Feb WTI crude oil (CLG23) this morning is up +0.46 (+0.58%), and Feb RBOB gasoline (RBG23) is up +1.52 (+0.61%). Â Feb Nymex natural gas (NGG23) is up +0.301 (+8.80%).
Crude oil and gasoline prices this morning are moderately higher, with crude climbing to a 2-week high and gasoline climbing to a 2-month high. Â Better-than-expected Chinese economic news today is positive for energy demand and crude prices. Â However, crude prices fell back from their best levels due to the strength of the dollar. Â
Today's Chinese economic news was better than expected, signaling relative strength in energy demand. Â China Q4 GDP was unchanged q/q and +2.9% y/y, stronger than expectations of -1.1% q/q and +1.6% y/y. Â Also, China Dec industrial production rose +1.3% y/y, stronger than expectations of +0.1% y/y. Â In addition, China Dec retail sales fell -1.8% y/y, stronger than expectations of -9.0% y/y.
Crude prices have support as the removal of pandemic travel restrictions has bolstered expectations for a jump in domestic and international flights in China during the week-long Lunar New Year that begins on January 21.
China boosted its crude import quotas last Monday, a sign from the world's largest crude importer that it is gearing up to meet higher demand. Â As of this week, China has issued a combined 132 million metric tons (MMT) of quotas for crude imports in 2023, well above the quota for 109 MMT at the same time last year. Â Â Â
In a note to clients Monday, Goldman Sachs said oil market participants are preparing for a recession that is unlikely to materialize, and oil markets are unprepared for the sequential demand growth this year as China reopens and travel continues to recover. Â As a result, Goldman Sachs predicts Brent crude will reach $105 a bbl by Q4 and average $97.50 a bbl this year. Â
Increased OPEC crude output is bearish for oil prices. Â OPEC Dec crude production rose +150,000 bpd to 29.140 million bpd. Â OPEC+ on December 4 decided to keep the group's crude production targets unchanged for January, in line with expectations. Â OPEC+ will meet again on February 1 to discuss its production targets.
Crude oil prices found support after Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in late December that Russia might cut production by 500,000-700,000 bpd in response to Europe’s partial oil embargo on Russian oil imports.  The European embargo is having a significant impact, as Bloomberg reports that total oil shipment volume from Russia in mid-December fell sharply by -54%.
In a bullish factor, Vortexa reported Monday that the amount of crude stored on tankers that have been stationary for at least a week fell -8.9% w/w to 85.39 million bbl in the week ended January 13.
Last Wednesday's EIA report showed that (1) U.S. crude oil inventories as of January 6 were +0.4% above the seasonal 5-year average, (2) gasoline inventories were -7.0% below the seasonal 5-year average, and (3) distillate inventories were -17.1% below the 5-year seasonal average. Â U.S. crude oil production in the week ended January 6 rose +0.8% w/w to 12.2 million bpd, which is only 0.9 million bpd (-6.9%) below the Feb-2020 record-high of 13.1 million bpd.
Baker Hughes reported last Friday that active U.S. oil rigs in the week ended January 13 rose by +5 rigs to 623 rigs, modestly below the 2-1/2 year high of 627 rigs posted on December 2. Â U.S. active oil rigs have more than tripled from the 17-year low of 172 rigs seen in Aug 2020, signaling an increase in U.S. crude oil production capacity.
More Natural Gas News from Barchart
- Nat-Gas Prices Sink on Above-Normal Winter Temps
- Crude Prices Underpinned on the Outlook for Stronger Chinese Oil Demand
- Nat-Gas Prices Gain on Forecasts for Colder U.S. Temps
- Crude Rallies on Dollar Weakness and Outlook for Less Fed Tightening
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
/Advanced%20Micro%20Devices%20Inc_%20office%20sign-by%20Poetra_RH%20via%20Shutterstock.jpg)
