Thursday, March 12,
2020 / 09:29 AM / By NOVA Merchant Bank / Header Image
Credit: The Jakarta Post
Key Highlights
Saudi Arabi Vs. Russia: Everyone Paying
the Price
Beyond the ravaging impact of Covid-19, the unusual
fallout between the OPEC+ coalition further magnified the downside for crude
oil prices over the last few weeks. Specifically, while OPEC had recommended
additional output cut of 1.5mbpd (split 1mbpd for OPEC and 500,000bpd for
non-OPEC) in response to reduced oil demand stemming from the COVID-19 virus,
the main non-OPEC partner in the coalition (Russia) refused to sign on to a
conditional output cut. Accordingly, the fallout in negotiation resulted in a drive
for market share and a neglect of the prevailing 1.7mbpd cut which is expected
to end in March. Further on market share expansion, Saudi Aramco announced a
price slash of its crude exports for April, including a cut for Arab Light
crude for Asia. In response, crude oil prices declined 32% at the opening of
trading on Monday (Mar. 09, 2020) to $34.36/barrel, it however increased to
$35.81/barrel at the end of trading on Wednesday.
Libya Continues to Magnify OPEC Cut
The
continued blockade of export terminals in Libya further magnified OPEC's output
cut in February. The OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report for March released
yesterday showed that the cartel's production declined by 548,000bpd in
February to 27.77mbpd (excluding condensates) compared to a decline of
553,000bpd in January, according to secondary sources. Libya standalone lost
total production of 647,000bpd, with production declining to 146,000bpd.
According to Libya National Oil Corporation, estimated production loss was
1.11mbpd as at March 8, with cumulative financial losses of $2.93 billion since
the declaration of force majeure on January 18. Elsewhere, compared to the
surprise increase in Saudi Arabia in January, the country's production pared in
February with a decline of 56,000bpd. Production in Nigeria maintained the
upward trend, with an increase of 29,000bpd in February, with Iran also pushing
production by 86,000bpd.
Material Revisions to Crude Oil Demand
Amidst Threats of Higher Output
U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its March Short-Term Energy Outlook
(STEO) revised its 2020 forecast for global oil demand growth lower to 0.4mbpd
from its February growth estimate of 1.0mbpd and 1.3mbpd earlier in January.
The cut in forecast largely reflects material adjustments to China oil demand
growth to 0.1mbpd from a forecast of 0.5mbpd in January. Also, adjustments were
implemented across Japan, South Korea, and Italy. The current forecast by EIA
assumes the demand effects from COVID-19 will diminish by Q3 2020, with a
pickup in production over Q4 2020. Although minimal, OPEC also slashed its
crude oil demand forecast growth for 2020 to 0.06mbpd compared to its February
estimate of 0.99mbpd growth estimate. Beyond lower production in China, OPEC
also estimates that oil demand will fall short in various other countries and
regions, such as Japan, South Korea, OECD Europe and some Middle Eastern
countries, as well as in the US. OPEC now estimates total global oil demand at
99.73mbpd in 2020, compared to February estimate of 100.73mbpd. Similar to EIA,
OPEC expects consumption would be higher in H2 20 than in H1 20.
On
supply, following threats of higher output by Russia, Saudi Arabia and even
UAE, the outlook for production has become more uncertain than ever. Also, the
current output cut by OPEC+ is due to end by the end of March, without a
replacement deal in place yet and all members expected to load as much as they
can into the market. Following the fallout of discussions, Saudi Arabia has
threatened to raise production from 9.75mbpd in Q1 2020 to 10.25mbd in the Q2
2020. Russia in the same vein indicated its willingness to increase output by
300,000bpd within three months. Also, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
signalled its intention to boost its supply to the market to over 4mbpd in
April from 3.04mbpd in February. Reflecting the heightened tensions, EIA now
expects OPEC output will average 29.1mbpd over Q2 and Q3 2020, up from 28.7mbpd
in Q1 2020. However, a resolution in Libya could raise the number higher to by
an additional 1.0mbpd. The higher output by OPEC and other producers is
expected to increase total world supply to an average of 102.57mbpd over Q2 and
Q3 (from 100.55mbpd in Q1).
Market Glut Favors Persistent Low Prices
In all,
with the balance of demand and supply indicating a glut in the global oil
market to the tune of 0.34mbpd over 2020 compared to a deficit of 0.11mbpd in
2019, the EIA forecasts Brent crude oil prices will average $43/barrel in 2020,
down from a forecast of $65/barrel in the January. For us, we believe a swift
resolution and negotiation by OPEC and allies could result in an upward
adjustment in prices from the estimated level. Also, if the Cvid-19 outbreak is
brought under control in China by the end of Q1 and minimal infection rate
across other countries could result in a rebound in oil demand with upside
potential for prices. However, an escalation into Q2 2020 could further worsen
the outlook for crude oil demand and a free-fall in prices. Another downside
risk for us is the resumption of production in Libya, which could add
additional 1.0mbpd to current output.
Related News
Signup with Facebook
Signup with Twitter
