Global Commodities: A dichotomy in the oil balance
Jul 12, 2024
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Head of Global Commodities Research, Natasha Kaneva, discusses the 1.0 mbd oil deficit in 3Q, with a huge 2.4 mbd draw in crude. The podcast explores the dichotomy in oil balances, the impact on price trends, refining activities, and China's strategic stockpiling.
Anticipated Brent oil price to hit $90 by September due to tightening oil balances.
Global refining challenges impacting capacity growth, leading to product inventory builds and crude drawdowns.
Deep dives
Oil Price Outlook and Market Analysis
Brent crude prices rose steadily, holding above $85, and are anticipated to reach $90 by September. The tightening of oil balances is leading to significant stock draws, with a projected global oil liquids deficit in the third quarter. Despite a surplus in products, there is a notable deficit in crude, marking a historic anomaly in scale.
Global Oil Demand Expectations
Global oil demand growth is projected to increase by 1.4 million barrels per day in 2024, primarily driven by economic expansion and the normalization of mobility fuels. Concerns arise from mixed economic signals, especially in China, where oil demand is expected to grow, influenced by petrochemical feedstocks and strategic stockpiling efforts.
Challenges in Refining Activity
Global refinery runs have faced challenges, with unplanned outages and delays impacting refining capacity growth. Despite underperformance in the first half of the year, a significant increase in global refining runs is still projected, contributing to product inventory builds and crude stock drawdowns.
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Exploring the Dichotomy in Oil Balances and Price Outlook
Natasha Kaneva, Head of Global Commodities Research
Our balances suggest a ~1.0 mbd deficit in oil liquids in 3Q, comprised of a large 1.6 mbd surplus in products, but a massive 2.4 mbd draw in crude. This dichotomy represents a historic norm in terms of direction, but is an anomaly in terms of scale. Supply and demand so far have performed largely in line with our expectations, but if there is a weak spot in our balances, it would likely be on the refining side. Throughout this year we have been consistently downgrading our projections for growth in global processing rates for 2024, and now see only 1 mbd growth this year vs 1.8 mbd originally. We maintain our long-held view that Brent oil will reach $90 by September, average $84 in the third quarter and $83 for the year, before dropping into mid-$60s in 4Q25.