Oil grades decline as US drilling rises and Hormuz talks advance

Oil grades experienced a decline on Friday due to a combination of factors: increased US drilling activity and diplomatic progress on Strait of Hormuz shipping issues. Baker Hughes reported that the number of oil rigs, a key indicator of future output, rose by one to 450 during the week. The Financial Times revealed that Gulf countries' foreign ministers are set to meet with their Iranian counterpart in a bid to secure support for a temporary shipping agreement through the strait, involving Oman and Iran.

Supply disruption concerns continued to pressure prices, despite the positive developments. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis made a significant advance, reaching the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday. This move further solidified their control over a crucial shipping route amid the ongoing Iran war.

The International Energy Agency's latest projections indicated that global oil supply and demand were expected to decline more than previously anticipated this year due to the conflict. World oil supply for 2026 is now forecasted to fall by 5.7 million barrels per day, which accounts for approximately 6% of total production.

Chevron's CEO, Mike Wirth, attributed the price pressures to the depletion of oil buffers that had previously restrained crude price increases earlier in the Iran war. He further suggested that the conflict could continue to push prices higher over the coming months. Light Louisiana Sweet, a key oil grade with October delivery, saw its price fall by 50 cents, settling at a midpoint of $6.00 premium per barrel to US crude futures. The bid and offer ranged between a $5.50 and $6.50 premium.