Oil prices slip as surge in virus cases raises concerns about demand

[NEW YORK] Oil prices slipped on Thursday as hopes for a vaccine were overshadowed by a surge in new cases of the coronavirus around the world, which raised concerns about the outlook for crude demand.

Brent crude settled down 14 cents to US$44.20 a barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 8 cents to settle at US$41.74 a barrel.

The Brent price contango, a market structure in which near-month barrels are cheaper than those in later months, implying current oversupply, was at its shallowest in more than four months. This suggests concerns about a glut are easing.

"Covid is definitely weighing on the market," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York. For crude oil, specifically, though, there's a risk that a new Opec price war could emerge, Mr Yawger said.

"I think they will come to an agreement, but 24 hours ago, it seemed like a done deal," he said.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

While official data on Wednesday showed US crude inventories rose 768,000 barrels last week, crucially the rise was smaller than the 1.7 million barrels analysts had expected in a Reuters poll.

Stocks of distillates, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 5.2 million barrels, far more than expectations.

But concerns about the demand outlook persist. The US death toll from Covid-19 surpassed 250,000, while daily cases in Japan and Russia surged. Among tougher curbs to prevent the virus spreading, New York City shut public schools.

Concerns about oversupply remain. Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) and France's Total discussed NOC's efforts to raise capacity and increase production.

Opec+, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers, will discuss policy at a meeting on Nov 30 and Dec 1.

Sources says Opec+ members are leaning towards delaying a plan to boost output in January by 2 million barrels per day (bpd).

UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said his country has always been a committed member of Opec and that it has demonstrated this commitment through its compliance to the current Opec+ oil supply reduction agreement.

The minister's comments were in response to media reports that the UAE has been questioning the benefits of being in Opec and even considering whether to leave the oil producing group.

REUTERS