US rate cuts and Middle East Volatility struggle to excite oil markets

The price of crude oil experienced a slight uptick before the weekend, potentially influenced by the unexpected U. S. interest rate cut and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

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Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia: will falling oil prices derail big plans?

Saudi Arabia, whose economy relies heavily on exporting hydrocarbons, is currently facing double-headed challenge: on one hand, it has to boost revenue from selling crude oil that accounts for 70% of the former, despite the sale of the latter being on decline; on the other hand, it still has to fun…

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Oil Prices: two-months' fall continues with no sign of abating!

The loss of crude oil prices shows no sign of abating for the second successive month, defying two major factors that in theory should reverse the trend; they are the volatility in the Middle East around Israel and the suspension of oil exports from two key Libyan ports, coupled with slow productio…

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OPEC+: Easing production cuts in October and non-compliance challenges of the members

Amidst the volatility in the Middle East and the evolving concerns over the health of the global economy as a whole, the ministers of the OPEC+, OPEC countries plus Russia, are facing the same old dilemma before their next meeting - restoring the production cuts as promised in October or maintainin…

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Crude Oil Markets: falling Chinese diesel consumption and Rising Russian Oil Exports

With the impact of the Middle Eastern volatility on crude oil prices having diminished, aside from minor spikes during occasional military flare-ups, long-term demand concerns now seem to be the primary driver of oil markets. Although the atmosphere in the Middle East is far from settled, the ground…

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Oil prices slightly recover, but volatility remains in the Middle East

Crude oil prices started falling on Monday as the markets opened for business, despite the extreme volatility in the Middle East that bordered on a major military conflict.  At present, Iran - and its allies - and Israel are on the brink of a major confrontation, unless a face-saving move is made co…

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The Crude Reality: oil prices are back in static territory!

As the prevailing tensions in the Middle East gradually ease, the short-lived spike in oil prices appears to be dying  down, leaving the oil markets back at the mercy of the usual factors.  With the two successive assassinations of key figures,  a few hours apart,  in the conflict in the Middle East, …

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