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Investors had expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend voluntary cuts into October, but the three-month extension was unexpected. "This is a clear indication that oil prices trump volume (for Saudi Arabia)," said Jorge Leon, senior vice president at Rystad Energy. "These bullish moves significantly tighten the global oil market and can only result in one thing: higher oil prices worldwide," Leon added. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia said they would review the supply cuts monthly, and could modify them depending on market conditions. Along with the Saudi supply cuts, which began in July, prospects of the U.S. economy avoiding a hard recession have helped lift oil demand and prices in recent months.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, Goldman Sachs, Jorge Leon, Leon, Giovanni Staunovo, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Andrea Ricci, Nick Macfie, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, Investors, Rystad Energy, UBS, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, BENGALURU, 4Q23, U.S, Saudi

☆ Oil jumps as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend supply cuts to end-2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Riyadh's decision to extend its 1 million bpd voluntary cut will be reviewed monthly to consider whether to deepen the cut or increase production, state news agency SPA said on Tuesday. It has been cutting output and exports in tandem with Saudi Arabia on top of existing OPEC+ supply reductions. Russia had said it would cut oil exports voluntarily by 500,000 bpd, about 5% of its output, in August and by 300,000 bpd in September. Although Saudi Arabia was widely expected to extend its voluntary cuts into October, and Russia had indicated that it too planned on expanding its cut through next month, the three month extension was unexpected. Brent, which is used to price over three-quarters of the world's traded oil, has been rising since late June, after Riyadh first announced its voluntary cuts.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Alexander Novak, Craig Erlam, Brent, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Sharon Singleton, Jason Neely, Jan Harvey, David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, OPEC, Reuters, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Brent, Riyadh, London, Tokyo, Beijing

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) October futures rose $2.42, or about 2.8%, to $87.97 a barrel, also a 10-month high. Investors had expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend voluntary cuts into October, but the three-month extension was unexpected"It would appear they're trying to double down and capitalize on the recent price moves. Both countries said they would review the supply cuts monthly, and could modify them depending on market conditions. Prospects of the U.S. economy avoiding a hard recession have helped lift oil demand and prices in recent months. Brent futures, which are used to price over three-quarters of the world's traded oil, have gained by about 26% since late June, after Riyadh first announced its voluntary cuts.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Goldman Sachs, Craig Erlam, Brent, Giovanni Staunovo, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, Investors, Reuters, bbl, UBS, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, BENGALURU, U.S, 4Q23, Riyadh, London, Tokyo, Beijing

Saudi Arabia has spearheaded efforts to support prices, making large voluntary output cuts as part of a production deal agreed by the OPEC+ producer group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements have come ahead of its official selling prices, which typically emerge in the first week of the month. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, meanwhile, has said that Moscow had agreed with OPEC+ partners on the parameters for continued export cuts in October. Saudi Arabia and Russia could withdraw the cuts at any point, said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam, "but I can't imagine they'll be in any rush and risk sending the price tumbling again." The oil market is vulnerable to price spikes due to low inventories and underinvestment in new oilfields, a senior official at global commodities trading firm Trafigura (TRAFGF.UL) said on Monday.

Persons: Alexander Novak, Craig Erlam, Brent, Russell Hardy, Xi, John Evans, Stephanie Kelly, Paul Carsten, Natalie Grover, Mohi Narayan, Yousef Saba, Andrew Hayley, Jason Neely, David Goodman, Mike Harrison Organizations: Companies, U.S . Federal, of, Petroleum, Saudi, . West Texas, . U.S, Federal, Thomson Locations: Companies Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Moscow, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, ., New York, London, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable on Monday amid expectations that major producers would keep supplies tight, as hopes grew for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged to avoid dampening the U.S. economy. Both contracts ended last week at their highest in more than half a year, after two previous weeks of losses. "Crude oil prices have been primarily driven by the anticipation of additional supply cuts from major oil-producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Sugandha Sachdeva, executive vice president and chief strategist at Acme Investment Advisors. Saudi Arabia is expected to roll over a voluntary 1-million-barrel per day (bpd) cut into October. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements on its voluntary cut extension came ahead of its official selling prices, which typically come out in the first week of the month.

Persons: Sugandha Sachdeva, Sachdeva, Alexander Novak, Russell Hardy, Paul Carsten, Mohi Narayan, Yousef Saba, Andrew Hayley, Simon Clarence Fernandez, Jason Neely Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, . West Texas, Acme Investment Advisors, Saudi, Russia, Organization of, Petroleum, Reserve, PMI, Investors, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, London, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing

☆ Oil steady amid OPEC+ supply cut expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Mohi Narayan | Thomson Reuters | Reports On Everything How Asia S Fuel Use Recovers The Fallout Of To Tracking How The Global Energy Transition Impacts Refinery Expansion Plans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable on Monday, amid expectations that major producers would keep supplies tight, as hopes grew for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged to avoid dampening the U.S. economy. "Crude oil prices have been primarily driven by the anticipation of additional supply cuts from major oil-producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Sugandha Sachdeva, executive vice president and chief strategist at Acme Investment Advisors. Sachdeva added, however, that the steady increase in U.S. oil production could limit further significant gains in price. Russia has already said it will cut exports by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, following a 500,000-bpd cut in August. "Because of the OPEC+ cuts, there's not sufficient supply (of sour crude) for all these complex refineries in India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman and China," Hardy said.

Persons: Sugandha Sachdeva, Sachdeva, Alexander Novak, Russell Hardy, there's, Hardy, Mohi Narayan, Andrew Hayley, Simon Cameron, Moore, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, . West Texas, Acme Investment Advisors, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: DELHI, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, New Delhi, Beijing

☆ Oil rises on China, US economic data and OPEC+ cut expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices ticked up in Asian morning trade on Monday, as market sentiment was buoyed by positive China and U.S. economic data, as well as expectations of ongoing crude supply cuts from major producers. In the U.S., employment data was higher than expected on Friday, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 187,000 jobs last month. An official announcement with details of the planned cuts is expected this week. Russia has already said it will cut exports by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, following a 500,000 bpd cut in August. Saudi Arabia is also expected to roll over a voluntary 1 million bpd cut into October.

Persons: Brent, nonfarm, Alexander Novak's, Andrew Hayley, Jamie Freed Organizations: . West Texas, Beijing, Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia

Based on the historical record, after prices peak it takes on average 5 months for drilling to turn down and 12 months for production to decline. Following the drilling peak, Lower 48 output is likely to peak in the third quarter of 2023, as exploration and production firms work their way through the inventory of drilled but uncompleted oil wells. Chartbook: U.S. oil and gas productionOn the gas side, dry production amounted to 3,082 billion cubic feet in June, an increase of 4% compared with the same month a year earlier (“Natural gas monthly”, EIA, Aug. 31). Like oil, though perhaps a few months later, gas production is likely to peak and turn lower before the end of 2023 as low prices and the slowdown in drilling filter through. Related columns:- Oil market to tighten modestly in late 2023 (August 17, 2023)- U.S. oil and gas production begins to flatten (August 4, 2023)- U.S. oil and gas production set to turn down later in 2023 (July 5, 2023)- U.S. oil and gas output still rising in response to high prices last year (June 1, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Baker Hughes, John Kemp, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: U.S . Energy Information Administration, “ Petroleum, Saudi, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Gulf, Mexico, Ukraine, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia

Pipelines run to Enbridge Inc.'s crude oil storage tanks at their tank farm in Cushing, Oklahoma. Cushing crude inventories have declined in five of the most recent six weeks by a total of 9 million barrels (-24%) since July 14. The drawdown in U.S. crude inventories has coincided with additional production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia totalling around 75 million barrels during July and August. U.S. NET CRUDE IMPORTSU.S. net crude oil imports remain subdued despite the depletion of inventories with exports continuing to run at a relatively fast rate while imports stay low. Related columns:- Oil market to tighten modestly in late 2023 (August 17, 2023)- Crude oil and fuels draw funds as sentiment shifts (August 7, 2023)- U.S. oil and gas production begins to flatten (August 4, 2023)- Saudi output cut removes downside risk from oil market (July 12, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Nick Oxford, CUSHING, Cushing, Biden, John Kemp, David Evans Organizations: Enbridge Inc, REUTERS, U.S . Energy Information Administration, refiners, Traders, NET, U.S . Department of Energy, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Chartbook, Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Asia, Europe, Asia . U.S, Ukraine, Saudi

Analysts polled by Reuters prior to the data had estimated on average a draw of 3.3 million barrels. The offshore Gulf of Mexico accounts for about 15% of U.S. oil output and about 5% of natural gas production, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Oil major Chevron Corp CVX.N evacuated some staff from the region, but production was continuing at the sites its operates in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil supply is expected to remain tight as analysts expect Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, will extend its voluntary output cut into October. However, worries about fuel demand and the mixed economic situation in China, the world's biggest oil importer, kept a lid on prices.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Toshitaka Tazawa, Yuka Obayashi, Trixie Yap, Christian Schmollinger, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, U.S, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters, Fujitomi Securities Co, Hurricane, Energy Information Administration, . Oil, Chevron Corp CVX.N, Capital, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, SINGAPORE, U.S, Gulf, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Gabon, China, Tokyo, Singapore

The weather system is not expected to hit major oil producing platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. However, oil major Chevron Corp (CVX.N) evacuated some staff from three platforms in the region. Expectations of a steep decline in U.S. crude oil stockpiles have also benefited oil prices, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. U.S. crude oil inventories are expected to have dropped by 3.3 million barrels in the latest week, according to an extended Reuters poll on Tuesday. "Even with the potential for some demand destruction (from hurricane Idalia), the coming crude oil supply squeeze is becoming more painfully obvious," said Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn.

Persons: Hurricane Idalia, Idalia, Robert Yawger, Yawger, Giovanni Staunovo, Baker Hughes, Phil Flynn, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, Josie Kao, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Companies, Florida U.S, Hurricane, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, Hurricane Center, Labor, Chevron Corp, Chevron, UBS, American Petroleum Institute, Futures, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, BENGALURU, Florida, Miami, U.S . Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, Bengaluru, London, Singapore, Houston

Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday as Hurricane Idalia intensified as it headed towards Florida's Gulf Coast, threatening to hit crude oil supplies in an already tightening market. Brent crude oil futures rose 34 cents, or 0.4%, to $84.76 a barrel by 11:44 a.m. EDT [1544 GMT], while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 36 cents, or 0.5%, to $80.46 a barrel. U.S. crude oil inventories are expected to have dropped in the latest week, according to a preliminary Reuters poll on Monday. On the demand front, investors are monitoring data from major economies for further clues on interest rates this year and next. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday said the U.S. central bank may need to raise interest rates further to cool stubborn inflation.

Persons: Idalia, Phil Flynn, Jerome Powell, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, Louise Heavens, David Goodman, Mike Harrison Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Brent, U.S . West Texas, Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, Futures, Federal, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, Gulf, U.S, Florida, Cuba, Mexico, Garyville , Louisiana, United States, Beijing, Bengaluru, London, Singapore, Houston

☆ Oil slips as demand worries outweigh supply concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Tuesday as worries that further possible U.S. interest rate hikes could pull down demand outweighed concerns that a tropical storm off the U.S. Gulf Coast may impact supply. Investors await key U.S. economic data later this week that will help determine the path of interest rates this year and next. FEDWATCH"It may be difficult for oil prices to maintain the strong bull trend (seen) in July at this stage. The U.S. and European economies will face downward pressure in the fourth quarter until interest rates peak," said CMC Markets analyst Leon Li. "So there might be a concern about demand, which puts pressure on oil prices.

Persons: Brent, Jerome Powell, Leon Li, Idalia, Emily Chow, Arathy, Tom Hogue Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, U.S, West Texas, Federal, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, U.S, Gulf, Beijing, WTI, Cuba, Florida, Singapore, Houston, Lincoln

☆ Oil trades flat as supply concerns offset worries over demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Oil prices traded flat on Tuesday as worries that further possible U.S. interest rate hikes could pull down demand were countered by concerns a tropical storm off the U.S. Gulf Coast may impact supply. Investors await key U.S. economic data later this week that will help determine the path of interest rates this year and next. FEDWATCH"It may be difficult for oil prices to maintain the strong bull trend (seen) in July at this stage. The U.S. and European economies will face downward pressure in the fourth quarter until interest rates peak," said CMC Markets analyst Leon Li. "So there might be a concern about demand, which puts pressure on oil prices.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Idalia is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour) before hitting the northwest coast of Florida early on Wednesday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The weather system is not expected to hit major oil producing platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. However, oil major Chevron Corp (CVX.N) evacuated some staff from three platforms in the region. Production was continuing at Chevron-operated Gulf of Mexico oil and gas facilities. U.S. crude oil inventories are expected to have dropped in the latest week, according to a preliminary Reuters poll on Monday.

Persons: Brent, Hurricane Idalia, Idalia, Robert Yawger, Yawger, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, David Goodman, Mike Harrison, Josie Kao Organizations: Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, bbl U.S, Hurricane, . West Texas, Brent, U.S, Federal Reserve, National Hurricane Center, Labor, Chevron Corp, Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, Florida, BENGALURU, U.S . Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, Garyville , Louisiana, United States, Bengaluru, London, Singapore, Houston

LONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Crude oil prices have stalled as the wave of hedge fund buying that helped lift them throughout July and the first part of August has been replaced by gentle selling. Hedge funds and other money managers sold the equivalent of 30 million barrels in the six most important petroleum futures and options contracts over the seven days ending on Aug. 22. Nearly all the sales were in crude (-29 million barrels) with sales of NYMEX and ICE WTI (-16 million barrels) and Brent (-13 million barrels), according to position records filed with regulators and exchanges. There was a mix of profit-taking after the previous rally by liquidating existing bullish long positions (-18 million barrels) and speculative short sales (+11 million barrels) in anticipation of future price falls. There are also increasing indications the United States is relaxing sanctions on crude exports from Iran and Venezuela in exchange for diplomatic objectives and to keep a lid on oil prices.

Persons: Brent, John Kemp, Barbara Lewis Organizations: ICE, Henry, U.S . National Oceanic, Prediction Center, CPC, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, COVID, States, Iran, Venezuela, NYMEX, United States, Pacific, North America

☆ Exxon says world set to fail 2°C global warming cap by 2050
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Sabrina Valle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The largest U.S. oil producer projects the world will reach 25 billion metric tons of energy related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2050, according to its energy outlook published on Monday. That is more than twice of the 11 billion metric tons the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) say would be needed on average in its Lower 2°C scenarios. Only two of the 55 technologies needed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 are “on track,” Exxon said citing the IEA. Overall, Exxon projects energy-related CO2 emissions will peak at more than 34 billion metric tons sometime this decade as economies and energy demand grow, and then decline to 25 billion metric tons in 2050. It expects wind and solar to provide 11% of the world’s energy supply in 2050, five times today’s contribution.

Persons: Pascal Rossignol, Exxon, Sabrina Valle, Josie Kao Organizations: IPC Petroleum France, REUTERS, Companies Exxon, HOUSTON, Exxon Mobil Corp, United Nations, Exxon, International Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: Soudron, Reims, France, U.S

☆ Oil rises as China moves to support economy, tropical storm in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)'s Dalian Petrochemical Corp refinery is seen near the downtown of Dalian in Liaoning province, China July 17, 2018. The market is also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Idalia and any risk it poses to oil and gas output in the U.S. Gulf. The focus today is on "China actions to support its economy, Tropical Storm Idalia heading for Florida and whether Brent can regain momentum on a break above $85," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. That "should see some short-term support for the oil price", he said. Oil prices have remained above $80 a barrel with support from falling oil inventories and supply cuts from the OPEC+ group of oil producers.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Idalia, Fed's Powell, Brent, Ole Hansen, Tony Sycamore, Jerome Powell, Tina Teng, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Jason Neely, Kirsten Donovan, Louise Heavens, Sharon Singleton Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, . West Texas Intermediate, Saxo Bank, CMC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, Florida, U.S . Gulf, Brent, Cuba, U.S, OPEC, Saudi Arabia

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)'s Dalian Petrochemical Corp refinery is seen near the downtown of Dalian in Liaoning province, China July 17, 2018. CMC markets analyst Tina Teng said a soft-landing scenario for the U.S. economy buoyed energy markets on Monday, despite the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance on rate hikes. That "should see some short term support for the oil price", he said. Oil prices have remained above $80 a barrel on support from falling oil inventories and supply cuts from the OPEC+ collective of oil producers. Reporting by Florence Tan and Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Baker Hughes, Brent, WTI, Jerome Powell, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore, Tina Teng, Idalia, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Christopher Cushing, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, U.S, West Texas, IG, PMI, CMC, Federal, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, SINGAPORE, U.S, United States, Caribbean, Florida, Gulf, OPEC, Iran, Venezuela

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)'s Dalian Petrochemical Corp refinery is seen near the downtown of Dalian in Liaoning province, China July 17, 2018. REUTERS/Chen Aizhu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Baker Hughes Co FollowSINGAPORE, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices were marginally lower on Monday as investors stayed fretful over the pace of economic growth in China, and the prospect of further U.S. interest rate hikes that could dampen fuel demand. Oil rose in early Asian trade before paring gains, as China's move to halve stamp duty on stock trading to boost struggling markets temporarily pushed up prices. In the United States, energy firms cut the number of active oil rigs for a ninth month in August, Baker Hughes said in a report. Reporting by Florence Tan and Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)'s Dalian Petrochemical Corp refinery is seen near the downtown of Dalian in Liaoning province, China July 17, 2018. Brent crude settled 6 cents lower at $84.42 a barrel, after touching a session high of over $85 earlier in the day. Tropical Storm Idalia was expected to intensify into a major hurricane on Monday as it barrelled toward Florida's Gulf Coast. Some worried it could hit the eastern side of U.S. Gulf Coast crude production. Oil prices have remained above $80 a barrel with support from falling oil inventories and supply cuts from the OPEC+ group of oil producers.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Idalia, Brent, Jerome Powell, Dennis Kissler, Ole Hansen, Tony Sycamore, Alex Lawler, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Jason Neely, Kirsten Donovan, Louise Heavens, Sharon Singleton, David Gregorio, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, HOUSTON, . West Texas, Federal, BOK, Saxo Bank, Gulf, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, Florida, U.S, Gulf Coast, Gulf, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, London

REUTERS/Chen Aizhu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Oil futures climbed about 1% to a one-week high on Friday as U.S. diesel prices soared, the number of oil rigs dropped and a fire broke out at a refinery in Louisiana. Brent futures rose $1.12, or 1.3%, to settle at $84.48 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 78 cents, or 1.0%, to settle at $79.83. Diesel futures soared about 5% to a near seven-month high, boosting the diesel crack spread , a measure of refining profit margins, to its highest since January 2023. "The main thing was concern about diesel prices, the diesel crack spread and worries about diesel shortages when refineries go into maintenance," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. He added prices also drew support from a fire at a Louisiana refinery and a drop in U.S. oil rigs.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Phil Flynn, Brent, WTI, Baker Hughes, Jerome Powell, Morgan Stanley, John Evans, Natalie Grover, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, David Goodman, Jason Neely, David Gregorio, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, U.S, West Texas, Diesel, Price Futures Group, U.S ., Federal, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, Louisiana, Brent, , Louisiana, U.S, Germany, Europe's, Norwegian, London, Washington, Singapore

☆ Oil set for 2nd weekly fall on firm dollar as supply worries ebb
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude rose 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $83.66 a barrel by 0434 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 31 cents, also 0.4%, at $79.36 a barrel. Crude prices are set to fall between 1.5%-2.5% for the week, a second consecutive week of decline. A strong dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Further weighing on market sentiment, U.S. officials are drafting a proposal that would ease sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, allowing more companies and countries to import its crude oil. Analysts estimated that the top oil exporter will likely roll over a voluntary oil cut of 1 million barrels per day for a third consecutive month into October, amid uncertainty about supplies and as the kingdom targets drawing down global inventories further.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Jerome Powell, Brent, Jun Rong, Powell's, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, Companies United, Federal, U.S, West Texas, IG, Haitong Futures, Analysts, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, Companies United States, America, Turkey, Kurdistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia

Brent crude rose 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.36 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.05 a barrel. Prices traded lower for the majority of the session, before pushing higher in the last half hour of trading. Investor caution on the eve of his remarks lifted the safe-haven dollar, which makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Euro zone business activity also declined more than expected and Britain's economy looked set to shrink in the current quarter. On the supply side, Iran's crude oil output will reach 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of September, the country's oil minister was quoted as saying by state media, even though U.S. sanctions remain in place.

Persons: Brent, Giovanni Staunovo, Jackson, Jerome Powell, Craig Erlam, Erlam, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mohi Narayan, Kim Coghill, David Evans, David Gregorio, Deepa Babington Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, bbl, U.S, Fed, West Texas, UBS, U.S . Federal, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU, Europe, New York, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, U.S ., Japan, Venezuela, American

Brent crude fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.05 a barrel by 11:41 a.m. EDT (1541 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 12 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.77 a barrel. "Disappointing data and nerves that the Federal Reserve could reinforce a hawkish stance are weighing on oil," said Fiona Cincotta, analyst at City Index. On the supply side, Iran's crude oil output will reach 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of September, the country's oil minister was quoted as saying by state media, even though U.S. sanctions remain in place. U.S. crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) fell by 6.1 million barrels in the week to Aug. 18 to 433.5 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.8 million-barrel drop.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Brent, Fiona Cincotta, Jackson, Powell, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mohi Narayan, Kim Coghill, David Evans, David Gregorio Our Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, Fed, U.S . Federal, . West Texas, Federal, Wednesday Japan, Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU, U.S, American, Saudi Arabia

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