Crude Oil Drops Amid Oversupply Concerns
Crude oil prices fell on Monday amid thin trading volumes ahead of year-end holidays, driven by investor concerns over a potential oversupply in the coming year and the strength of the US dollar.
Brent crude futures dropped $0.31, or 0.43%, to $72.63 per barrel by session close. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate USOIL futures slipped $0.22, or 0.32%, to $69.24 per barrel. The Mexican crude blend also declined, shedding 0.28% to $64.51 per barrel.
Outlook and Market Drivers
Analysts forecast an oversupply for next year, which is expected to push Brent prices to an average of $70.50 per barrel, lower than this year’s $79.64 average, according to a December report.
Concerns about European supply eased after reports confirmed the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian and Kazakh oil to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany, resumed operations following technical issues at a Russian pumping station last Thursday.
The dollar hovered near its two-year high on Monday, a level it had reached the previous Friday. A stronger dollar increases the cost of oil for holders of other currencies, adding downward pressure on prices.
Weekly Performance
Last week, Brent futures fell by approximately 2.1%, WTI dropped 2.6%, and the Mexican crude blend declined by 2.33%. These losses were driven by global economic growth concerns and weaker oil demand after the Federal Reserve signaled caution regarding further monetary easing.
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