Recap: Oil prices rose on Thursday, supported by comments by the head of OPEC that the organization could take action to balance markets and that it will decide in December on supply for next year. Prices experienced a slow but steady climb throughout the session, with November WTI rising to a high of $53.77 a barrel, a gain of $1.18, or 2.2%, while December Brent tacked on 98 cents, or 1.7%, to trade at a session high of $59.30 a barrel. Gains were pared just prior to the settlement period, with November WTI adding 96 cents, or 1.8%, to settle at $53.55 a barrel, the highest front-month settlement since Oct. 1. December Brent gained 78 cents, or 1.3%, to end at $59.10 a barrel, the highest finish since Sept. 30. November RBOB rose 2.3%, to $1.6233 a gallon, while November heating oil added nearly 0.1%, to $1.9208 a gallon.
Technical Analysis: WTI appears to have built a bottom down around the $51.00 area, and with Thursday’s settlement above the 10-day moving average, we would look for a push toward $55.00. Based upon a weekly spot continuation chart, there is resistance set at $54.61, making this the upside target for Friday’s session. Above this level, additional resistance is set at $55.00. Support is set at $53.38 and below that at $51.95.
Fundamental News: Reuters reported Thursday that PDVSA and China National Petroleum have restarted crude blending operations at their Petrosinovensa joint venture plant at the eastern Venezuelan Jose terminal. Operatiosn last week reportedly had been halted because of an accumulation of crude oil stocks at the facility due to the impact sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. The facility which blends extra heavy crude from the Orinoco oil belt with lighter grades was running at 105,000 b/d. It appeas this is the only blending plant currently operating. Petropiar, a joint venture between PDVSA and Chevron, suspended operations back in September.
According to OPEC’s monthly report, Saudi Arabia said its output in September fell by 660,000 bpd on the month to 9.13 million bpd in the wake of attacks on its energy installations. Meanwhile, secondary sources stated that Saudi Arabia’s oil production was lower, falling by 1.28 milion bpd on the month to 8.56 million bpd. In its monthly report, OPEC said its production was down 1.32 million bpd on the month in September at 28.49 million bpd, largely due to the Saudi attacks. OPEC lowered its forecast for non-OPEC supply growth in 2020 by 50,000 bpd to 2.2 million bpd due to downward revisions for Kazakhstan and Russia. However, OPEC left unchanged its 2020 forecast for global oil demand growth at 1.08 million bpd. It revised its 2020 demand for its crude up by 200,000 bpd to 29.6 million bpd, down 1.2 million bpd from the estimated 2019 level.
Saudi Aramco’s head, Amin Nasser, said Saudi Arabia’s crude production returned to pre-attack levels of about 9.9 million bpd and maximum sustained capacity of 12 million bpd could be restored earlier than the end of November target that officials have aimed for.
At least seven refiners across Asia will receive the full Saudi crude volumes they have requested for November loading, a sign that Saudi Arabia’s production has stabilized following the September attacks on its oil facilities. Most of the refiners are receiving the crude grades that they want. There was no request from Saudi Aramco for them to change grades.
The head of Gunvor, Torbjorn Tornqvist, said the short-lived oil price rally in the wake of the attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities last month is a reflection of the Middle Eastern country’s waning influence in global oil markets. Increasing fears over the health of the global economy have added a more bearish market sentiment, alongside increasing supplies of US shale oil and a weaker outlook for global oil demand growth. As a result, most market watchers see a lower risk premium to prices from supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Early Market Call - as of 9:20 AM EDT
WTI - Nov $53.81, up 26 cents
RBOB - Nov $1.6260, up 28 points
HO - Nov $1.9414, up 2.08 cents
View the Sprague Refined Products Market Watch Report in a downloadable pdf format by clicking below.
Click to view more online:
Heating Oil Supplier
Diesel Supplier
View market updates
View our refined products glossary
Go to SpraguePORT online
This market update is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as advice on any transaction nor is it a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Sprague makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents of such news, including, without limitation, its accuracy and completeness, and Sprague shall not be responsible for the consequence of reliance upon any opinions, statements, projections and analyses presented herein or for any omission or error in fact. The views expressed in this material are through the period as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance or results and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied, or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without Sprague’s express written consent.