Brent, WTI Prices Slip
Oil prices fell on Monday after US energy firms added rigs for the first time this year in a sign that crude production there may rise further, and as China, the world’s second-largest oil user, reported additional signs of an economic slowdown.
US crude oil futures were at $53.43 per barrel, down 26 cents, or 0.5%, from their last settlement, CNBC reported.
International Brent crude oil futures were at $61.50 a barrel, down 14 cents, or 0.2%.
High US crude oil production, which rose to a record 11.9 million barrels per day late last year, has been weighing on oil markets, traders said.
In a sign that output could rise further, US energy firms last week raised the number of rigs looking for new oil for the first time in 2019 to 862, an additional 10 rigs, Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its weekly report on Friday.
Beyond oil supply, a key question for this year will be demand growth.
Oil consumption has been increasing steadily, likely averaging above 100 million bpd for the first time ever in 2019, driven largely by a boom in China.
However, an economic slowdown amid a trade dispute between Washington and Beijing is weighing on fuel demand growth expectations.
Earnings at China’s industrial firms shrank for a second straight month in December on falling prices and sluggish factory activity, piling more pressure on the world’s second-largest economy, which reported the slowest pace of growth last year since 1990.
source: Financial Tribune
Top News
Five last month
Two last year
US Energy Dept finalizes $2.26bn loan for Lithium Americas’ Nevada mine
Abandoned copper mines embraced as fast track to boost output
Glencore posts lower metals output for first nine months, reiterates outlook
Mercuria eyes equity in African assets, new metals boss says
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Traders see gold as a surefire bet as coin-toss election looms
Gold price surge adds glitter to tarnished miners
Environmentalists sue over US approval of ioneer’s Nevada lithium mine
Gold price shows little reaction to jobs data
St Barbara raises $73m to fast-track Simberi sulphide production
Copper price sees biggest drop since May as Trump’s win boosts dollar
Sibanye agrees wage deal for its gold operations, union says
China’s industry ministry plans to step up lithium, cobalt, nickel exploration
Liberty Gold advances Black Pine project permitting
China zinc smelter group sets processing fees for Q1 2025
Brazil prepares to remove illegal Amazon gold miners from Munduruku land
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Ecuador to reopen mining register for first time in over six years
St Barbara raises $73m to fast-track Simberi sulphide production
Copper price sees biggest drop since May as Trump’s win boosts dollar
Sibanye agrees wage deal for its gold operations, union says
China’s industry ministry plans to step up lithium, cobalt, nickel exploration
China zinc smelter group sets processing fees for Q1 2025
Brazil prepares to remove illegal Amazon gold miners from Munduruku land
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Ecuador to reopen mining register for first time in over six years