API reports withdrawal while market awaits EIA report

Both Brent and WTI is down over the past three weeks or so, despite OPEC and N-OPEC members extending the supply reduction agreement.

Key factors at play in crude oil market –

• President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel capital last week sparking tensions in the region.
• Turkey and Iran have taken a tough stance against the decision with latest Islamic summit over the issue taking place in Turkey.
• U.S. vetoed down a proposal at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) forwarded by Egypt that calls on all countries to refrain from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
• A crack in North Sea pipeline leading to shut off in oil supply is exerting upward pressure on Brent.
• OPEC members and participating non-OPEC countries have agreed to extend the supply reduction agreement until the end of 2018.
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman led Corruption Committee arrested scores princes, scores of senior officials and incumbent ministers. One prince died in a shootout while resisting arrest.  The corruption Committee has seized billions of dollars’ worth of assets.
• OPEC production declined by 133,000 barrels per day in November to 32.45 million barrels per day, after a production decline of 151,000 barrels in October.
• OPEC production increased by 88,000 barrels/day in September after declining by 79,000 barrels per day m/min August, and that after an increase of 173,000 barrels per day in July. In June production rose by 393,000 barrels per day in June compared to the previous month. In May production increased by 366,000 barrels per day.
• Current U.S production at 9.78 million barrels per day.
• The oil market is in backwardation, both Brent, and WTI.
• API reported a large draw of 5.222 million barrels of crude oil. Gasoline saw a build of 2.001 million barrels.

Today’s inventory report from US Energy Information Administration (EIA) will be released at 15:30 GMT.

Trade idea –

• Active call - Sell Brent targeting $58 per barrel and WTI targeting $52 per barrel.

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