Many observers have argued that China’s concerted electrification push and the diversification into LNG-powered trucks would kill a lot of oil demand. Indeed, consumption data suggests there has been an impact. Yet a new refinery just started operating in China a few months ago, and more recently, its second unit started up, adding a fresh 400,000 bpd to the country’s total capacity. It seems demand is not quite dead yet and will not be for some time—especially for those who make their refineries petrochemical complexes, too.
Brent crude futures for September had fallen US$1.81 to US$105.29 a barrel by 0633 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for August delivery was at US$102.14 a barrel
Oil prices fell on Friday as investors worried that weakening global economic growth and tighter central bank monetary policy could curb a recovery in fuel demand.