Oil prices dwindle further over slack U.S demand, Bonny Light up by $0.59

Oil prices dipped for the third straight day Friday, setting in motion its first weekly loss in two fortnights and a week, as U.S. stock statistics revealed a worrisomely low fuel demand in the world’s biggest economy and deteriorating U.S.-China relations heaped the pressure on global financial systems.

Brent crude futures depressed by 43 cents or 1.2% to $34.86 per barrel by 07:43 West African Time.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), its U.S. counterpart benchmark, was 57 cents or 1.7% down, trading a $33.14 per barrel.

In a surprise twist on Thursday, Nigeria’s banner oil grade – Bonny Light – bucked the general market downward trend to post a gain of $0.59 or 1.77% to reach $33.87.

“The rally needs a breather. It has been four weeks of gains and the market needs to buy time for downstream prices to catch up.

“Beyond the short term, the bullish momentum still looks rather intact,” Howie Lee, economist at Singapore’s OCBC Bank told Reuters.

Read also: Oil prices fall, as U.S. crude storage surges, Bonny Light now $33.28

Pundits say Brent and WTI are on course for their biggest monthly appreciation in several years on the back of production cuts and hopes of demand rebound especially in China, which has strengthened prices.

It is probable that WTI will advance by 76% for May, its record monthly gain, while Brent has amassed 38% in value, the biggest monthly gain in over twenty one years.

Statistics from the Energy Information Administration on Thursday demonstrated U.S. crude oil and distillate stockpiles as increasing steeply last week.

Demand for fuel remained weak as many states remove the travel curbs they had imposed to contain coronavirus spread, analysts said.

Investors will have their eyes on the outcome of the conference on production cuts between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies called OPEC+ come the second week of June.

Saudi and other OPEC nations are mooting the extension of historic production cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day beyond June, which demands Russia’s approval to succeed.

 

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