Oil slips after IEA lowers 2020 demand forecast

NEW YORK: Oil prices eased on Thursday after the International Energy Agency lowered its 2020 oil demand forecast due to unprecedented travel restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but resilience in equities markets and a weak dollar limited losses.

Brent crude was down 53 cents, or 1.2%, at $44.90 a barrel by 1:38 p.m. EDT (1738 GMT), and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 51 cents, or 1.2%, at $42.16 a barrel.

The International Energy Agency cut its 2020 oil demand forecast on Thursday and said reduced air travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic would lower global oil consumption this year by 8.1 million barrels per day (bpd).

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also said that world oil demand will fall by 9.06 million bpd this year, more than the 8.95 million bpd decline expected a month ago.

"Overall, neither yesterday's OPEC or today's IEA release appeared to have much effect on an oil market that is still primarily focused on the ongoing expansion in risk appetite that remains undeterred by lack of progress in formulating a viable US stimulus deal," said Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch and Associates.

Wall Street has recovered most of the trillions in market capitalization lost in the early part of the pandemic, and the S&P 500 index briefly traded on Thursday above its record closing high.

The dollar fell to its lowest level in a week against a basket of currencies. A weaker dollar makes oil cheaper for holders of foreign currencies.

Investors across asset classes are still awaiting a breakthrough on another US stimulus package and keeping watch on frayed US-China ties ahead of trade talks on Aug. 15.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he did not expect hasty decisions on output cuts when a monitoring committee of OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, meets next week because the oil market has been stable.

Last month OPEC+ eased the cuts to around 7.7 million bpd until December from a previous reduction of 9.7 million bpd, reflecting a gradual improvement in global oil demand.

Prices found some support as US crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories dropped last week as refiners ramped up production and demand improved, a government report showed.

Oil prices have been range-bound since mid-June, with Brent trading between $40 and $46 per barrel, and WTI between $37 and $43 per barrel.

"The market moved from chronic oversupply in April-May to a deficit by June," said Ehsan Khoman, head of MENA research and strategy at MUFG. "The underlying oil market deficit is becoming more evident and, along with a broader reflation narrative, is keeping oil prices on an even keel."