Crude oil inventories at Cushing have dropped to their lowest level for this time of year in over a decade.
The depleting stocks at Cushing and the bearish sentiment on the oil market, especially the recent more negative positioning in WTI Crude, could lead to high prices in the near term.
In the three weeks to January 19, inventories at Cushing fell by more than 5 million barrels.
U.S. crude can’t compete now in Asia because freight rates have made it too expensive.
Due to the higher freight costs, WTI Crude is now $1 a barrel more expensive than Abu Dhabi’s Murban, versus small discounts or parity in prices last week.
For example, India is looking to buy more term supplies from Saudi Arabia and from West African producers as the world’s third-largest crude oil importer is always on the hunt for bargains for its crude supply.
Traders, this week, focused on rising U.S. crude oil inventories, record American oil production, weaker Chinese refinery and economic data.