A surprise crude build from API sent WTI briefly lower but as the dollar has tumbled this morning, crude prices have rallied back above $47.50, helped by optimistic jawboning from Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih.
“We will meet in April and I’m certain that we will extend it,” Al-Falih told reporters in Riyadh, referring to the next meeting of OPEC+ members to discuss whether to extend the December agreement to reduce output. “We need more time to achieve the result.”
Additionally, Al-Falih said the current price dip isn’t based on supply and demand of oil, and has plenty of blame to go around:
“What has happened in my opinion recently is a confluence of many non-oil fundamental issues including the geopolitical issues, especially around the sanctions and the waivers that were granted by the United States,” Al-Falih said.
“It also includes the trade tension between the U.S. and China.”
But for now inventories are what is driving price action.
API
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Crude +3.45mm (-3.25mm exp)
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Cushing +1.063mm (+1.3mm exp)
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Gasoline +1.76mm
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Distillates -3.442mm
DOE
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Crude -497k (-3.25mm exp)
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Cushing +1.091mm (+1.3mm exp)
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Gasoline +1.766mm
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Distillates -4.237mm – biggest draw since March
After two weekly draws, last night’s build from API surprised traders, and DOE reported only a small crude draw of 497k (well below the 3.25mm draw expected). Distillates saw the biggest draw since March
Crude production is unchanged on the week.
WTI remains well below $50 still…
“The market is experiencing price carnage, maximum pain and considerable downside pressure,” technical analyst Robin Bieber said in a report for PVM Oil Associates. The space between the flat price and the 5-day MA is unsustainable and “begs for a temporary ‘cooling off’ reaction higher to relieve some of the recent pressure.”
Still, the market is “weak and very exposed to lower numbers”
Hovering around $47.50 ahead of the DOE data, energy stocks also rallied into the print on whisp[ers and kneejerked up to $48 on the confirmed crude draw…
But downside risk remains:
“The market’s judgment on the most recent cuts deal, even before it starts, is now pretty clear — it was too vague, lacked some credibility, and the April review date suggested it might be too short,” said Derek Brower, a director at consultant RS Energy Group.
“So it makes sense that producers are already fretting. But it is also pretty early to be saying what OPEC will do in April – lots can change by then.”
Concerns about oversupply and the slowing global economy seemingly grow by the day.
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