Crude oil prices decelerated on Tuesday, pulling back earlier gains recorded at the previous trading session on growing concerns that surging COVID-19 cases in the world’s biggest oil user, the United States, would limit the upside in energy demand.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) lost about 0.66%, to trade at $40.46 a barrel at 6.11am local time after surging as high as $40.36 in its intra-day trading session. Brent crude also lost about 0.63%, to trade at $42.83, after hitting an intraday high of $43.19.
“The potential for demand destruction as lockdown re-instatement looks more likely are combining with concerns about OPEC+ discipline to weigh on oil prices,” CMC Market’s Chief Market Strategist Michael McCarthy said in a note to Reuters.
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The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, are lowering output by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) for a third month in July.
Stephen Innes, Chief Global Market Strategist at AxiCorp, in an email to Nairametrics, explained the macros limiting the prospect of oil demand. He said:
“The faltering re-opening of the US States is also partially offset by the muscular approach by Saudi Arabia. They are seeking to enforce compliance with OPEC+ quotas – both are currently important in maintaining market balance and ultimately drawing down global inventories.
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“It seems traders are getting more accustomed to minor retracements and rallies than expecting a significant price shift this week as a range trade mentality continues to resonate where Brent $40 per barrel does give the appearance of something of a floor.
“With the market torn between robust cyclical data and rising virus case counts in the Sun Belt, putting in significant headroom above $WTI 40 was also challenged by a possible resumption of US shale production as price move higher. While no less concerning is OPEC+ could roll back cuts in August.”
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In addition, data from the American Petroleum Institute industry group scheduled to come out later today and the U.S. Energy Information Administration data planned to be out tomorrow, are expected to show a 100,000 barrel rise in crude oil stockpiles, six experts polled by Reuters estimated.
