Crude prices drop for seventh session on oversupply worries
Crude oil futures fell for a seventh straight session on Monday,
their longest losing streak since mid-2014, as a forecast from the
International Energy Agency (IEA) that the global supply glut was
likely to deepen next year dragged on prices.
Brent crude LCOc1 fell below $38 a barrel for the first time since
December 2008 on Friday after the IEA said demand growth was
slowing while OPEC output remained high. U.S. crude, West Texas
Intermediate (WTI) CLc1, settled in the $35 territory for the first
time since February 2009.
Front month WTI was down 16 cents at $35.46 a barrel by 0410 GMT,
while Brent was down 23 cents to $37.70 a barrel.
Both benchmarks have fallen every day since the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Dec. 4 abandoned its output
ceiling. In the past six sessions, they have shed more than 13
percent each.
OPEC has been pumping near record levels since last year in an
attempt to drive higher-cost producers such as U.S. shale firms out
of the market.
New supply is likely to hit the market early next year as OPEC
member Iran ramps up production once sanctions are lifted as
expected following the July agreement on its disputed nuclear
program, BMI Research said in a note.
"All new production will be earmarked for exports," BMI Research
said. "In addition to volumes released from storage, Iran will be
able to increase crude oil and condensates exports by a maximum of
700,000 b/d by end-2016," it said.
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