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Washington in mid-October issued a general license lifting through April sanctions on the country's oil production and exports. POLICY SHIFTThe U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry to try to oust President Nicolas Maduro, whose 2018 re-election it considers a sham. In the last three weeks, PDVSA has signed new term deals to sell products, including fuel oil and asphalt cement with little known firms. LINING UPShortly after sanctions were eased last month, Trafigura chartered a vessel to pick up a fuel oil cargo at a Venezuelan port. The firm that won the offer is Romania-registered Ke Lo Ke Mgmt, PDVSA documents seen by Reuters showed.

Persons: Marco Bello, Nicolas Maduro's, PDVSA, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Trafigura, Lo, Ke Lo Ke, Gunvor, Marianna Parraga, Gary McWilliams, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Gunvor, Reuters, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Puerto Cabello, Carabobo, HOUSTON, Washington, U.S, Venezuela, PDVSA, Venezuelan, Romania

☆ Russian oil shaves India's import costs by about $2.7 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Nidhi Verma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Crude oil accounts for about a third of India's overall imports by value. Access to cheap Russian oil enabled India to cut imports from the Middle East, where prices strengthened following Saudi Arabia's voluntary additional supply cuts since July. India imported 69.06 million metric tons of Russian oil, equivalent to 1.85 million barrels per day (bpd), between January and September, commerce ministry data showed, including Russian oil imported from South Korea, Greece and Spain through transshipments. The average price for Russian oil delivered to Indian refiners was $525.60 per ton during that period, including shipping and insurance costs, Reuters calculations based on ministry data showed. Discounted Russian oil cuts India's crude import billIndia saved at least $2 billion in buying discounted Russian oilBy importing Russian oil, Indian refiners benefit from lower feedstock costs, which have buoyed gross refining margins and curtailed revenue loss from subsidised retail fuel sales.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, India doesn't, Nidhi Verma, Florence Tan, Tony Munroe, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Thomson Locations: DELHI, India, Europe, Moscow, Ukraine, South Korea, Greece, Spain, transshipments, Russia, Saudi, Sokol, China

REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped by 1% on Tuesday, erasing most of Monday's gains, as mixed economic data from the world's second largest oil consumer China and winter demand worries offset the impact of Saudi Arabia and Russia extending output cuts. Both benchmarks gained about 30 cents on Monday after top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to extra voluntary oil supply cuts until the end of the year. Expectations of crude run reductions by China-based refiners between November and December may limit oil demand and exacerbate price declines. Looking ahead on the supply side, markets are waiting to see how long Saudi Arabia and Russia are ready to rein in production. Moscow also announced it would continue its additional voluntary supply cut of 300,000 bpd from its crude oil and petroleum product exports until the end of December.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Leon Li, Kelvin Wong, Trixie Yap, Yuka Obayashi, Jamie Freed, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Markets, ING, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Shanghai, OPEC, Moscow, Singapore, Tokyo

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia made two recent decisions that on the surface seem to indicate a steady crude oil market outlook but may point to a ticking up in concern over the state of demand. It's also likely that softer demand for refined products in Asia amid economic uncertainty led to Aramco's decision to keep the Arab Light OSP unchanged. The extension of the additional 1 million bpd cut is perhaps a tacit admission that crude oil demand isn't as strong as OPEC has been expecting. Asia's crude imports showed some resilience in October, rising to 27.36 million bpd from 26.60 million bpd in September, according to data compiled by LSEG. China, the world's biggest importer, saw arrivals of 11.90 million bpd in October, up from September's 11.18 million bpd, but both these months were down on August's 12.49 million bpd.

Persons: It's, Brent, Robert Birsel Organizations: Saudi Aramco, refiners, Aramco, Brent, West Texas Intermediate, OPEC, LSEG, world's, Saudi, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Oman, Dubai, Asia, Singapore, Israel, Gaza, Atlantic, refiners, China, Russia

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Saudi Arabia and Russia supply cuts to remain until year-endChina's refinery throughput slows from record levelsEuro zone recession fears amplified by PMI dataHOUSTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Monday after top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to extra voluntary oil supply cuts until the end of the year. Russia also announced it would continue its additional voluntary cut of 300,000 bpd from its crude oil and petroleum product exports until the end of December. Oil prices rebounded after both benchmarks lost about 6% in the week to Nov. 3, as supply concerns driven by Middle East tensions eased. A weaker dollar also helped oil prices. Lower borrowing cost is likely to boost spending and demand for crude oil.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, John Kilduff, Giovanni Staunovo, Huw Pill, Robert Harvey, Florence Tan, Colleen Howe, Deepa Babington, Mark Potter, Christina Fincher, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, PMI, HOUSTON, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Saudi, Investors, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Russia, New York, OPEC, Gaza, U.S, China, Europe

A view shows the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia August 12, 2022. Oil's rally comes along with gains across financial assets after the Fed maintained its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.25%-5.50% at its latest meeting on Wednesday. Iran, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), produced around 2.5 million barrels per day of crude in 2022, according to U.S. energy data. Data from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that the country's crude stocks increased as refiners undergoing seasonal maintenance restarted units more slowly than expected. But despite lower refining runs, U.S. gasoline stocks (USOILG=ECI) rose by 0.1 million barrels in the week to 223.5 million barrels, the EIA said.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Jon Maier, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Stephanie Kelly, Muyu Xu, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Oil, U.S . Federal Reserve, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Fed, Global, Iran's, Organization of, Petroleum, Bank of England, European Central Bank, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Europe, U.S

☆ These companies are slashing earnings estimates, but the market may have sniffed that out already
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The S & P 500 was expected to see an earnings gain of 11% for the fourth quarter on Oct. 1, and that expectation is now down to 7.8%. "We're seeing larger estimate cuts than average for S & P 500 companies through the first month of the fourth quarter," John Butters at FactSet said. Roughly 60 companies in the S & P 500 have disclosed declines of 10% or more in their earnings expectations in the month of October, according to LSEG. Earnings revisions: Notable declines in airlines and cruise lines Here are some of the S & P 500 companies that have seen earnings estimates decline 10% or more since the start of the fourth quarter, according to LSEG. The markets have sniffed this out: What's next The stock market, of course, does not wait for analysts to cut earnings estimates.

Persons: John Butters, FactSet, Nick Raich, Refiners Valero, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Alec Young Organizations: Boeing, . Airlines, Companies, Cruise Lines American Airlines, Cruise Line, Alaska Air Group, Southwest Airlines, Airlines, Delta, Entertainment Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Global, Fox, MGM Resorts, Ford, Motors, Pfizer, Merck, Petroleum, Phillips, Seagate, Texas, Banks, Capital Markets, Blackstone, Intel, JETS, Energy, Pharmaceuticals

☆ Argentina fuel firms aim to normalize supply after disruptions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oil pump jacks are seen at the Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposit in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina, January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Argentina's oil refiners and producers aim to normalize supplies of motor fuels across the South American country, companies in the sector said on Tuesday, following recent disruptions to gasoline and diesel sales. Scarce supplies have forced many motorists to wait in long lines to fill up gas tanks, with some service stations rationing how much individuals could buy. A fleet of more than 4,000 trucks have increased available fuel supplies by between 10-15%, with fuel supplies also benefiting from the arrival of five tanker ships with another two on the way, according to the statement from the biggest refiners and oil producers. Also on Tuesday, the main oil workers union at Vaca Muerta, Argentina's sprawling shale oil and gas formation, said it would for now suspend a strike that had been called for Wednesday.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Vaca Muerta, Walter Bianchi, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, YPF, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, American

SINGAPORE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - At least three Chinese companies including state giant China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) are evaluating Shell's Singapore assets and considering non-binding bids in coming weeks for the city-state's oldest refinery, according to several sources familiar with the matter. CNOOC, the parent of offshore oil and gas major CNOOC Ltd , operates a joint refining-petrochemical complex with Shell in southern China. However, Sinopec Corp's president said in late August it was not interested in the Shell assets. Two of the sources said Shell had set a preliminary Nov. 5 deadline for proposals, although that could be extended. A Wanhua spokesperson said he was not aware of the company's potential interest in the Shell assets.

Persons: Shell, Goldman Sachs, CNOOC, Sinopec, Rongsheng, Eversun, Salmon Lee, Chen Aizhu, Trixie Yap, Tony Munroe, Florence Tan, Kim Coghill Organizations: Offshore Oil Company, Singapore, Reuters, Eversun Holdings, Wanhua, Shell, Hengli Petrochemical, China National Petroleum Corp, Privately, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, state's, Singapore, Bukom, Jurong, PetroChina, Huizhou, Guangdong, Fujian province, Putian, Shandong province, Asia, Southeast Asia

☆ Valero tops profit estimates in strong start to U.S. refiner earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Arunima Kumar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo for Valero Energy Corporation is shown at a Valero gas station in Encinitas, California, U.S., May 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Valero Energy Corp FollowOct 26 (Reuters) - Refiner Valero Energy (VLO.N) beat analysts' estimates for third-quarter profit on Thursday, powered by sustained fuel and refined products demand against the backdrop of tight supplies. For the current quarter, Valero expects refining throughput between 2.93 million and 3.04 million bpd. The Diamond Green Diesel Port Arthur plant, which started up in the fourth quarter of 2022, boosted the sales volumes, Valero said. The 3-2-1 crack spread, a proxy for refining margins, fell around 35% during the July-September quarter.

Persons: Mike Blake, Lane Riggs, Valero, refiners, TD Cowen, Jason Gabelman, Arunima Kumar, Sriraj Organizations: Valero Energy Corporation, REUTERS, Companies Valero Energy Corp, Refiner Valero Energy, Valero, Green Diesel, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Valero, Encinitas , California, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Green Diesel Port Arthur, U.S . East Coast, San Antonio , Texas, Bengaluru

The decision by Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend the voluntary cuts drove up oil prices to over $90 a barrel in late September. Saudi crude exports to China rose to nearly 1.6 million bpd in September, up from 1.2 million bpd in August and 1.37 million bpd in July, Kpler data showed. U.S. CRUDE EXPORTS FALLAs the U.S. sees less crude imports, it has exported less oil to Europe. U.S. crude exports to Europe fell to 1.86 million bpd in September and 1.84 million bpd in August, from 2.01 million bpd in July, Kpler data showed. Tight supply led the premium for front-month Brent crude futures to rise to as much as $3.26 a barrel above the second month , the highest since 2022.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Matt Smith, Smith, refiners, Vortexa's Rohit Rathod, Adi Imsirovic, Brent, Stephanie Kelly, Alex Lawler, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Port, REUTERS, Brent, Organization of, Petroleum, Total U.S, Americas, Kpler, West, Surrey Clean Energy, CSIS, Midland, P, Insights, Thomson Locations: Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Russia, Nigeria, Algeria, Saudi, China, Richmond , California, Los Angeles, Midland, Brent

A pump jack drills oil crude from the Yates Oilfield in West Texas’s Permian Basin, near Iraan, Texas, U.S., March 17, 2023. Gasoline stocks (USOILG=ECI) rose by about 160,000 barrels in the week to 223.5 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with expectations for a 900,000-barrel drop. "It will reverse the gasoline crack," Yawger said, referring to the profit oil refiners can make producing gasoline from crude. U.S. crude futures last traded at just over $83 per barrel, while Brent crude futures was around $87.50 a barrel. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub (USOICC=ECI) rose by 213,000 barrels in the last week, EIA said.

Persons: Bing Guan, Bob Yawger, Yawger, Stephanie Kelly, Laura Sanicola, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Information Administration, EIA, Mizuho, Brent, Cushing, Net, Thomson Locations: West, Iraan , Texas, U.S, Oklahoma

Cutouts depicting images of oil operations are seen outside a building of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in Caracas, Venezuela January 28, 2019. U.S. sanctions that were in place on Venezuela since 2019 largely blocked state-run oil company PDVSA from exporting to its chosen markets. That changed last week, but Washington's six-month relaxation of the measures is too limited to spur new crude production. PDVSA also is in talks with Mercuria Energy and Sahara Energy on spot sales, the sources said. The Italian company and Spain's Repsol (REP.MC) have been in negotiations with PDVSA for months to expand gas output in Venezuela.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Trafigura, PDVSA, Pedro Tellechea, Tipco, Spain's, Eni, Maurel, prepay, Marianna Parraga, Laura Sanicola Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Global, PDVSA, Bermuda, Mercuria Energy, Sahara Energy, U.S ., Reliance Industries, Valero Energy, PBF Energy, Eni, Valero, Reliance, U.S . Treasury Department, Traders, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, U.S, Venezuela's, Sahara, PDVSA's, Houston, Washington

Refiners also called on stockpiles in July, though, when refinery processing exceeded the total volume of available crude by 510,000 bpd. The inventory draws in September and July came as China's refiners boosted throughput to meet rising domestic demand and higher fuel exports. As well, a strong rally in global oil prices has lowered the incentive to keep crude imports at elevated levels. China total available crude vs refinery throughputIMPORTS DROPPING? China's crude imports were 11.13 million bpd in September, down 10.5% from August's 12.4 million bpd, according to customs data.

Persons: Refiners, China's, China doesn't, It's, LSEG, Tom Hogue Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Benchmark Brent, United, United Arab Emirates, Diesel, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, China, It's, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Asia

The auction could start a new chapter for the 113-year-old company, which has been owned by Venezuela for almost 40 years. Washington and Venezuela's political opposition wanted Citgo to anchor the country's economic future under a democratically elected government. The sale could become the biggest court auction ever held. Motiva, Valero and Citgo's ultimate parent, Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, did not reply to requests for comment. "Citgo will be strategic for Venezuela in the next 20-25 years, not only as a refining company, but with an expanded role," director Medina said.

Persons: Biden, Citgo, Nicolas Maduro's, Matthew Blair, Tudor, Blair, Jose Ignacio Hernandez, Leonard Stark, PDVSA, PDV, Juan Guaido, Natalie Shkolnik, Wilk Auslander, Nicolas Maduro, Stark, Evercore, Conoco, Horacio Medina, Carlos Jorda, Medina, Hernandez, Marianna Parraga, Erwin Seba, Gary McWilliams, Anna Driver Organizations: U.S . State Department, Reuters, Marathon Petroleum, Motiva Enterprises, Valero Energy, Koch Industries, Valero, U.S . Treasury, Holt, U.S, Crystallex International, PDVSA, National Assembly, Citgo, PDV, Supreme, Evercore, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Exxon, U.S . Treasury Department's, Foreign Assets Control, Thomson Locations: United States, Petroleum, U.S, Houston, Venezuela, Washington, Saudi, Pickering, Citgo, Delaware, Caracas

☆ Russia makes up 40% of Indian oil imports, dents OPEC's share
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Nidhi Verma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russia was the top oil supplier to India in April to September, followed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. India's imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia fell by 12% and about 23% to 928,000 bpd and 607,500 bpd, respectively, during the April-September period, the data showed. Imports from the Middle East in April-September declined by about 28% to 1.97 million bpd, dragging down the region's share in India's overall oil imports to 44% from 60% during the same year-ago period. India's oil imports from various regionsLower purchases from the Middle East dragged down the share of OPEC in India's overall imports to the lowest in 22 years. India's oil imports Opec's share of India's oil imports drop to record lowReporting by Nidhi Verma; editing by Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nidhi Verma, Miral Organizations: Saudi, Imports, Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: DELHI, India, Moscow, Ukraine, Middle, Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, East, Africa

☆ Oil climbs on Mideast contagion fears from Israel-Gaza conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices extended gains on Friday, rising about 1% on fears that the Israel-Gaza conflict may spread in the Middle East and disrupt supplies from one of the world's top-producing regions. Brent crude futures climbed 77 cents, or 0.8%, to $93.15 a barrel by 0042 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $90.36 a barrel, up 99 cents, or 1.1%. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told troops gathered at the Gaza border on Thursday that they would soon see the Palestinian enclave "from inside," suggesting an expected ground invasion could be nearing. Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA has begun contacting customers with crude supply contracts, two people familiar to the matter said on Thursday, moving to resume cash sales to global refiners.

Persons: CLc2, Tony Sycamore, Yoav Gallant, Sycamore, PDVSA Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Israel Defence Forces, Israeli, U.S, Pentagon, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, U.S . Department of Energy, Reuters Locations: Israel, Gaza, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Washington, Venezuela, OPEC, Venezuelan

A state oil company PDVSA's logo is seen at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela May 17, 2019. The U.S. on Wednesday lifted most restrictions on Venezuela for six months for producing, selling and exporting oil to its chosen markets. But it is not expected to significantly boost Venezuela's deteriorated oil production or immediately lead to stronger exports. Venezuela can now receive direct payments for goods or services under the license issued by OFAC, which oversees American sanctions. PDVSA and Venezuela's oil ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Persons: Ivan Alvarado, PDVSA, Washington, Pedro Tellechea, Francisco Monaldi, Rice, Nicolas Maduro's, Monaldi, Maduro, Spain's, Joe Biden's, Marianna Parraga, Will Dunham, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Treasury's, Foreign Assets, Oil, OFAC, Washington, Chevron, Baker Institute, Venezuelan, Citgo Petroleum, Valero Energy, PBF Energy, India's Reliance Industries, Nayara Energy, Eni, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Venezuelan, U.S, Asia, PDVSA, United States, American, CHINA, EUROPE, China, India, PetroChina, Houston, Maduro, Washington

REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. oil refiners have cranked up output of diesel, heating oil and jet fuel for winter but are struggling to turn a profit because gasoline margins have fallen over 80% since the summer driving season ended. Refiners, which typically produce more distillates such as diesel and heating oil in autumn, are trying to rebuild inventories of these fuels that are near seasonal record lows. While fuel makers focus on maximizing distillate output, they inevitably produce gasoline as well. Meanwhile, Russia's short-lived diesel export ban, along with less refinery capacity and Western sanctions on Russian diesel, have hit diesel inventories and tightened supplies. Shortages have kept the U.S. heating oil crack at near $44 a barrel, nearly twice the seasonal average.

Persons: Bing Guan, fuelmakers, RIN, Laura Sanicola, Stephanie Kelly, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Rights, Diesel, AAA, U.S ., U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Singapore, U.S . East

☆ From Russia to the Middle East: Why China can’t afford another big conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Now, as Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas threatens to spiral into a broader conflict that could shatter stability in the Middle East, China has called for a ceasefire while criticizing Israel’s actions. It also highlights China’s deep economic interests in both Russia and the Middle East, which it wants to safeguard at all cost. The world’s second largest economy depends on Russia and the Middle East for much of its energy needs. The Middle East is also a cornerstone in the Belt and Road Initiative. “Regional conflagration means long instability and long instability means no business for China in the Middle East,” he added.

Persons: ”, Eswar Prasad, refiners, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sergei Guneyev, Russia’s, Putin, Russia —, Wang Yi, Jean, Loup Samaan, Joe Biden, QatarEnergy, Ahmed Aboudouh, Antony Blinken, Blinken, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Moscow, Palestinian, Cornell University, Getty, Initiative, Shanghai’s Fudan University, United, China’s, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Wednesday, Jihad, Energy, China Petroleum & Chemical Co, Sinopec, Fudan University, Chatham House, US Department of State Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Beijing, Ukraine, East, Palestine, Israel, United States, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Saudi Arabia, Russian, AFP, Pakistan, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Gaza, Qatar, China’s, Qatari, London, “, Persian, ”

A state oil company PDVSA's logo is seen at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela May 17, 2019. The United States on Wednesday lifted for six months most restrictions on Venezuela for producing, selling and exporting oil to its chosen markets. Not all sanctions on PDVSA were lifted by the United States. Before sanctions, India and the United States were other top destinations. PDVSA and Venezuela's oil ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Persons: Ivan Alvarado, PDVSA, Francisco Monaldi, Rice, Nicolas Maduro's, Monaldi, Maduro, Spain's, Joe Biden's, Marianna Parraga, Will Dunham Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Treasury's, Foreign Assets Control, Washington, Chevron, Baker Institute, Venezuelan, Citgo Petroleum, Valero Energy, PBF Energy, India's Reliance Industries, Nayara Energy, Italy's Eni, United, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Venezuelan, United States, U.S, Asia, PDVSA, American, CHINA, EUROPE, China, India, PetroChina, Maduro, Washington

☆ Oil spikes as Middle East strife heightens supply concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, appearing to run out of space to contain a historic supply glut that has hammered prices, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. Brent crude futures were up $1.33, or about 1.5%, to $91.23 a barrel at 1231 GMT. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures were up $1.28, or roughly 1.5%, at $87.94 a barrel. "This turn of diplomatic fortunes again garners fear of conflict spread and therefore the leap in oil," said John Evans of oil broker PVM. Elsewhere in the Saudi city of Jeddah, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian urged members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to impose an oil embargo on Israel.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, Jordan, Biden, Joe Biden, John Evans, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Vivek Dhar, Harry Murphy Cruise, Natalie Grover, Arathy, Muyu Xu, Lincoln, Jason Neely, Elaine Hardcastle, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, U.S, Hamas, Iranian, of Islamic Cooperation, Reuters, Israel Hamas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, American Petroleum Institute, Golden, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Iran, Israel, OPEC, U.S, Gaza, Gaza City, Saudi, Jeddah

Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, appearing to run out of space to contain a historic supply glut that has hammered prices, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. In earlier trade, both benchmarks gained more than $2 to touch their highest levels in two weeks. Jordan then cancelled a summit it was to host with U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian and Palestinian leaders. "A long occupation looms as the scenario that pushes Brent oil futures above $US100/bbl because it raises the risk that the Israel Hamas conflict expands and potentially draws in Iran directly," Dhar said. Also supporting oil prices, U.S. crude stocks fell by about 4.4 million barrels in the week ended Oct. 13, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Jordan, Joe Biden, Biden, Vivek Dhar, Dhar, Harry Murphy Cruise, Arathy Somesekhar, Muyu Xu, Sonali Paul, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, U.S, Israel Hamas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Israel, Hamas, American Petroleum Institute, Golden, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, Iran, China

Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, appearing to run out of space to contain a historic supply glut that has hammered prices, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. Jordan then cancelled a summit it was to host with U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian and Palestinian leaders. "A long occupation looms as the scenario that pushes Brent oil futures above $US100/bbl because it raises the risk that the Israel Hamas conflict expands and potentially draws in Iran directly," Dhar said. Also supporting oil prices, U.S. crude stocks fell by about 4.4 million barrels in the week ended Oct. 13, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Interest rate hikes to curb inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Jordan, Joe Biden, Biden, Vivek Dhar, Dhar, Harry Murphy Cruise, Arathy Somesekhar, Muyu Xu, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, U.S, Israel Hamas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Israel, Hamas, American Petroleum Institute, Golden, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, Iran, China

National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) data on Monday revealed U.S. soybean oil stocks among NOPA members totaled 1.108 billion pounds as of Sept. 30. A mid-year drawdown of U.S. soyoil stocks is common, but this year’s pace is unusual. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects total domestic soybean oil use at a record 27.45 billion pounds in 2023-24, which began Oct. 1. The most actively traded Chicago soybean oil futures are at three-year lows for the date, down 20% from a year ago. Most-active CBOT soybean oil futuresRISING IMPORTSU.S. soybean oil stocks may be falling, but both the reduction in exports and influx of vegetable oil from overseas have been somewhat offsetting.

Persons: Jason Lee, Stocks, Karen Braun, Miral Organizations: Industry, Trade Co, REUTERS, Rights, Oilseed Processors, U.S . Department of Agriculture, NOPA, U.S, Higher, USDA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Qufu, Shandong province, China, Rights NAPERVILLE , Illinois, U.S, Chicago, United States, USDA

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