Oil prices edged higher on Thursday as OPEC forecast relatively strong growth in global oil demand over the next two years and a cold blast in the U.S. disrupted some oil production.
OPEC, in a monthly report, said world oil demand will rise by a robust 1.85 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025 to 106.21 million bpd.
For 2024, OPEC saw demand growth of 2.25 million bpd, unchanged from its forecast in December.
Meanwhile, in North Dakota, a top oil-producing U.S. state, below-zero degrees Fahrenheit temperatures caused oil output there to fall by 650,000 to 700,000 bpd, to less than half its typical output, the state said.
Domestic crude stockpiles rose last week by 480,000 barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Wednesday.
Persons:
Fatih Birol
Organizations:
Brent, U.S . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, International Energy Agency, Reuters Global
Locations:
U.S, North Dakota, Africa, United States, Yemen, Iran, Gaza