Oil Prices Rise on U.S. Inventory Decline and Iraq Export Stalemate

Oil prices extended their rally for a second consecutive day on Wednesday as signs of tightening supply supported the market. Brent crude futures inched up 27 cents to trade at $67.90 per barrel by 0005 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained 28 cents to $63.69. Both benchmarks had climbed more than $1 per barrel on Tuesday, driven by stalled negotiations over resuming exports from Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Talks between Iraq’s federal government, the Kurdish regional government, and international oil companies aimed at restarting pipeline shipments to Turkey have hit a roadblock. The proposed deal would have allowed around 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude exports to resume. However, demands for debt repayment guarantees have delayed progress, leaving pipeline flows halted since March 2023.

Further supporting prices, data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) revealed that U.S. crude and gasoline inventories dropped last week, while distillate stockpiles increased. According to market sources, crude stocks fell by 3.82 million barrels in the week ending September 19, with gasoline inventories declining by 1.05 million barrels. Distillates, however, posted a rise of 518,000 barrels. Traders are now awaiting official U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, which is expected to show increases in both crude and gasoline supplies, alongside a fall in distillates.

Concerns over supply are further amplified by restrictions in Venezuela. Chevron, a major U.S. oil company, will reportedly be able to export only about half of the 240,000 bpd it produces in partnership with state-run entities. Although the company secured authorization in July to continue operations in the sanctioned nation, new regulatory limits mean less Venezuelan heavy, high-sulphur crude will reach the U.S.

With shrinking inventories, delayed Iraqi exports, and constrained Venezuelan shipments, the global oil market faces renewed upward pressure, fueling expectations of tighter supply in the months ahead.