Markets

The oil cartel is deliberately increasing oil production not to trigger a price war but to meet rising seasonal demand in the Middle East and to accommodate a planned expansion of 2.1MM b/d by Dec. 2026.

The differential for CPC Blend crude has fallen to a five-week low on May 22, with June-loading cargoes struggling to find buyers.

South Africa has launched the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), a new state-owned oil enterprise formed from the merger of PetroSA, iGas, and the Strategic Fuel Fund.

Goldman Sachs analysts suggest that OPEC+ is likely to pause further oil production increases after a final 411K b/d hike in Jul., anticipating that deteriorating global economic conditions will prompt this reassessment.

The week of May 12, witnessed a dynamic period for crude oil prices, heavily influenced by shifting trade relations between the US and China, evolving prospects of an Iranian nuclear deal, and concerns surrounding global supply and demand.

There are divergent views on oil demand growth amidst OPEC+ supply adjustments and non-OPEC+ production forecast revisions.

Asia, the world's leading crude oil import region, could benefit from the recent drop in oil prices to the low $60s/b, as lower import costs are driving higher import volumes in major economies.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak expressed optimism about Russia's potential to sustainably increase its oil production to 10.8MM b/d in the near future, citing growing global demand, domestic investment, and tax changes.

The US shale industry finds itself squeezed

The oil market experienced a week of considerable turbulence, characterized by a sharp initial decline followed by a gradual recovery.