Energies Futures Prices

by cmdtyNewswires - Tue Sep 17, 4:57PM CDT
Oct WTI crude oil (CLV19) on Tuesday closed down by -3.56 (-5.66%), Nov Brent crude oil (CBX19) closed down by -4.47 (-6.48%), and Oct RBOB gasoline (RBV19) closed down -0.0773 (-4.41%). The energy complex fell back sharply Tuesday on a Reuters report that said Saudi Arabian oil output will return faster than first thought. Reuters reported Tuesday that Saudi Arabia is already close to restoring 70% of its oil production lost in Saturday's drone strike and that it expects to return to full production in the next two to three weeks. Crude prices on Monday earlier surged to 3-3/4 month highs after Saudi Arabia lost about half of its oil production output (i.e., 5 mln bpd of total 9.8 mln bpd production), representing about 5% of total world output, due to a drone attack and fire at its key Abqaiq oil processing facility on Saturday. Tensions remain high due to concern regarding a possible U.S. military strike against Iran after CBS reported Tuesday that the U.S. has identified the exact locations in Iran where more than 20 drones and cruise missiles were launched in Saturday's attack on Saudi oil facilities. Also, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tuesday that Iran will not negotiate with the U.S. "on any level." Tuesday's global economic data was supportive for economic growth and energy demand after U.S. Aug manufacturing production rose +0.5%, stronger than expectations of +0.2%, and Aug industrial production rose +0.6%, stronger than expectations of +0.2% and the biggest increase in a year. Also, the U.S. Sep NAHB housing market index unexpectedly rose +1 to an 11-month high of 68, stronger than expectations of unchanged at 66. In addition, the German Sep ZEW survey expectations of economic growth index rose +21.6 to -22.5, stronger than expectations of +6.1 to -38.0. Crude prices added to losses Tuesday afternoon when the API reported that U.S. crude stockpiles rose +592,000 bbl last week. A supportive factor for crude prices is the consensus for Wednesday's weekly EIA crude inventories to fall -2.0 million bbl. Last Wednesday’s weekly EIA data showed that U.S. crude oil inventories as of Sep 6 were -0.9% below the seasonal 5-year average, gasoline inventories were +3.2% above the 5-year average, and distillate inventories were -5.5% below the 5-year average. U.S. crude production in the week ended Sep 6 was unchanged at 12.4 million bpd, just below the record high of 12.5 million bpd in the week of Aug 23.

by cmdtyNewswires - Tue Sep 17, 4:55PM CDT
Oct Nymex natural gas (NGV19) on Tuesday closed down by -0.013 (-0.48%). Nat-gas prices posted moderate losses Tuesday as ramped up U.S. nat-gas production offsets forecasts for above-normal U.S. temperatures. Nat-gas prices raced up to a 3-3/4 month high Monday on the outlook for hotter weather across the U.S. that should boost nat-gas demand from utilities to power air-conditioning. NOAA on Monday said that it expects hotter-than-normal weather across the entire U.S. during Sep 23-29. Also, Maxar on Tuesday said that it expects above-normal temperatures across the eastern two-thirds of the lower contiguous U.S. states through Oct 1. High U.S. nat-gas production continues to be a bearish factor with lower-48 nat-gas production Tuesday up +5.5% y/y at 90.822 bcf/d. Strong U.S. nat-gas output has caused U.S. nat-gas inventories to rise sharply in recent months to the current level of +14.5% y/y from -22.3% y/y in March. A supportive factor for nat-gas prices is the expectation for Thursday's weekly EIA nat-gas inventories to climb by 76 bcf, below the 5-year average of 82 bcf. Last Thursday's weekly EIA nat-gas inventories rose by 78 bcf, which pushed nat-gas inventories up to a 9-1/2 month high of 3,019 bcf in the week of Sep 6. Inventories are up +14.5% y/y but are still -2.5% below the 5-year average.