Brent Oil Slides Despite OPEC+ CutsOPEC and allies including Russia, have been implementing a series of supply reductions since late-2022, which have helped support oil prices and on Sunday they agreed to prolong those curbs . Around 3.66 million barrels (mbpd) of cuts that were due to expire at the end of the year were rolled over into 2025. The most recent tranche of 2.2 mbpd that would expire at the end of the month was extended into Q3 and will be phased of gradually after that. The decision keeps current total reduction cuts at nearly 5.9 mbpd and almost 6% of global output.
On the other hand, members will start tapering some of those curbs over a 12-month period starting in the fourth quarter and the detailed plan could hinder their ability to keep output lower, if such need arises. Furthermore, the group sidestepped the contentious issue of capacity, while compliance has generally been loose in the past.
Brent oil slumps following the decision, as output will start to go up from October, just as non-OPEC countries like the US keep pumping oil. At the same time, demand growth is expected to decelerate sharply this year. Optimism for Middle East ceasefire, along with poor China PMIs, also contributed. UKOil is now exposed to this year’s lows (74.76), although breaching those of 2023 (70.09) is a much harder task.
However, the deep output cuts by OPEC+ will lead to tighter market at least in the near term and this can continue to support oil prices. Furthermore, central banks are moving towards less restrictive monetary policies, which can also help. On the technical side, the RSI points to extremely oversold conditions that can contain the fall and give UKOil the opportunity to rebound. A return above the EMA200 (blackline) that would pause the bearish bias would need strong catalyst though and the upside is unfriendly.
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Opecplus
Can Oil soar on June 2 OPEC+ cut hopes? Can Oil soar on June 2 OPEC+ cut hopes?
WTI crude futures and Brent continue to recover from three-month lows. The rebound is potentially driven by expectations that OPEC+ will extend its output cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day into the second half of the year during its June 2 meeting.
Additional support for crude prices came from the start of the U.S. summer driving season and a weaker dollar.
Further data on the demand side will come from upcoming U.S. PCE to gauge the Federal Reserve's future monetary policy. A softer-than-expected reading on the PCE could increase the possibility of interest rate cuts, and potentially enhance the demand for energy.
Deutsche Bank has maintained its Brent forecast at $83 per barrel for the second quarter and $88 for the second half of the year, assuming OPEC+ will sustain its current production policy on Sunday.
Should prices move above the $80 level, WTI could test the 50-day moving average just above $81.1. The RSI suggests there is still room for prices to rise before reaching the overbought zone. Conversely, if prices fall below the $78 range, they might stabilize around the $76 mark.
Evaluating OPEC+ Compliance Levels for Cautious Oil TradingAs you are aware, the upcoming OPEC+ member countries to implement potential oil-supply cuts has sparked considerable interest and speculation within the trading community. Today, I would like to draw your attention to the importance of evaluating the compliance levels of these member countries and how it presents a potential opportunity for cautious oil trading.
The proposed oil-supply cuts have been designed to stabilize oil prices amidst the ongoing global economic uncertainties. However, it is crucial to assess the actual compliance of OPEC+ member countries with these agreed-upon cuts. By doing so, we can gain valuable insights into the potential impact on global oil supply and demand dynamics.
To effectively evaluate compliance levels, it is recommended to closely monitor official statements, production data, and any relevant news updates from OPEC and non-OPEC countries. Analyzing these factors will provide a clearer understanding of how closely member countries are adhering to their commitments.
While evaluating compliance levels, it is important to maintain a cautious approach towards trading oil. The current market conditions are highly volatile and unpredictable, influenced by various geopolitical and economic factors. It is advisable to exercise prudence and carefully assess the potential risks associated with any trading decisions.
In light of the potential opportunities arising from the evaluation of compliance levels, I encourage you to consider engaging in oil trading. However, it is crucial to approach this market with a cautious mindset, ensuring that you have a well-thought-out trading strategy in place. Diversification and risk management should be at the forefront of your decision-making process.
As always, it is essential to stay informed and updated on the latest developments in the oil market. By leveraging reliable sources of information, you can make informed trading decisions and navigate the market with greater confidence.
In conclusion, evaluating the compliance levels of OPEC+ member countries with the proposed oil-supply cuts presents an opportunity for cautious oil trading. However, it is imperative to remain vigilant, assess the risks involved, and develop a sound trading strategy that aligns with your risk appetite.
Should you require any further information or assistance in evaluating compliance levels or refining your trading strategy, please do not hesitate to comment below.
Thank you for your attention, and I wish you successful and prudent trading in these challenging times.
Oil Gap - A Game Changer for its PricesGap means a runaway in prices or a confirmation of a clean break away from its downtrend line. (Technical)
OPEC-Plus made a surprise announcement to reduce oil production starting May. Unlike OPEC, OPEC-Plus involve many more countries. This signals a synchronise effort to boost crude oil prices. Expect a much higher oil prices to come. (Fundamental)
My recent crude oil videos:
• Crude Oil Outlook - USD106 as major resistance
• Why Crude Oil is Trending Higher Again, Breaking Above US$100
• Correlation - Crude Oil & CPI
• Crude oil a leading inflation indicator
See its link below.
3 types of crude oil for trading:
• Crude Oil Futures
0.01 per barrel = $10.00
Code: CL
• E-mini Crude Oil Futures
0.025 per barrel = $12.50
Code QM
• Micro WTI Crude Oil
0.01 per barrel = $1.00
Code MCL
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OPEC+ providing Fuel for Short SqueezesEU is in Turmoil.
British are rolling over.
China just shrugging it out.
Elon caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
CPI next week.
Election Next Month
But it's all about the Oil.
Expect positive correlation to last about as long as the next CPI print.
Oil blasts higher -> CPI prints higher -> Indexes enter Second Leg Down.
What will it take for OPEC+ to increase its oil output?The worsening oil supply shortage in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has sent pump prices to record highs in recent weeks, sparking fears of a catastrophic global oil crisis and soaring inflation.
Despite these concerns, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other non-OPEC oil-exporting nations, a global oil cartel known as OPEC+, are still holding back on boosting production, downplaying the impact of the conflict on global oil supply and demand and stressing that the current market volatility is triggered only by geopolitical developments.
Why are oil prices high?
Economic sanctions imposed against Russia have caused oil importers overseas to turn down Russian oil as "no one wants to be seen buying Russian products and funding a war against the Ukrainian people,” a New York Harbor trader was quoted by Reuters as saying earlier this month.
Even when not many countries use Russian oil, pump prices have surged in recent weeks as the absence of millions of barrels of Russian oil from the global supply chain prompted importers of Russian crude like Europe to seek the commodity elsewhere such as from OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia. These leaves other traders scrambling to secure supply.
How OPEC plays into the issue
OPEC members — including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela — account for about 40% of the world’s crude oil production and 60% of petroleum traded globally, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
In 2020, as demand for oil plummeted when most countries were under lockdown, OPEC+ agreed to a deal with former US President Donald Trump to slash nearly 10 million barrels of oil per day, or close to 10% of the global oil output. The world’s top exporters eventually started beefing up production by 400,000 barrels a day since August 2021 as economies reopened.
Most recently, with the Russia-Ukraine war threatening a global oil supply crunch, the focus has again turned to OPEC+ to ramp up output. However, the group in its recent meeting on March 2 — about a week since Russia started invading Ukraine — reaffirmed its commitment to only increase its crude oil output by 400,000 bpd.
“It was noted that current oil market fundamentals and the consensus on its outlook pointed to a well-balanced market, and that current volatility is not caused by changes in market fundamentals but by current geopolitical developments,” OPEC+ said in a statement.
UAE pushes for increased output
Yousuf Al Otaiba, the UAE's ambassador to Washington, last week said the country “favor production increases and will be encouraging OPEC to consider higher production levels.” The statement caused oil prices to fall at most in two years on Thursday, with Brent crude futures falling 13.2% at $111.14 a barrel, the biggest one-day drop since April 21, 2020.
Prices have continued to fall on Monday, with Brent prices falling to $107.59 a barrel for May contracts and WTI crude slipping to $103.42 for April contracts.
Oil prices have also retreated on expectations that some producers may accelerate production.
Will OPEC+ boost output?
In late January, prior to the Ukraine conflict, the EIA had predicted a nearly 2.7 million bpd increase in OPEC’s oil output this year, the largest year-over-year jump in production since 2004.
Energy research firm Rystad Energy most recently estimated that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait can bring about 4 million bpd of spare capacity into the market within three to six months, potentially easing the crisis. However, that amount still falls short of Russia’s 7 million bpd in oil exports, according to Reuters.
In an interview with Bloomberg News last week, OPEC’s outgoing general secretary Mohammad Barkindo said there is "no physical shortage of oil” amid the Ukraine crisis, adding that the physical market supplies are guaranteed.
Barkindo’s statement underscores the OPEC+’s likelihood of only beefing up production once signs of a supply crunch become more imminent. One factor that could prompt the cartel to yield to calls to accelerate output is the potential for a demand destruction. Oil demand may soon peak and decline when retail fuel prices become relatively expensive and as the prices of other consumer goods skyrocket.
The transition to renewable energy sources and the shift to new-energy vehicles may also cause oil demand to weaken, especially as Western countries and other economic giants like China accelerate their climate action targets.
The potential end to the Russia-Ukraine dispute could likewise stabilize oil prices and encourage OPEC+ to boost output as global supply chains and activities resume, although the likelihood of this happening in the near term is relatively slim as Western countries have refused to directly intervene over fears of wide-ranging “consequences” from Vladimir Putin.
Breaking: The OPEC report is issuedOPEC monthly report was issued a few minutes ago, and the report was not positive for OPEC+ and the oil-producing countries within the group, led by Saudi Arabia. OPEC kept its forecast for oil demand in 2021 unchanged at an increase of 6 million barrels per day, bringing the average to 96.6 million barrels per day, and also kept its forecast for the growth of oil demands in 2022 by 3.3 million barrels per day, bringing the average production to 99.86 million barrels per day.
While OPEC+ raised its expectations for an increase in the production of oil-producing countries outside the group by 840 thousand barrels per day, to reach an increase of 2.9 million barrels per day, with a total average of 66.9 million barrels per day in 2022.
It also raised its forecast for the production growth of oil-producing countries outside the group in 2021 by 270,000 barrels per day to reach 1.1 million barrels per day, with a total average of 64 million barrels per day.