Crude prices under pressure from economic strain
The lack of economic growth will limit oil demand growth, says IEA
Oil futures traded in a narrow range in May and fell in early June because of an “anaemic economic outlook”, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said. On 1 July, Brent crude was trading just under $103/b, while WTI was around $97/b. The IEA said it expects global oil demand to grow by “a somewhat muted” 785,000 b/d this year, reaching 90.6 million b/d. This is 75,000 b/d lower than the agency’s previous forecast, mainly because of lower Russian consumption, the IEA said. Lacklustre economic growth will continue to limit oil demand growth, with declines still expected in many OECD countries, according to the IEA. In early June, the International Monetary Fund cut its economic growth foreca
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya






