Harvest Global Markets :

Oil prices have been grappling with a second week of decline, despite a temporary uptick on Friday. This decline comes as the dollar strengthened ahead of a highly anticipated speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, while concerns over supply constraints eased. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also saw a 0.5% increase, reaching $80 a barrel at the time of writing. However, this modest gain doesn’t negate the fact that crude prices are poised to experience a decline between 1.2% and 2.2% for the week, marking a second consecutive week of setbacks.

The focus of market participants has undoubtedly shifted to the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook there is no doubt the Fed’s policy outlook will be the key driving force for markets ahead, As the market is eager to glean insights from fresh updates on U.S. inflation and labor market data, especially after the previous Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Powell’s remarks at the Jackson Hole Symposium have prompted investor caution, propelling the dollar to a 10-week high – its most substantial rise in a month. Market participants eagerly await information on the expected duration of elevated interest rates. It’s worth noting that a stronger dollar exerts pressure on oil prices, as it makes crude more expensive for holders of other currencies, consequently dampening demand. Simultaneously, discussions concerning crude oil exports between Turkey and Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan regional government remain ongoing. The halt in Iraqi oil flows via the Ceyhan port, instated on March 25, following a lost arbitration case, has been a complicating factor in the global supply equation. The situation with Iranian oil production has also captured the market’s attention. Despite the persistence of U.S. sanctions, Iran’s oil minister has claimed that the country’s crude oil output will reach 3.4 million barrels per day by the end of September. This assertion has raised eyebrows, given the existing sanctions regime.

Adding to the complexity, U.S. officials are reportedly working on a proposal to ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector, potentially allowing more entities and nations to import Venezuelan crude oil. Such a development could alter the dynamics of global oil supply and demand. In a surprising turn, Norway’s Equinor announced an early start to production at its extended Statfjord Ost field, with expectations of a 26 million barrel equivalent rise in output. However, the impact of previous production cuts on oil prices seems to be waning, and the market is now looking to Saudi Arabia for potential extensions of voluntary output reductions. Analysts speculate that Saudi Arabia, a major oil exporter, might prolong its voluntary oil cut of 1 million barrels per day for a third consecutive month into October. This decision hinges on ongoing uncertainties about global supplies and Saudi Arabia’s aim to decrease global inventories. While oil prices managed to stabilize somewhat during Asian trade on Friday, the prevailing sense is that they are heading for another week of decline. Lingering concerns about slowing Chinese demand and increased U.S. supply have kept pressure on prices. The driving factor behind this trend is the anticipation of Jerome Powell’s speech and its potential implications for U.S. monetary policy. The dollar’s strength amidst these expectations impacts oil markets by raising the cost of crude for international buyers. Moreover, the specter of higher U.S. interest rates contributes to concerns about potential economic slowdown, which could, in turn, reduce demand for oil.

Despite the nuanced landscape, the broader context reveals that oil prices remain marginally higher for the year, despite the recent declines. This year’s trajectory has been influenced by various factors, including supply cuts by significant oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and Russia. As the oil market navigates through these intricate dynamics, the industry continues to look for cues from both monetary policies and supply fundamentals to determine its future direction.