The premiums for U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude have soared in the spot market to a record high of between $30 and $40 per barrel above key regional benchmarks as Asia and Europe scramble for supply amid the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil edged lower as traders deciphered contradictory messaging surrounding a diplomatic push by the US to end the war with Iran.
Oil prices fell sharply in early asian trade on Wednesday, with both major benchmarks dropping more than 5% as traders reacted to signs of potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict as well as a crude inventory build in the U.S.
Oil prices fell sharply, posting one of the largest intraday swings on record, after President Donald Trump said discussions to end the Iran conflict were underway, though Tehran denied any talks.
Brent crude is seen averaging $85 per barrel this year, and West Texas Intermediate could see an average price of $79, Goldman Sachs commodity analysts said in a note released Sunday. They added that the supply loss from the crisis is going to peak at 17 million barrels daily.
Oil prices surged sharply on Wednesday as the Iran conflict continued to disrupt flows through the Persian Gulf, with the global benchmark pulling decisively away from U.S. crude as the Brent-WTI spread widened to roughly $10 per barrel, signaling mounting stress in seaborne supply markets.
Oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday even after the International Energy Agency announced the largest coordinated release of strategic oil reserves in its history, underscoring the scale of supply concerns stemming from escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Goldman Sachs has once again revised its oil price outlook, now expecting Brent crude to trade at $71 per barrel in the final quarter of the year, and WTI to average $67 per barrel over the same period, Reuters reported, citing the bank’s analysts.
Refiners are beginning to balk at eye-watering premiums on available oil barrels, threatening to slow down the flow of the world’s most traded commodity as the war in the Middle East upends energy markets. Markups of as much as $40 a barrel above benchmarks in the Middle East, $13 in Brazil and $10 in Azerbaijan […]
Oil markets are bracing for an even bigger potential price shock with Iran on Wednesday warning that crude could surge to $200 per barrel if the war involving the U.S. and Israel continues to destabilize the Middle East’s energy corridors.