The Business Times

Oil advances as Goldman forecasts deficit amid increasing demand

Published Mon, May 16, 2016 · 08:17 AM

[HONG KONG] Oil advanced as Goldman Sachs Group Inc said the market moved into a deficit earlier than expected and China's refineries processed crude at record rates.

Futures surged as much as 1.7 per cent in New York and London. The market shifted into deficit this month, a quarter earlier than expected, on strong demand and falling production, Goldman Sachs said in a report. The bank raised its price estimates and projected a return to surplus early next year. Chinese plants processed 10.93 million barrels a day in April, while domestic crude output fell to the lowest in 14 months, according to government data.

Oil has rebounded after falling earlier this year to the lowest since 2003 amid signs the worldwide glut will ease as US output declines. The global surplus in the first half of 2016 is smaller than previously estimated because of robust demand in India and other emerging nations, the International Energy Agency said in a report Thursday.

"The physical rebalancing of the oil market has finally started," Goldman analysts including Damien Courvalin and Jeffrey Currie wrote in the report dated May 15. "We believe the market has likely shifted into deficit in May."

West Texas Intermediate for June delivery increased as much as 79 cents to US$47 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and traded at US$46.86 by 8:21 am London time. The contract slid 1.1 per cent to close at US$46.21 on Friday, paring the 7.5 per cent advance over the previous three sessions amid supply outages from Nigeria to Canada. Total volume traded was about 3 per cent above the 100-day average. Prices have climbed more than 75 per cent from the February low.

China Output Brent for July settlement increased as much as 83 cents to US$48.66 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract declined 25 cents to close at US$47.83 on Friday. The global benchmark crude was at a premium of 97 cents to WTI for July.

Goldman increased its WTI price forecasts for the second quarter through the fourth quarter, while raising its full-year 2016 projection to US$44.60 a barrel, from US$38.40, according to the report. There will be a more gradual decline in inventories in the second half than previously estimated and a return to surplus in the first quarter of 2017, with low-cost production continuing to grow, Goldman said.

"There is evidence that the market is moving back toward balance," Michael McCarthy, chief strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney, said by phone. "Given the proximity to the top of the broader trading range between US$48 and US$50 a barrel, it seems less likely that oil can push significantly higher."

BLOOMBERG

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to  t.me/BizTimes

Energy & Commodities

SUPPORT SOUTH-EAST ASIA'S LEADING FINANCIAL DAILY

Get the latest coverage and full access to all BT premium content.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Browse corporate subscription here