CORRECTED: Oil prices ease over uncertain supply picture

Image
Reuters
Last Updated : Mar 15 2016 | 7:58 PM IST

(Corrects to show Iran output up from January level of 2.9 mln bpd, paragraph 7)

By Amanda Cooper

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell for a second day on Tuesday, as concerns emerged that a six-week rally may have fizzled after OPEC doused hopes for a speedy erosion of a global overhang of unwanted crude.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said on Monday demand for its crude would be less than previously thought in 2016 as supply from rivals proves more resilient to low prices, increasing excess supply in the market.

To tackle the surplus, Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC member Russia, the world's two largest oil exporters, along with Qatar and Venezuela have proposed major producers freeze output at January levels.

Even with the proposed freeze, continuously high production means global output still exceeds demand by at least 1 million barrels per day (bpd).

"We ran into $40 a barrel ... the idea OPEC was going to be able to at least freeze production and was along the right tracks has unravelled a bit," CMC Markets strategist Jasper Lawler said.

Brent crude futures were down 92 cents at $38.61 a barrel by 1210 GMT, while U.S. crude futures were 83 cents lower at $36.35.

While Russian and Saudi production remains stable, analysts say Iran has raised output to around 3.1 million bpd from about 2.9 million bpd in January.

Oil demand could also slow. Morgan Stanley said there was a 30 percent probability of a global recession this year.

In spite of uncertainty about whether a production freeze will occur, and over its effectiveness given concerns about the global economy, investors have turned more friendly towards oil.

Speculators have added to their bets on a sustained rise in crude futures and the ratio of bullish bets to bearish in the Brent market has risen to its highest since last May, consultancy JBC Energy said.

"I'd be very surprised if we just tanked down here and made fresh lows below $27 and the impression I get is I'm not the only one. Futures sentiment ... and futures positioning has switched around and is looking a lot more bullish," CMC's Lawler said.

(Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick and Henning Gloystein; Editing by Dale Hudson and Susan Thomas)

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 15 2016 | 7:52 PM IST

Next Story