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U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.16 to $71.78. Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said it was "realistic" to reach oil prices of around $80 per barrel, Russian state news agencies reported. Capping oil price gains was the prospect of rising interest rates, which could slow economic growth. The Bank of England is set to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point next week. Investors have been closely watching interest rates and commentary from Fed members.

Persons: Brent, Nikolai Shulginov, Shulginov, Baker Hughes, Phil Flynn, Stephanie Kelly, Alex Lawler, Sudarshan, David Goodman, Louise Heavens, David Evans, David Gregorio, Nick Macfie Organizations: bbl Bank of England, . West Texas, Oil, Kuwait Petroleum, Organization of, Petroleum, Russian Energy, Bank of England, European Central Bank, U.S . Federal, Price Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson Locations: Russia, U.S, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russian, Iran

☆ Oil heads for weekly gain as supply cuts balance demand concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Bank of England is set to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point next week. Rising interest rates could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand. However, both oil benchmarks were heading for a small weekly gain after declines in the past two weeks. Oil gained about 3% on Thursday on hopes of increasing Chinese demand. China's refinery throughput rose in May to its second-highest total on record and Kuwait Petroleum Corp's CEO expects Chinese demand to keep climbing during the second half.

Persons: Ole Hansen, Alex Lawler, Sudarshan Varadhan, Stephanie Kelly, David Goodman Organizations: Bank of England, European Central Bank, U.S . Federal, Saxo Bank, Brent, West Texas, Oil, Kuwait Petroleum, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Bank, OPEC, Brent, Saudi Arabia

Data on Thursday showed China's oil refinery throughput rose 15.4% in May from a year earlier, hitting its second-highest total on record. In the United States, data released on Thursday showed retail sales unexpectedly rose in May, along with higher-than-expected jobless claims last week. A weaker dollar makes oil cheaper for holders of other currencies, which could boost demand. Still, a weak economic outlook looms over market sentiment, as China's industrial output and retail sales growth in May missed forecasts. Higher interest rates ultimately increase borrowing costs for consumers, which could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Persons: Edward Moya, OANDA, Stephanie Kelly, Leslie Adler, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Kuwait Petroleum, Organization of, Petroleum, European Central Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: China, Kuwait, United States, Saudi Arabia, New York, Singapore

June 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil stockpiles posted a surprise large build last week, while gasoline and distillate inventories gained more than expected, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday. Crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) rose by 7.9 million barrels in the week to June 9, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a draw of 510,000 barrels. Meanwhile, refinery crude runs (USOICR=ECI) fell by 61,000 barrels per day (bpd). Brent crude futures traded at $74.26 and U.S. crude was at $69.34 at 10:55 a.m. EDT. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub (USOICC=ECI) rose by 1.6 million barrels last week, the EIA said, to the highest since June 2021.

Persons: Matt Smith, Cushing, Andrew Lipow, Stephanie Kelly, Mark Potter, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Energy Information Administration, EIA, Americas, Brent, Cushing, Lipow Oil Associates, Thomson Locations: Kpler, Oklahoma, Houston

NEW YORK, June 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release a final rule on biofuel blending volume mandates for the years 2023-2025 by June 21, after seeking a one-week extension on a deadline for the rule, according to a court document on Tuesday. The EPA was set to issue a final rule by Wednesday under a court-ordered deadline, but has agreed to an extension with industry trade group Growth Energy, the filing showed. The final rule is set to mark a new chapter of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, which is more than a decade old. The EPA is expected to abandon that part of the proposal in the final rule, Reuters previously reported, citing sources. It is unclear whether those requirements will change in the final rule.

Persons: Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw, Paul Simao, Barbara Lewis Organizations: YORK, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Growth Energy, Reuters, U.S, District of Columbia, Renewable, Thomson

An uptick in economic activity from China and with it fuel demand could quickly change sentiment in the market, he said. "I could paint the picture this could turn around quite quickly," Parfitt said. NATURAL GASThe natural gas market has tightened since the Ukraine war started because Russia shut in some production when it lost European buyers due to sanctions and damage to pipelines. Chevron sees Europe as a strong market for short- to medium-term gas demand as Europe seeks to substitute Russian supply, he said. Chevron is a big natural gas producer, and pumps more than half its output from the United States and Australia.

Persons: You've, Colin Parfitt, midstream, Parfitt, " Parfitt, I'm, Stephanie Kelly, Simon Webb, Deepa Babington Organizations: YORK, Chevron, Reuters, Brent, Thomson Locations: China, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Asia, United States, Australia

NEW YORK, June 6 (Reuters) - The Biden administration will abandon a scheme to include the electric vehicle industry in the nation's biofuel blending program and will remove nearly 2 billion credits the ambitious expansion was expected to generate in a final rule set to be released later this month, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The EV program would have been a boost to President Joe Biden's goal of electrifying the motor vehicle industry to fight climate change. The White House declined to comment, and the Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the RFS, did not respond to requests for comment. The White House is currently reviewing a final rule on biofuel blending mandates for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. Reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett RenshawOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden's, Stephanie Kelly, Jarrett Renshaw Organizations: YORK, Reuters, U.S . Renewable, Tesla Inc, Environmental Protection Agency, Thomson

The higher crude output came as production in Texas rose 1.8% to 5.398 million bpd, also its highest since March 2020, the EIA data showed. Consumption of crude oil has ticked higher since the pandemic, and after Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused a global reshuffling of oil and its products. Production in North Dakota fell 2.9% to 1.095 million bpd, the lowest since January. In New Mexico, output gained 1.2% to a record high 1.824 million bpd. Meanwhile, U.S. product supplied of crude and petroleum products - a proxy for demand - rose to 20.449 million bpd, the highest since November 2022, EIA data showed.

Persons: Stephanie Kelly, Scott DiSavino, Marguerita Choy Organizations: YORK, Energy, Thomson Locations: Texas, Ukraine, North Dakota, New Mexico

☆ Oil falls on weak China data, stronger U.S. dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Rowena Edwards | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Companies Saudi Arabian Oil Co FollowLONDON, May 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell by over 2% on Wednesday on a stronger U.S. dollar and as weak data from top oil importer China raised demand fears. Further pressure came as the U.S. dollar rose to its highest in over two months, making commodities more expensive for buyers holding other currencies and weighing on oil demand. Mixed signals by major OPEC+ producers on whether or not the group will decide to further cut oil production have sparked recent volatility in oil prices. HSBC said on Wednesday that stronger oil demand from China and the West from the summer onwards will bring about a supply deficit in the second half of the year. Separately, U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were seen falling last week, while distillate inventories likely increased, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Tuesday.

Persons: Brent, Brent's, Stephen Brennock, Rowena Edwards, Trixie Yap, Stephanie Kelly, Yuka Obayashi, Mark Potter, David Evans Organizations: Saudi Arabian Oil, . West Texas, U.S, Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, HSBC, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Russia, London, Singapore, New York, Tokyo

SummarySummary Companies China May PMI contracts more than expectedUS debt ceiling bill comes up for vote on WednesdaySaudi Arabia may cut July crude price - Reuters pollMay 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices extended losses early on Wednesday as worries of slowing demand from top oil importer China after the release of weaker-than-expected economic data outweighed some positive progress on the U.S. debt ceiling bill. If passed, the Biden administration would not likely need to negotiate the debt ceiling again before the November 2024 presidential election, Dhar said. Traders were uncertain about whether the group would increase output cuts as a slump in prices weighs on the market. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman last week warned short sellers betting oil prices would fall to "watch out" in a possible signal that OPEC+ may cut output. However, comments from Russian oil officials and sources, including Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, indicate the world's third-largest oil producer is leaning toward leaving output unchanged.

Persons: Brent's, Vivek Dhar, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Biden, Dhar, Abdulaziz bin Salman, Alexander Novak, Stephanie Kelly, Trixie Yap, Himani Sarkar, Jamie Freed Organizations: PMI, Wednesday, Reuters, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Organization of, Petroleum, Traders, Saudi Arabian Energy, Saudi Aramco, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Wednesday Saudi Arabia, China, U.S, Russia, OPEC, Asia, Saudi Arabia

May 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled lower on Wednesday, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar and weak data from top oil importer China that fed demand fears. A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for buyers holding other currencies. U.S. data showed job openings unexpectedly rose in April, pointing to persistent strength in the labor market that could push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in June. HSBC said stronger oil demand from China and the West from the summer onwards will trigger a supply deficit in the second half. U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were seen falling last week, while distillate inventories likely increased, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Tuesday.

Persons: Brent, Bob Yawger, Goldman Sachs, Stephen Brennock, Rowena Edwards, Trixie Yap, Stephanie Kelly, Yuka Obayashi, David Evans, Emelia, Lisa Shumaker, David Gregorio Our Organizations: . West Texas, Senate, Federal Reserve, Mizuho, Traders, Organization of, Petroleum, HSBC, Energy, American Petroleum Institute, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Russia, London, Singapore, New York, Tokyo

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 97 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $71.86. A stronger dollar can weigh on oil demand by making the fuel more expensive for holders of other currencies. High interest rates boost borrowing costs, which can slow the economy and reduce oil demand. The strength of April U.S. economic data in addition to optimism about the debt ceiling negotiations have strengthened market expectations of a further hike, ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday. Another factor that could reduce oil demand was a fire in Mexico at the Salina Cruz refinery owned by Mexican state oil company Pemex.

Companies Us Fuel International Inc FollowMay 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices eased on Thursday as traders warily watched for signs of progress on talks to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, after surging in the previous session on optimism over U.S. fuel demand. The U.S. dollar held near a seven-week peak on Thursday, making oil more expensive for holders of other currencies. President Joe Biden and top U.S. congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday underscored their determination to reach a deal soon to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and avoid an economically catastrophic default. Also weighing on prices was the increased possibility of another interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The strength of April U.S. economic data, in addition to optimism about the debt ceiling negotiations and the health of regional banking stocks overnight have strengthened market expectations of a further hike, ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday.

SummarySummary Companies Biden, McCarthy push forward towards deal on US debt ceilingU.S. rate hike prospect weighs on oil pricesMay 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell in early Asian trade on Thursday as traders warily watched for signs of progress on talks to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, after surging nearly 3% in the previous session on optimism over U.S. fuel demand. President Joe Biden and top U.S. congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday underscored their determination to reach a deal soon to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and avoid an economically catastrophic default. On Thursday, investors were "awaiting further evidence that a deal will happen soon," said Edward Moya, an analyst at OANDA. Also weighing on prices was the increased probability of an interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. After a months-long standoff, Biden and McCarthy on Tuesday agreed to negotiate directly.

Summary Oil prices lower after climbing nearly 3% in previous sessionUS crude stockpiles soar on SPR release - EIABiden, McCarthy push forward towards deal on US debt ceilingMay 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower on Thursday, easing on concerns over plentiful supply after surging nearly 3% during the previous session. Both benchmarks rose nearly 3% on Wednesday on optimism over oil demand and U.S. debt ceiling negotiations. Weighing on prices, U.S. oil inventories jumped unexpectedly last week due to another release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) rose by 5 million barrels in the week to May 12 to 467.6 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 900,000-barrel drop. Investors are watching developments around U.S. debt ceiling negotiations.

The revision does not affect the EIA's historical estimated crude oil production in the Permian because "operators had already submitted their crude oil production to states," the EIA said. It estimates Permian crude oil production in 2022 averaged 5.3 million barrels per day (bpd). The EIA's updated count puts its Permian shale basin DUC well count at year-end 2022 at 1,069, up from 843 wells previously. As of April, the EIA estimates 910 DUC wells in the Permian. The EIA also increased its estimate of 2022 well completions in the Permian to 5,704 wells from 5,328 wells completed.

SPR stocks drew for a seventh week in a row, falling by 2.4 million last week to 359.59 million barrels, their lowest since September 1983, due to last year's congressionally mandated release. Inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub for U.S. crude futures (USOICC=ECI) rose by 1.5 million barrels last week, the EIA said. Brent and U.S. crude futures were trading just over 0.2% higher at $75.11 per barrel and $71.05 per barrel, respectively, by 10:39 a.m. Gasoline stocks (USOILG=ECI) fell by 1.4 million barrels in the week to 218.3 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with analysts' forecasts for a 1.1 million-barrel drop. U.S. crude oil imports rose 24% to 6.9 million barrels, while exports also climbed nearly 50% to 4.3 millions barrels.

NEW YORK, May 17 (Reuters) - Shell Plc (SHEL.L) will use AI-based technology from big-data analytics firm SparkCognition in its deep sea exploration and production to boost offshore oil output, the companies said on Wednesday. SparkCognition's AI algorithms will process and analyze large amounts of seismic data in the hunt for new oil reservoirs by Shell, the largest oil producer in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. "We are committed to finding new and innovative ways to reinvent our exploration ways of working," Gabriel Guerra, Shell's vice president of innovation and performance, said in a statement. "Generative AI for seismic imaging can positively disrupt the exploration process and has broad and far-reaching implications," said Bruce Porter, chief science officer for Austin, Texas-based SparkCognition. The technology would generate subsurface images using fewer seismic data scans than usual, helping with deep sea preservation, the companies said.

However, an 18.9% year-on-year rise in China's oil refinery throughput in April to the second-highest level on record helped to keep a floor under crude prices. The IEA raised its forecast for global oil demand this year by 200,000 bpd to a record 102 million bpd. It said China's recovery after the lifting of COVID-19 curbs had surpassed expectations, with demand reaching a record 16 million bpd in March. In another bullish development, the U.S. Department of Energy on Monday said it would buy 3 million barrels of crude oil for delivery in August in a move to begin refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Meanwhile, U.S. commercial crude stocks fell by about 1.3 million barrels last week, according to analysts polled by Reuters.

U.S. consumer prices rose in April, potentially raising the likelihood that the Fed will maintain higher interest rates. Rising global interest rates have weighed on oil prices in recent months, with traders concerned about recession. The surprising U.S. crude inventory build, along with lower crude imports and April's softer export growth in China exacerbated worries about global oil demand. The decline in crude prices was, however, limited by a surge in U.S. gasoline demand ahead of the summer driving season. "We are forecasting that oil prices range from $75-95 during 2023 based on fundamental supply and demand and that oil will rally as we head into the summer driving season," Hatfield said.

In a possible sign of weakening demand, U.S. crude inventories rose by about 3 million barrels in the week ended May 5, the Energy Information Administration said. The surprising U.S. inventory build along with lower crude imports and April's softer export growth in China exacerbated worries about global oil demand. Rising global interest rates have stirred fears of an impending recession, putting more pressure on oil prices. However, a large draw in U.S. gasoline and distillate inventories provided some support for oil prices on Wednesday. "Further action by (OPEC+) or calmer conditions in U.S. banks could see oil prices bounce back once more."

☆ Oil falls on surprise increase to U.S. inventories
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Noah Browning | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Summary U.S. consumer price index figures for April due on WednesdayComing up: EIA data on U.S. oil inventories at 10:30 a.m. EDTMay 10 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday, ending a three-day rally as an unexpected rise in U.S. oil inventories sparked demand concerns and investors awaited inflation data for a steer on U.S. interest rates. U.S. government data on oil inventories is due on Wednesday. The surprising U.S. inventory build along with lower crude imports and April's softer export growth in China exacerbated worries about global oil demand. "Crude futures were unwinding Tuesday’s modest gains early Wednesday as economic worries occupied centre stage, especially over the world’s two largest economies," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. OPEC and its allies, together known as OPEC+, agreed last month to cut production by 1.16 million barrels per day (bpd) from May through to the end of the year.

The data defied expectations from eight analysts polled by Reuters for a 900,000-barrel drawdown in crude inventories and a 1.2 million-barrel drop in gasoline stocks. U.S. government data on oil inventories is due on Wednesday. Media reported that Russia's Energy Ministry said the nation's oil output reduction almost reached targeted levels in April. Saudi Arabia, which pledged to cut production by 500,000 bpd from May, has informed buyers in Asia that it will supply full crude oil volumes requested for June. The wildfires forced oil and gas producers to shut in at least 319,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), or 3.7% of the country's production.

Brent crude dropped 16 cents to $77.28 a barrel at 0008 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dipped 20 cents to $73.51, paring gains from the previous session. In a possible sign of weakening demand, U.S. crude inventories rose by about 3.6 million barrels in the week ended May 5, while gasoline stockpiles rose by 399,000 barrels, the American Petroleum Institute reported on Tuesday according to market sources. The data defied expectations from eight analysts polled by Reuters for a 900,000-barrel drawdown in crude inventories and a 1.2 million-barrel drop in gasoline stocks. U.S. government data on oil inventories is due on Wednesday. The wildfires forced oil and gas producers to shut in at least 319,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), or 3.7% of the country's production.

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