Oil prices fell about 1 per cent on Monday as Iraq’s production rose and Iran said it would only cooperate in producer talks to freeze output if fellow exporters recognised its right to fully regain market share.

International Brent crude oil futures were trading at $49.40 per barrel at 0145 GMT, down 52 cents, or 1.0 per cent, from their previous close.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 58 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $47.06 a barrel.

Traders said the price falls were a result of climbing output from West Asia, where oil exports from Iraq’s southern ports have averaged 3.205 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, exceeding the average level seen in July, according to two officials from state-run South Oil Company.

Exports in July averaged 3.202 million bpd.

Producer talks

Iran had said late last week that it would only cooperate in upcoming producer talks in September if other exporters recognised Tehran’s right to regain market share lost during international sanctions that were only lifted in January.

Analysts said disagreements within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and especially its key members Saudi Arabia and Iran, meant few expected a significant impact on global output from the talks.

“The market is increasingly likely to discount the outcome of the event, given, even in the instance of a freeze being agreed, compliance will be an issue,” Barclays said.

Reuters commodity market analyst Wang Tao said that short-term technical indicators were also bearish, and that a drop to $48.52 per barrel was possible.

“Brent oil is expected to approach a support at $48.52 per barrel again, as its correction from the Aug. 19 high of $51.22 has not completed,” he said.

Despite this, the Barclays said that it saw “incoming oil market data (both demand and supply) as a source for price strength in Q4’’.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW