Oil prices edge lower on improving supplies; WTI set for strong week
Oil prices dipped marginally on Friday after a report suggested the U.S. could ease sanctions on tankers to alleviate petroleum shipping costs, alongside the International Energy Agency (IEA) announcing it would accelerate emergency oil stock releases. However, crude's declines were constrained by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as Iran struck additional vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and conflicts persisted between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.4% to $97.58 a barrel by 19:21 ET (23:21 GMT). Traders anticipated a 6.2% increase in WTI futures this week, following a sharp rally on Thursday triggered by data indicating a significant reduction in U.S. oil inventories the previous week. Brent settled at $105.69/barrel on Thursday and saw a 0.9% gain this week.
The U.S. was considering a move to ease sanctions on "shadow fleet" vessels, which transport oil and derivatives from countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, in an effort to reduce global freight rates and temper soaring fuel prices. However, the exact outcome of this measure remained uncertain. Earlier in the week, the U.S. had unveiled a substantial diesel supply agreement with Russia to mitigate surging prices.
Russia's energy infrastructure was also a point of contention after Ukraine announced it would resume attacks on Moscow's energy infrastructure, with little traction towards a ceasefire.
The IEA confirmed it would release over 20 million barrels of diesel and signaled it would hasten the discharge of any oil from an emergency reserve pledged in March. These actions were specifically aimed at alleviating diesel prices, which surged to record highs due to supply disruptions in Russia and the Middle East. While the Middle East crude exports approached around 75% of prewar levels in September, the IEA cautioned that global diesel markets might stay tight until 2027. Moreover, the agency projected a decline in global oil demand this year.
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