Oil extends losses after gloomier outlooks from OPEC, IEA

Reuters Updated - February 12, 2021 at 08:52 AM.

According to OPEC, the global oil demand is likely to recover more slowly than earlier thought.

(FILES) This June 24, 2015 file photo shows pumping Jacks at the Chevron section of the Kern River Oil Field near Bakersfield, California. US crude oil closed nearly nine percent higher August 31, 2015 as the government lowered its domestic crude production estimate and OPEC signaled concern about multi-year low prices. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery jumped $3.98 (8.8 percent) to $49.20 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It had rebounded more than 11 percent over the five previous sessions, its biggest increase in four and a half years. AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON / FILES

Oil prices fell a second day on Friday, extending losses after OPEC cut its demand forecast and the International Energy Agency said the market was still over-supplied.

Brent crude was down 34 cents, or 0.6% at $60.80 a barrel by 0102 GMT, having dropped half a percent the previous session. U.S. oil was down 36 cents, or 0.6% at $57.88 a barrel, after falling by 0.8% on Thursday.

Both benchmarks closed on Wednesday at their highest levels since January 2020 after a nearly record-setting run of consecutive daily gains.

Oil prices have risen over the last few weeks as OPEC and other producers in the group known as OPEC+ cut production,while Saudi Arabia also promised unilateral reductions in output that started this month.

"There are some signs that the market is setting up for a pullback," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho Securities.

U.S. crude's relative strength index was at the most overbought level since the second Iraq war, Yawger noted.

Oil demand around the world in 2021 will recover more slowly than earlier thought, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said.

Previously, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said oilsupply was still outstripping demand globally, although Covid-19 vaccines are expected to help demand recover.

U.S. crude inventories dropped unexpectedly last week,declining by more than 6 million barrels as refiners increased output to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a rise of nearly 1million barrels.

Still, gasoline inventories increased more than expected,gaining by 4.3 million barrels in the last week, against forecasts of a 1.8 million rise.

Gasoline demand over the last four weeks is 10% below the same time last year.

Published on February 12, 2021 03:22