Oil prices rise following Fed decision

Oil prices rose after the US Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged, which could boost demand for oil in the US.

Share:

Exploitation pétrole

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Oil prices rose significantly following the Fed’s decision not to raise interest rates. Brent North Sea crude for January delivery rose 1.39% to $85.81 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for December delivery gained 1.49% to $81.64 a barrel.

Outlook for U.S. oil demand

Analysts at Energi Danmark explained that this increase was due to the Fed’s decision not to raise interest rates, which reassured the markets. The Fed’s decision to maintain the status quo for the second time in a row is designed to support economic activity and avoid a recession.

This news could have a positive impact on oil demand in the United States, the world’s largest oil consumer. Indeed, interest rate hikes to combat inflation tend to slow the economy, which can reduce demand for oil.
DNB analysts noted that “the Fed has hinted that it may be finished raising interest rates”, which could be beneficial for oil demand.

Tensions in the Middle East and their potential impact

However, it should be noted that the previous day, the price of WTI had reached its lowest level in over two months at $80.30 a barrel. Some experts believe that the US economy remains solid, which could lead to further interest rate hikes.
PVM’s Tamas Varga stated that “the conviction that a further rate hike remains plausible has strengthened”, but he also stressed that monetary tightening could have negative consequences.

Meanwhile, Mirabaud analyst John Plassard noted that investors are keeping a close eye on the situation in the Middle East, particularly the tensions between Israel and Hamas. Although worries about crude oil supply have diminished, they are still present.

In short, the Fed’s decision to maintain interest rates has led to a rise in oil prices. However, the future remains uncertain, with differing opinions as to the long-term impact on the economy and demand for oil.

U.S. sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil trigger a rebound in oil, while the European Union prepares a clampdown on liquefied natural gas and maritime logistics, with immediate repercussions for markets and Russia’s export chain.
Ten days before COP30, Brazil awarded five offshore oil blocks for over $19mn, confirming its deepwater development strategy despite environmental criticism.
Tripoli mise sur des partenariats avec des majors et jusqu’à 4 milliards $ d’investissements pour relancer sa production pétrolière, malgré un climat politique divisé.
Niger hardens its stance on energy sovereignty but avoids breaking with China National Petroleum Corporation, its main oil industry partner, in order to safeguard export revenues.
As Brent hovers near $60, growing opacity around OPEC’s output restrains a steeper decline in crude prices amid surplus warnings by the International Energy Agency.
Portuguese energy group Galp plans to finalise a strategic partnership for its offshore oil project Mopane in Namibia before the end of the year.
A traditional leader from the Niger Delta is seeking compensation before Shell’s onshore asset sale, citing decades of unaddressed pollution in his kingdom.
The Oxford Energy Institute study shows that signals from weekly positions and the Brent/WTI curve now favor contrarian strategies, in a market constrained by regulation and logistics affected by international sanctions. —
Russian company Russneft has shipped its first oil cargo to Georgia’s newly launched Kulevi refinery, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Moscow and Tbilisi.
New Stratus Energy has signed a definitive agreement with Vultur Oil to acquire up to 32.5% interest in two onshore oil blocks located in the State of Bahia, Brazil, with an initial investment of $10mn.
Clearview Resources has completed the sale of all its shares to a listed oil company, exiting Canadian financial markets following shareholder and court approval.
The Brazilian government has approved an offshore drilling project led by Petrobras in the Equatorial Margin region, weeks before COP30 in Belém.
In Taft, a historic stronghold of black gold, Donald Trump's return to the presidency reopens the issue of California's restrictions on oil production and fuels renewed optimism among industry stakeholders.
Vantage Drilling halted a 260-day drilling contract for the vessel Platinum Explorer following a rapid evolution of international sanctions regimes that made the campaign non-compliant with the applicable legal framework shortly after it was signed.
Paratus Energy Services received $58mn through its subsidiary Fontis Energy in Mexico, initiating the repayment of arrears via a government-backed fund established to support investment projects and ensure supplier payments.
Washington ties the removal of additional duties to a verifiable decline in India’s imports of Russian crude, while New Delhi cites already-committed orders and supply stability for the domestic market.
The decline in imports and the rise in refining in September reduced China’s crude surplus to its lowest in eight months, opening the way for tactical buying as Brent slips below 61 dollars.
Chinese executive Zhou Xinhuai, 54, resigned from his post as chief executive of CNOOC Limited after holding the role since April 2022. A strategic reorganization is underway.
Texas-based SM Energy gains full support from its banking syndicate, maintaining a $3bn borrowing base and easing short-term debt maturity terms.
Halliburton and Aker BP have completed the first umbilical-less tubing hanger installation on the Norwegian continental shelf, paving the way for digitised offshore operations with reduced infrastructure.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.