{
  "id": 15682877,
  "title": "Oil eases as markets assess Russian energy waiver, Middle East supply risks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/oil-eases-as-markets-assess-russian-energy-waiver-middle-east-supply",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-20T00:54:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/10/1559424/oil-eases-markets-assess-russian-energy-waiver-middle-east"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oil prices experienced a decline on Tuesday as investors considered the impact of a recent US executive order waiving some sanctions and tariffs related to Russian energy exports. The order, issued by US President Donald Trump, aimed to ease some of the economic pressure on Russia, but concerns over Middle East supply disruptions persisted due to attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Brent crude futures dropped by 49 cents, or 0.45 percent, to $109.06 a barrel in the early hours of Tuesday trading in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude contract for November delivery fell by 0.33 percent to $103.32. The more actively traded December contract saw a further 46 cent, or 0.47 percent, reduction, settling at $98.08. Brent had previously spiked to $110.70 a barrel in the prior session, marking its highest level since May 20. The US sanctions waivers were issued on Friday night, though Trump hinted at a potential final decision later in the week, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested officials needed more time to assess the situation. In September, Russia increased its crude oil production by 65,000 barrels per day, reaching an output of 8.43 million barrels per day. However, this production was still about 870,000 barrels per day short of the levels seen a year earlier, according to the International Energy Agency. While the potential increase in Russian diesel supply provides some theoretical relief, traders' focus remained firmly on the ongoing threat of further damage to energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. Analysts pointed out the ongoing risk of attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, who had recently carried out strikes on Saudi energy, airport, and military targets, leading to concerns over regional stability and the continued risks to oil supplies from the area, helping maintain oil prices above $100 a barrel. US crude oil inventories were also anticipated to have fallen last week, alongside declines in refined product stocks, as per a preliminary Reuters poll.",
  "summary": "BENGALURU: Oil prices fell on Tuesday as markets weighed an executive order by US President Donald Trump waiving some sanctions and tariffs linked to Russian energy exports, while attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen kept concerns over Middle East supply disruptions in focus.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Oil eases as markets assess potential waiver on Russian energy, Middle East supply risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/oil-eases-as-markets-assess-potential-waiver-on-russian-energy-middle",
        "published": "2026-10-20T00:57:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Oil eases as markets assess potential waiver on Russian energy, Middle East supply risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/oil-eases-as-markets-assess-potential-waiver-on-russian-energy-middle-15679145",
        "published": "2026-10-20T01:00:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times - Top News",
        "title": "Oil eases as markets assess potential waiver on Russian energy, Middle East supply risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/oil-eases-as-markets-assess-potential-waiver-on-russian-energy-middle-15681352",
        "published": "2026-10-20T01:26:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Oil eases as markets assess potential waiver on Russian energy, Middle East supply risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/oil-eases-as-markets-assess-potential-waiver-on-russian-energy-middle-15686245",
        "published": "2026-10-20T02:24:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Oil eases as markets assess potential waiver on Russian energy, Middle East supply risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/oil-eases-as-markets-assess-potential-waiver-on-russian-energy-middle-15696743",
        "published": "2026-10-20T03:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}