Supply disruptions, U.S. attempts to shut out Iran buoy oil prices

Reuters  |  SINGAPORE 

By Gloystein

Brent crude futures rose 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $76.46 per barrel at 0146 GMT, from their last close.

U.S. Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $70.70, up 19 cents, or 0.3 percent.

The demanded all countries stop imports of Iranian from November, a State Department said on Tuesday.

did not react more strongly to Washington's pressure as the move was expected.

In addition, top exporter plans to raise output to make up for lost supplies.

"It is very unlikely the U.S. will succeed in ending Iranian on this timetable, but we are increasing our estimate of oil likely to come off the market by November to about 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) - another bullish factor for prices," risk consultancy said.

During the last round of sanctions, which ended in 2016, several Asian countries received waivers from allowing them to continue to imports from

This time, already hinted when announcing renewed sanctions in May it was unwilling to grant waivers, and buyers from Japan, and have already started dialling back purchases.

Beyond looming sanctions, other supply disruptions are tightening

In Libya, a power struggle between the government and rebels has left it unclear who will handle the country's large oil exports, although as of Tuesday the of Hariga and Zueitina in were working normally.

In North America, a supply outage at in has locked in 350,000 bpd of crude, with repairs expected to last at least through July.

of said the outage had contributed to a major draw in U.S.

The (API) on Tuesday reported a 9.2 million barrel reduction in U.S. crude inventories in the week to June 22 to 421.4 million barrels.

Trying to make up for disrupted supply, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said late last week it would increase output.

Top exporter and de-facto OPEC plans to pump a record 11 million bpd in July, up from 10.8 million bpd in June.

Despite this, French said the "agreement to elevate output still leaves production restraints in place, limiting the market's ability to rebuild inventories."

"Considering significant future supply losses faced by (under U.S. sanctions) and supply risks in and ... still remain favourable for to rise over the next 6 months despite the OPEC+ decision," BNP said.

(Reporting by Gloystein; Editing by and Neil Fullick)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, June 27 2018. 11:09 IST