In hope of greater market certainty
The key questions for 2021’s oil markets remain tough to answer. But milestones on the road will make the picture clearer
Coronavirus has dominated the oil markets this year, and the same is expected for next year. Front-month Ice Brent prices surged by $10-12/bl in early December compared with end-of-October levels, trading at c.$47-49/bl, the highest prices seen since March. Markets have been buoyed by positive developments on Covid-19 vaccines, which are expected to boost the global economy and oil demand through the second half of 2021. From a demand perspective, oil traders are simultaneously dealing with two extremes: a potential worsening situation in the coming few months from coronavirus infections, the global economy and oil demand, but, in the second half of next year, the exact opposite. At this ear
Also in this section
16 April 2026
Demand for oil is falling because supply cannot meet it, not because it is no longer required
16 April 2026
The continent has an immediate opportunity to make the most of its energy resources by capturing gas that is currently slipping away
15 April 2026
The continent is seeing political pushback to climate plans, corporate reassessment of transition goals and rising supply risk in a fractured global order
15 April 2026
The Middle East energy crisis may turn out to be pivotal to the industry’s long-term expansion, but significant challenges still stand in its way






