PHOTO: REUTERS
Global crude Oil dips as virus infections rise
In Canada and the United States, the number of operating oil and natural gas rigs fell to a record low last week
SINGAPORE: Oil prices slid on Monday as concern grew that a record rise in coronavirus infections worldwide could stall a recovery in fuel demand, outweighing tighter supplies from major producers.
Brent crude LCOc1 fell 10 cents, or 0.2%, to $42.04 a barrel by 0655 GMT, while US crude CLc1 was at $39.72 a barrel, down 11 cents, or 0.3%. Both contracts rose about 9% last week and Brent crude futures have flipped into backwardation, so that oil for immediate delivery costs more than that to be provided later, usually an indication of tightening supply. LCOc1-LCOc2
“The market has entered a slight backwardation up to October. It times in with some of our estimates that by around November, the market could get really tight,” said Howie Lee, an economist at Singapore’s OCBC Bank.
“I find it more difficult for oil to move higher at this point, especially with the growing concern about second-wave contagion.”
In Canada and the United States, the number of operating oil and natural gas rigs fell to a record low last week, even as higher oil prices prompt some producers to start drilling again.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2020.
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