Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, discusses the outlook for oil markets, including factors affecting demand and prices. He predicts a comfortable price evolution with moderate growth throughout 2024. The speaker also analyzes physical tightness, oversupply concerns, tensions in the Red Sea, and weakening Chinese demand. Additionally, he discusses the I.E.A.'s prediction of oil demand peak before 2030 due to clean energy initiatives and electric cars.
The growth in oil supply from countries like the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Guyana is expected to exceed global oil demand growth in 2024, resulting in a comfortable and moderately priced oil market throughout the year.
The speaker expresses positivity towards the increased oil supply from the Americas, which helps lower oil prices and reduce the ability of countries to manipulate prices, but warns that any major escalation in Middle East tensions could lead to a significant increase in oil prices, negatively impacting the global economy.
Deep dives
Oil Demand Growth Weaker in 2024
In the podcast episode, the speaker discusses the expectation of weaker oil demand growth in 2024 compared to the previous year. The slower economic growth in China and the electrification of the transportation system are cited as the main factors contributing to this trend. On the supply side, the growth in oil production from countries like the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Guyana is expected to exceed the global oil demand growth, resulting in a comfortable and moderately priced oil market throughout 2024, barring any major geopolitical turmoil or extreme weather events.
Impact of US Oil Supply and Geopolitical Risks
The speaker expresses a positive outlook regarding the growth of oil supply from the United States and other countries in the Americas, noting that it is beneficial for the oil market due to weaker oil demand. This additional supply helps to lower oil prices and reduce the ability of countries to control oil production and manipulate prices. However, the speaker acknowledges that if major oil-producing countries become directly involved in the current Middle East tensions or if there is an escalation of the situation, it could lead to a significant increase in oil prices, which would negatively impact the global economy.
Peak in Oil Demand Expected Before 2030
The speaker mentions the IEA's prediction that global oil demand will peak before 2030 due to the faster-than-expected transition to clean energy and the increasing adoption of electric cars worldwide. The clean energy transition, including the rise of renewables and nuclear power, along with the slowdown of the Chinese economy, which has been a major driver of oil demand growth, are cited as the main factors contributing to this projected peak in oil demand. The speaker also highlights the need for oil and gas companies to align their investment portfolios more closely with their claims of investing in clean energy and addressing climate change.
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, says that global oil markets should remain 'comfortable' this year as new supplies satisfy demand and keep prices in check. He speaks with Bloomberg's Tom Mackenzie and Kriti Gupta.