popular articles

Oil: Prices continue to rise

Oil prices rose Wednesday for the third day in a row as analysts forecast higher Chinese demand amid volatility in the global market. Expected U.S. inventories should also influence the market.

Please share:

Oil prices continued to rise on Wednesday for the third day in a row, thanks to growing hopes of a recovery in Chinese demand. A barrel of North Sea Brent cr ude for April delivery rose 1.03% to $84.55 and a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March delivery gained 1.30% to $78.14.

 

The global economy is recovering and demand in China is rising

Analysts point to “volatility” in oil prices centered on the global economy, where fears of recession are currently being overshadowed by hopes of improving demand in China. Although Chinese consumption of black gold in January remained “relatively static”, expectations of a rebound in Chinese demand continue to drive the market.

Saudi Arabia has been optimistic about demand in recent days and raised the official selling price of its crude to Asia in March. This increase in its largest market probably reflects Saudi expectations of increased demand in Asia from the second quarter onwards, particularly from China.

Analysts expect China’s oil consumption to increase by up to one million barrels per day in the last quarter of 2023, and more black gold purchases outside China due to international travel. On the supply side, the Ceyhan oil terminal is still disrupted after the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.

The market is also awaiting the release of the U.S. inventory report by the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA). Analysts expect commercial crude reserves to rise by 2 million barrels and gasoline reserves by 1.6 million barrels, according to the median of a consensus compiled by Bloomberg.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

California approved only three new drilling permits in Q1 2025, but Kern County and two CO₂ pipeline bills may reverse that trend.
US oil operators will face moderate drilling cost increases in 2025, driven by tariffs, despite price drops in several key service segments.
US oil operators will face moderate drilling cost increases in 2025, driven by tariffs, despite price drops in several key service segments.
BluEnergies Ltd. has announced the immediate appointment of Craig Steinke as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding James Deckelman, who is stepping down for personal reasons.
BluEnergies Ltd. has announced the immediate appointment of Craig Steinke as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding James Deckelman, who is stepping down for personal reasons.
The increase in tariffs between the United States and China is radically reshaping China's petrochemical supply flows, threatening to raise costs and intensify supply challenges in an already strained strategic sector.
The increase in tariffs between the United States and China is radically reshaping China's petrochemical supply flows, threatening to raise costs and intensify supply challenges in an already strained strategic sector.
The United States imposes sanctions on several Chinese entities involved in purchasing and transporting Iranian oil, disrupting a petroleum supply chain worth several hundred million dollars.
Brent and WTI prices surged after the announcement of a trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom, raising expectations of a rebound in global crude demand.
Brent and WTI prices surged after the announcement of a trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom, raising expectations of a rebound in global crude demand.
US commercial crude oil reserves dropped more than expected in early May, supported by increased refinery activity, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration.
US commercial crude oil reserves dropped more than expected in early May, supported by increased refinery activity, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration.
Oil prices are trending downward under the combined pressure of increased output from Opec+ members and the potential for a nuclear deal between Iran and the United States.
Oil prices are trending downward under the combined pressure of increased output from Opec+ members and the potential for a nuclear deal between Iran and the United States.
The Venezuelan government confirmed it will continue operating Chevron’s oil fields after the US-imposed withdrawal of the American company.
BP rises on the London Stock Exchange amid acquisition rumours by Shell, which may wait for a further drop in oil prices before taking action.
BP rises on the London Stock Exchange amid acquisition rumours by Shell, which may wait for a further drop in oil prices before taking action.
Petroecuador signed an agreement with Sinopec to drill new wells in the northeastern Amazon, aiming to increase output by 12,000 barrels per day.
Petroecuador signed an agreement with Sinopec to drill new wells in the northeastern Amazon, aiming to increase output by 12,000 barrels per day.
Crude prices gained momentum after a drop triggered by OPEC+, supported by strong gasoline demand in the United States ahead of the summer season.
Crude prices gained momentum after a drop triggered by OPEC+, supported by strong gasoline demand in the United States ahead of the summer season.
Petrobras has awarded Subsea7 a large-scale contract for the development of the Búzios 11 field, located in the pre-salt Santos basin offshore Brazil.
Norway’s Equinor sells its majority stake in Brazil’s offshore Peregrino field to PRIO for $3.5 billion, shifting focus to Bacalhau and the Raia gas project.
Norway’s Equinor sells its majority stake in Brazil’s offshore Peregrino field to PRIO for $3.5 billion, shifting focus to Bacalhau and the Raia gas project.
Shell has completed the acquisition of additional shares in the Ursa oil platform and its associated pipeline, raising its stake to over 61% in both assets.
Shell has completed the acquisition of additional shares in the Ursa oil platform and its associated pipeline, raising its stake to over 61% in both assets.
Eight Opec+ members will raise output by 411,000 barrels per day in June, boosting global supply amid falling prices and ongoing trade tensions.
Eight Opec+ members will raise output by 411,000 barrels per day in June, boosting global supply amid falling prices and ongoing trade tensions.
Commercial crude inventories in the United States saw an unexpected drop, significantly exceeding analysts' forecasts, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.
TotalEnergies saw its net profit fall to $3.9bn in the first quarter, impacted by lower oil prices, despite an increase in its hydrocarbon and electricity production.
TotalEnergies saw its net profit fall to $3.9bn in the first quarter, impacted by lower oil prices, despite an increase in its hydrocarbon and electricity production.
Repsol’s quarterly performance plunged due to the combined impact of falling crude prices, shrinking refining margins and trade tensions between the United States and its partners.
Repsol’s quarterly performance plunged due to the combined impact of falling crude prices, shrinking refining margins and trade tensions between the United States and its partners.
Austrian group OMV sees profits collapse amid halted Russian gas flows, strategic repositioning in chemicals and shift toward new industrial partnerships.
Austrian group OMV sees profits collapse amid halted Russian gas flows, strategic repositioning in chemicals and shift toward new industrial partnerships.
BP announced strategic progress on its oil projects in Iraq and Angola, marking a key step in its upstream development, according to an internal communication published on April 26.
PetroChina announced stable growth in operational results for the first quarter of 2025, supported by an increase in oil and gas production and accelerated development in renewable energies.
PetroChina announced stable growth in operational results for the first quarter of 2025, supported by an increase in oil and gas production and accelerated development in renewable energies.
CNOOC Limited announced an increase in production and maintained profitability in the first quarter of 2025, despite an 8.3% drop in Brent crude oil prices compared to last year.
CNOOC Limited announced an increase in production and maintained profitability in the first quarter of 2025, despite an 8.3% drop in Brent crude oil prices compared to last year.
Eni announced the successful drilling of the Capricornus 1-X well in Namibia's Orange Basin, revealing a significant light oil reservoir after positive production tests.
Eni announced the successful drilling of the Capricornus 1-X well in Namibia's Orange Basin, revealing a significant light oil reservoir after positive production tests.

Advertising