US crude inventories reaching record highs led to further declines in oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate dropping below $80 per barrel, surprising traders and reducing investor confidence.
Oil Prices
The World Bank warns that escalating conflicts in the Middle East could push oil prices over $100 a barrel, potentially increasing the recent decline in global inflation and worsening economic challenges worldwide.
A potential increase in oil prices is expected following the recent attack on Israel by Iran, although the extent of possibilities gains hinges on the response.
Ukraine has reportedly deployed 35 drones to target various locations in Russia, resulting in a fire at an oil refinery and disruptions to electricity supplies in border areas.
Oil prices declined further on Monday as traders awaited new inflation data, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent contracts dropping by 40 cents and 35 cents per barrel, respectively.
Oil prices remained relatively stable on Thursday, with Brent crude futures settling unchanged at $82.96 per barrel.
Oil prices surged 2% post-Fed Chair Powell's hints at rate cuts. WTI crude reached $79.73/barrel, reflecting monetary policy's impact on commodity markets.
Oil prices jumped 2% on Friday as the United States (US) and Britain launched air and sea strikes in Yemen against the Houthi militants.
Oil prices surged over 3% on Wednesday following a warning from the US regarding Houthi militants' activities in the Red Sea.
LNG supporters are worried about the continuous fall in the industry amid oil price recovery. Liquefied natural gas prices continue its downhill slide despite a 50% surge in Brent oil prices.
Royal Dutch Shell is reportedly seeking buyers for its North Sea assets following the merger with BG. The oil company intends to raise $30 billion from the sale of its global assets in order to balance the BG merger expenses.
Qatari media network Al Jazeera is announcing its plan to cut 50 jobs as a part of an optimization initiative. As a partly state-funded company, Al Jazeera is impacted by the slump in oil prices, which is the country’s main sector.
Chancellor George Osborne has announced a £1-billion rescue package for trouble-hit North Sea oil industry. The government is also extending £730 million support for renewable electricity.
Oil prices might have propelled above $40 a barrel level in the past week as Iran was expected to join other producers to freeze its oil output. However, Iran wants to help its ailing economy, regardless of the oversupply.
UAE venture capital firm BECO Capital expects that the tech sector will spur amid the slowdown in the economy due to low oil prices. Especially in the region, the firm projects that tech startups will face a significant growth as the government seek to achieve diversification to non-oil sectors.
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