Audio By Carbonatix
Oil prices plunged about 5% on Monday, weakening as rising coronavirus cases stoked worries about global demand, and a potential return of Libyan production bolstered oversupply fears.
Crude oil followed other equities and commodities markets in turning risk-averse on Monday as rising Covid-19 infection rates in Europe and other countries prompted renewed lockdown measures, casting doubt over economic recovery.
“We’re seeing more depressing news on jet fuel demand,” said Gary Cunningham, director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.
“We’re looking for a much softer market. The economic picture doesn’t look as rosy as it did before.”
Brent crude LCOc1 settled down $1.71, or 3.96% at $41.44 a barrel. U.S. crude CLc1 fell $1.80, or 4.38% to $39.31 a barrel. Both contracts were set for their biggest daily drops in two weeks.
Prices pulled back amid mounting concerns that an increase in coronavirus cases could cut demand.
More than 30.78 million people have been infected by the novel coronavirus, a Reuters tally shows.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday considered a second national lockdown, while cases in Spain and France have also climbed.
Workers at Libya’s major Sharara field have restarted operations, two engineers working there said, after the National Oil Corporation announced a partial lifting of force majeure. But it was unclear when and at what level production might restart.
Meanwhile, a Suezmax tanker is making its way to Libya’s Marsa El Hariga terminal, according to Refinitiv Eikon shipping data.
Goldman Sachs stuck to its forecast for Brent to reach $49 a barrel by year-end and $65 by the third quarter next year, despite the Libyan developments. Barclays raised its 2020 Brent outlook to $43 a barrel and $53 next year.
Bullish sentiment is underpinned by the hope for improved compliance with an output cut deal among members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies.
Threatening production and providing a floor for prices, Tropical Storm Beta, the 23rd named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, was predicted to move ashore on Texas later on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.
U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles likely fell last week, while inventories of distillates, including diesel, were seen gaining, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday..
Latest Stories
-
iLotBet launches exciting iPhone 17 giveaway for World Cup season
2 hours -
Man found dead after alleged attempted attack on church in Sefwi Asafo
2 hours -
SIC Insurance launches electric vehicles to advance green transition agenda
3 hours -
Kpandai Assembly supplies maize to boarding schools ahead of lean season
3 hours -
Ghanaian mining engineer Dr Linda Abangbila earns PhD in China after five-year AI research journey
3 hours -
GES bans cars, money bouquets on school premises as Education Ministry halts SHS graduations nationwide
3 hours -
Broadway star Iris Beaumier eyes collaboration with Ghana’s arts and culture sector
3 hours -
“God Bless You”: The Currency of Gratitude Among Ghana’s Poor
5 hours -
Heal Komfo Anokye Project to respond to governance and accountability claims
5 hours -
Calls grow for NHIS to cover prescription glasses after over 500 miss free eye care in Bono Region
6 hours -
Nkwanta South: Death toll from Odomi attack now 4 as curfew takes effect
7 hours -
Impakers Creative Hub earns Trade Minister’s praise at Ghana–Italy Circular Economy Dialogue
7 hours -
Coderina EdTech donates STEM materials to support ICT, coding education in Ghana
7 hours -
Iran recloses Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon
7 hours -
Hackman Owusu-Agyeman backs St Augustine’s teachers’ housing project by APSU 2002 to mark 97th anniversry
7 hours