Crude jumps on global energy crunch; U.S. oil at 7-year high
Brent crude was up $1.62 cents, or 2%, at $84.01 a barrel by 0914 GMT, The highest level since October 2018.
U.S. oil rose $1.95, or 2.5%, at $81.30 a barrel, the highest since late 2014.
Prices have risen as more vaccinated populations are brought out of coronavirus lockdowns, supporting a revival of economic activity, with Brent advancing for five weeks and U.S. crude for seven.
Coal and gas prices have also been surging as economies recover, making oil more attractive as a fuel for power generation, pushing crude markets higher.
“There’s no direct news flow, the moves are momentum driven where intermarket factors implying higher expected inflation are supporting the bullish move in oil prices,” said Kelvin Wong, commodities analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore.
In India, some states are experiencing electricity blackouts because of coal shortages, while in China the government has ordered miners to ramp up coal production as power prices surge.
The energy crisis sweeping the world is raising the prospect of a difficult northern winter as heating demand rises.
“The news from last week that the Department of Energy is not planning to tap into strategic reserves for now is keeping the oil market tight and is supporting prices,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm had said last week that tapping the country’s emergency oil stash was being mulled by the administration to cool gasoline prices, however, later the Energy Department said it had “no plans to take action at this time”.
Drillers in the United States are taking advantage of the increase in prices and added five new oil wells last week, the fifth straight weekly increase in oil and gas rigs. [RIG/U]
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, together called OPEC+, last week decided to maintain a steady and gradual increase in production.
“Depleting stocks, OPEC discipline and the ongoing energy crunch will provide solid price support in the next three months,” said Tamas Varga, oil analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates.
