The outlook for the global crude markets remains contested
OPEC+ must wait on contested demand outlook
Whether OPEC+ starts to unwind its oil production cuts from June will depend on heavily debated unfolding supply-demand balances
The outlook for the global crude markets remains contested, as evidenced by the widely divergent predictions for demand growth put forward by the IEA and OPEC already this year. Much will depend on the health of the Chinese economy and wider macroeconomic factors, such as inflation, across OECD economies. By contrast, there is more consensus on the outlook for the supply side of the equation. Forecasting is further complicated by the geopolitical divisions and sanctions that have fractured the global market and threaten to spill over into wider conflict. OPEC+ will not want to release the genie from the bottle for fear of not being able to put it back, but the ongoing voluntary cuts are cert
Also in this section
2 April 2025
The often-hidden yet powerful hand maintains supply chain linkages and global flows amid disruptions
2 April 2025
At some point it is likely that $70/bl will be quietly accepted as the producer-consumer sweet spot for a US administration having to balance both sides of the ledger
1 April 2025
There is method to the US president’s apparent madness, and those seeking to understand need look no further than their local bookshop
1 April 2025
Strong economic growth targets are encouraging for the country’s energy demand growth, even if meeting those goals might be a tall order
