting the missing Iranian barrels, especially with regards to India.

Disputes between the US and Saudi Arabia are arising as a columnist disappeared from the Saudi embassy in Turkey. Following the incident, the US have threatened Saudi Arabia in case the columnist was killed. Saudi Arabia responded by what the media sees as an implicit threat - using their oil exports as a weapon if the US were to take any actions against the kingdom. If true, this is the first time since the 1970s oil embargo they have used their oil as a geopolitical weapon.

However, what allegedly drove the market to a slightly higher close and an even higher current level was that the API reported a draw on the US crude stocks of 2.1 mbbl. The API also reported a large draw on gasoline of 3.4 mbbl and a small draw of 0.24 mbbl on distillates.

Later today the EIA releases its weekly inventory stats.


Hapag-Lloyd and DSV logo side by side. Hapag-Lloyd and DSV sign 18,000-tonne CO2e reduction agreement for sustainable marine fuels  

Two-year framework allows inclusion of alternative fuels beyond biofuels in shipping decarbonisation partnership.

Bangkok city skyline. Uni-Fuels opens Thailand office as part of Southeast Asia expansion  

Marine fuel supplier establishes Bangkok entity, appoints managing director with 15 years’ industry experience.

Washington State Hybrid-Electric 160-Auto Ferry vessel render. Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for Washington State Ferries hybrid vessels  

ABB selects Corvus for two new 160-vehicle ferries as part of $3.98bn electrification plan.

Vinssen and Mana Engineering sign MoU. Vinssen, Mana Engineering partner on hydrogen fuel cell retrofit for 800-teu feeder vessel  

South Korean and Dutch firms to pursue Lloyd’s Register approval for hybrid retrofit concept.

Hercules Elisabeth vessel. Hercules Tanker Management takes delivery of second Ultra-Spec vessel in China  

Hercules Elisabeth is the second of 10 hybrid-ready tankers designed for alternative fuels.

Wolf 1 vessel. Petrol Ofisi launches fuel supply tanker Wolf 1  

Turkish bunker supplier adds 1,750-dwt vessel with alternative fuel infrastructure to fleet.

BIMCO meeting. BIMCO to convene for adoption of biofuel clause and ETS provisions at February meeting  

Documentary Committee to consider new contractual frameworks for alternative fuels and emission trading scheme compliance.

Sea Change II vessel render. Incat Crowther and Switch Maritime develop 150-passenger hydrogen ferry for New York  

Design work begins on 28-metre vessel with 720 kg hydrogen capacity and 25-knot speed.

Aerial view of a container vessel. HIF Global signs heads of agreement with German eFuel One for 100,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually  

Deal covers supply from HIF’s Uruguay project, with e-methanol meeting EU RED III standards.

Welcoming of Kota Odyssey at Jordan’s Aqaba Container Terminal. PIL’s LNG-powered vessel makes maiden call at Jordan’s Aqaba port  

Kota Odyssey is Pacific International Lines’ first LNG-fuelled ship to call at the Red Sea port.


↑  Back to Top