A push to replenish depleted oil stocks notably in China, the United States and Europe could buoy demand and prices in coming months, analysts and traders said, as tensions in the Middle East threaten key shipping lanes.
Oil prices fell in early Asian trade on Monday after Israel said it had “concluded” a series of strikes in southern Gaza, slightly easing concerns about supply from the Middle East.
il prices fell on Wednesday, pressured by lacklustre economic activity in leading crude importer China, but a first monthly gain since September remained in sight as flaring tensions in the Middle East heightened supply concerns.
China’s onshore oil inventories have fallen, signaling a potential increase in international market purchases.
Beijing’s oil consumption and reserve levels are key to global price trajectories, with moderate restocking expected due to economic struggles.
While China’s crude imports reached a record high in 2023, its strategic reserve replenishment in 2024 is expected to be cautious and focused on refinery use
China’s offshore giant CNOOC aims to raise its oil and gas output to 1.95 million b/d of oil equivalent in 2024, about 5.2% higher from its estimated output of 1.85 million boe/d last year, the state-owned company said late-Jan. 25.
LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Oil prices dipped on Monday as China’s ailing property sector took another hit while a drone attack on U.S. forces in Jordan added to supply disruption concerns in the Middle East and Houthi militants stepped up attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.
Standard Chartered: sentiment in the oil and commodity markets closely mirrors the beginning of 2023.
Oil traders fear that market surpluses will be larger in the current year than they were last year.
Traders expect the U.S. and Europe, not China, to be the main sources of demand weakness this time around.
China’s oil imports reached 11.28 million bpd in the previous year, an 11% increase from
2022, driven by strong fuel demand at home and abroad.
Domestic crude oil production in China also hit a record, totaling 208 million tons for the year, averaging 4.2 million barrels per day.
China’s substantial oil storage activities and fuel exports, particularly to Europe post-Russian embargo, highlight both domestic and international demand dynamics.
Japanese shipping operator Nippon Yusen has become the latest among dozens of shipping companies to suspend sailings through the Red Sea.
Beijing has so far remained tight-lipped about the raging war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip despite China being Israel’s second-largest trading partner.
Beijing has called for an end to attacks on civilian vessels in the Red Sea.
China achieved record-breaking crude oil and natural gas production in 2023, with unconventional gas contributing significantly to the overall figures.
Despite fluctuations in demand and some disappointment among analysts, both domestic production and imports of energy commodities reached historic highs.
While Chinese oil demand growth may slow in the future, its natural gas demand growth is likely to remain robust as it increases the use of natural gas in power generation