Published

U.S. Oil Prices Sag Below $27 Per Barrel

The price of the U.S. oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, fell nearly 7% on Wednesday to close at $26.55 per barrel, its lowest price in more than 12 years.
#economics

Share

The price of the U.S. oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, fell nearly 7% on Wednesday to close at $26.55 per barrel, its lowest price in more than 12 years.

The international petroleum standard, Brent crude, dropped 3% to $27.10, also a 12-year low.

Traders predict further declines as the already-glutted oil market roils over Iran’s return to the legitimate oil exporting market. Analysts say the world currently is pumping about 1 million more barrels of crude oil than it consumes.

The result is an inventory of some 1 billion barrels of unused oil, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency. IEA predicts the excess supply will expand by 285 million barrels by the end of this year, thanks to a sluggish global economy and the reluctance of oil producers to cut output.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which accounts for roughly 40% of the world’s oil production, expects oil prices to stabilize this year. The cartel forecasts petroleum prices will rise to $70 per barrel by 2020.

RELATED CONTENT

  • On Quantum Navigation, EVs, Auto Industry Sales and more

    Sandia’s quantum navi, three things about EVs, transporting iron ore in an EV during the winter, going underwater in an EV (OK, it is a sub), state of the UK auto industry (sad), why the Big Three likes Big Vehicles, and the future of logistics.

  • On Global EV Sales, Lean and the Supply Chain & Dealing With Snow

    The distribution of EVs and potential implications, why lean still matters even with supply chain issues, where there are the most industrial robots, a potential coming shortage that isn’t a microprocessor, mapping tech and obscured signs, and a look at the future

  • On The German Auto Industry

    A look at several things that are going on in the German auto industry—from new vehicles to stamping to building electric vehicles.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions