Oil prices dive $3, head for weekly loss

Oil fell by more than $3 and was on course for a weekly decline, pressured by worries that future US Federal Reserve interest rate hikes could weigh on demand and by signs of ample crude and fuel supply.

On Thursday, two Fed officials warned additional hikes in borrowing costs are essential to curb inflation. The sentiments lifted the US dollar, making oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

Brent crude futures were down $2.20, or 2.6%, to $82.93 a barrel by 1709 GMT. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US crude fell $2.25, or 2.9%, to $76.24.

Both benchmarks were heading for a weekly decline of more than 4%.

“Rate hike jitters have returned with a vengeance,” said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. Various signs of ample supply also weighed on the market.

Russian oil producers expect to maintain current volumes of crude oil exports, despite the government’s plan to cut oil output in March, the Vedomosti newspaper said on Friday, citing sources familiar with companies’ plans.

The latest snapshot of US supplies, released on Wednesday, showed crude inventories in the week to Feb 10 rose by 16.3 million barrels to 471.4 million barrels, their highest level since June 2021.

“Because oil storage is at a 19-month high, refiners are going to stretch out turnaround season for as long as they can,” said Bob Yawger, Director of Energy Futures at Mizuho.

Heating oil cracks fell 5% on Friday as warm weather sapped demand for the fuel in mid-February.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2023.

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