As OPEC+ nears a critical decision on production, global oil markets face volatility and potential surplus challenges.
Brent crude oil prices edged lower on Monday, moving towards $80 a barrel, in anticipation of the OPEC+ meeting set to discuss supply cuts extending into 2024. Brent crude futures decreased by 0.68% to $80.03, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures fell to $74.96, down by 0.77%.
Last week’s oil market experienced notable fluctuations. Speculations that Saudi Arabia and Russia might prolong supply cuts into early 2024 influenced trading. However, OPEC+ delayed a key meeting to November 30 to address production target disagreements, especially for African nations, sparking mid-week price drops.
Recent reports suggest OPEC+ is nearing an agreement, with market watchers eyeing Saudi Arabia’s potential continuation of a 1 million barrels per day voluntary cut. Any deviation could pressure the market further, considering the expected surplus in early 2024.
OPEC’s export reductions align with supply targets, yet the United Arab Emirates plans to boost Murban crude exports next year. The International Energy Agency anticipates a slight surplus in 2024, even if OPEC+ extends cuts, due to a deceleration in demand growth.
Easing Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions have also stabilized the market. The upcoming OPEC+ meeting is pivotal, with extended supply cuts and disciplined management essential to mitigate surplus risks and maintain price equilibrium in the coming year.
This positioning, coupled with the moving averages’ trend, points to a cautiously bearish market sentiment.
James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.