Free Trial

Mid-Day Oil Summary: Crude Eases Back

OIL

Crude markets are trading lower on the day, amid a slight easing in shipping risks from the Red Sea. This is despite large-scale avoidance of the region. API data showing a stock build is adding further downside.

  • Brent FEB 24 down -1.1% at 78.74$/bbl
  • WTI FEB 24 down -1.4% at 73.04$/bbl
  • API weekly oil stock data from late yesterday according to Bloomberg. Crude +1.837mbbl, Cushing +1.568mbbl, Gasoline -0.482mbbl, Distillate +0.272mbbl.
  • The day delayed EIA weekly petroleum status report will be released at 11:00 ET (16:00 GMT) today. Crude inventories are expected to show a draw of -2.88mbbls for the week ending 22 December according to a Bloomberg survey.
  • Half of the container ships which regularly transit the Red Sea and Suez Canal is avoiding the area because of the risk of attack, according to Bloomberg.
  • Oil product exports from Russia in the week to Dec 24 fell 666kb/d to 2.5mb/d according to Bloomberg based on Vortexa data.
  • Sinopec expects China’s oil product demand growth to ease to 1.7% in 2024 from the post-Covid demand boost to 16.1% in 2023, according to Bloomberg.
  • Gasoline crack spreads are edging higher ahead of the updated EIA stocks data while diesel is steady after falling to the lowest since mid-July yesterday.
  • A mild winter will create a calm start to 2024 for European diesel markets, but ageing refinery capacity in the region and the risk of unplanned outages could keep markets volatile, according to Argus.
  • Neste's Porvoo oil refinery is facing a likely halt to production amid two planned days of labour strike action.
  • Total is restarting production units at its Donges refinery on the west coast of France according to a community alert. No details were provided of the specific units.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.