February 15, 2022
A scarcely covered event late last month offers a blunt insight into the status of our domestic oil supply.
Many industry observers are predicting oil crossing the $100 per barrel price mark this summer or sooner.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude — the global standard — has recently breached the $93 threshold (another seven-year high). West Texas Intermediate, the U.S benchmark for crude, recently crossed the $91 mark. Forecasts persist that energy demand will remain strong through the year, while the supply of oil looks to be sporadic. Geo-political pressures, constrained Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production policies, supply-chain problems, and increasing gasoline demand as the pandemic wanes, all remain issues impacting the price of oil.
Here is some quick context on a few factors that are apparently lining up to push energy prices upward:
Geo-political tensions: Russia’s recent threats to invade Ukraine could disrupt global energy markets in general. For instance, if a military incursion into Ukraine occurs and the United Nations responds with economic sanctions on Russia, the Russians could retaliate by limiting natural gas shipments to a much-dependent Europe during the winter. Further, as the world’s second-largest oil producer able to move global markets, Russia could simply throttle back oil production, causing a worldwide spike in oil prices. Europe would bear much of the brunt during any upheaval as it will feel pressure from decades of adopting green energy policies (e.g., mothballing nuclear plants, coal plant shutdowns, bans on shale fracking).
OPEC: OPEC and its allies have struggled in recent months to meet targets for higher production. One of a number of reasons oil production targets have suffered is because of unrest in Kazakhstan and Libya, causing U.S. oil prices to gradually rise from the $50 per barrel range of a year ago.1 Saudi Arabia, among the few exporters capable of raising production quickly, has so far refused to make up for its OPEC partners unmet quotas. President Biden has been imploring OPEC to raise production to bring relief, but OPEC appears to be in no hurry to make meaningful increases.
Supply chain problems: As mentioned in geo-political tensions, if a Russian natural gas embargo occurred, it would likely exacerbate regional energy supply chain issues in a world already beset by stubborn supply chain issues. Gas could be rationed. In turn, manufacturers who rely on Russian gas could be forced to shut down, further damaging local economies. Spillover effects could constrain petroleum supplies that power factories or affect aviation, rail and road transportation.
Pent-up gasoline demand post-pandemic: Strangely, the current high pump prices have not dented demand. Populations will likely resume more and more regular activities and usage will accelerate as the omicron virus appears to be peaking.
U.S. oil frackers have not completely jumped back into the market just yet although drilling rig counts in the Texas Permian Basin have risen slightly late last month.2
Many observers of the petroleum industry will recall that in 2014, with oil prices well over $100, OPEC and U.S. shale producers dueled in a titanic struggle over market share that eventually increased supply, forcing prices well below the $100-mark.
But for the moment, it appears that a stage for vulnerability to high oil prices is in place as stockpiles are stressed and capacity is not meeting demand.
1 Reuters, Jan. 12, https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-oil-producers-ramp-up-fracking-sign-stronger-output-gains-2022-01-12/
2 Oilprice.com, Jan. 28, https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/US-Rig-Count-Rises-Along-With-Crude-Prices.html Commerce does not provide tax advice or legal advice to customers. While we may provide information or express general opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are not offered as professional tax or legal advice. Consult a tax specialist regarding tax implications related to any product and specific financial situation.
This material is intended to provide general information only, may be of value to the reader and audience, and is reflective of the opinions of Commerce Trust.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank. Securities and Advisory services provided through Commerce Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC, and a registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Commerce Bank.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular security, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or investment professional. The information in this commentary should not be construed as an individual recommendation of any kind. Strategies discussed here in a general manner may not be appropriate for everyone.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against all risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions and other information in the investment commentary are as of February 15, 2022.
Commerce does not provide tax advice or legal advice to customers. Consult a tax specialist regarding tax implications related to any product or specific financial situation. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed, and is subject to change rapidly as additional information regarding global conditions may change. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice depending upon worldwide market, economic or political conditions.
A scarcely covered event late last month offers a blunt insight into the status of our domestic oil supply.
Many industry observers are predicting oil crossing the $100 per barrel price mark this summer or sooner.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude — the global standard — has recently breached the $93 threshold (another seven-year high). West Texas Intermediate, the U.S benchmark for crude, recently crossed the $91 mark. Forecasts persist that energy demand will remain strong through the year, while the supply of oil looks to be sporadic. Geo-political pressures, constrained Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production policies, supply-chain problems, and increasing gasoline demand as the pandemic wanes, all remain issues impacting the price of oil.
Here is some quick context on a few factors that are apparently lining up to push energy prices upward:
Geo-political tensions: Russia’s recent threats to invade Ukraine could disrupt global energy markets in general. For instance, if a military incursion into Ukraine occurs and the United Nations responds with economic sanctions on Russia, the Russians could retaliate by limiting natural gas shipments to a much-dependent Europe during the winter. Further, as the world’s second-largest oil producer able to move global markets, Russia could simply throttle back oil production, causing a worldwide spike in oil prices. Europe would bear much of the brunt during any upheaval as it will feel pressure from decades of adopting green energy policies (e.g., mothballing nuclear plants, coal plant shutdowns, bans on shale fracking).
OPEC: OPEC and its allies have struggled in recent months to meet targets for higher production. One of a number of reasons oil production targets have suffered is because of unrest in Kazakhstan and Libya, causing U.S. oil prices to gradually rise from the $50 per barrel range of a year ago.1 Saudi Arabia, among the few exporters capable of raising production quickly, has so far refused to make up for its OPEC partners unmet quotas. President Biden has been imploring OPEC to raise production to bring relief, but OPEC appears to be in no hurry to make meaningful increases.
Supply chain problems: As mentioned in geo-political tensions, if a Russian natural gas embargo occurred, it would likely exacerbate regional energy supply chain issues in a world already beset by stubborn supply chain issues. Gas could be rationed. In turn, manufacturers who rely on Russian gas could be forced to shut down, further damaging local economies. Spillover effects could constrain petroleum supplies that power factories or affect aviation, rail and road transportation.
Pent-up gasoline demand post-pandemic: Strangely, the current high pump prices have not dented demand. Populations will likely resume more and more regular activities and usage will accelerate as the omicron virus appears to be peaking.
U.S. oil frackers have not completely jumped back into the market just yet although drilling rig counts in the Texas Permian Basin have risen slightly late last month.2
Many observers of the petroleum industry will recall that in 2014, with oil prices well over $100, OPEC and U.S. shale producers dueled in a titanic struggle over market share that eventually increased supply, forcing prices well below the $100-mark.
But for the moment, it appears that a stage for vulnerability to high oil prices is in place as stockpiles are stressed and capacity is not meeting demand.
1 Reuters, Jan. 12, https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-oil-producers-ramp-up-fracking-sign-stronger-output-gains-2022-01-12/
2 Oilprice.com, Jan. 28, https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/US-Rig-Count-Rises-Along-With-Crude-Prices.html Commerce does not provide tax advice or legal advice to customers. While we may provide information or express general opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are not offered as professional tax or legal advice. Consult a tax specialist regarding tax implications related to any product and specific financial situation.
This material is intended to provide general information only, may be of value to the reader and audience, and is reflective of the opinions of Commerce Trust.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank. Securities and Advisory services provided through Commerce Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC, and a registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Commerce Bank.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular security, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or investment professional. The information in this commentary should not be construed as an individual recommendation of any kind. Strategies discussed here in a general manner may not be appropriate for everyone.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against all risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions and other information in the investment commentary are as of February 15, 2022.
Commerce does not provide tax advice or legal advice to customers. Consult a tax specialist regarding tax implications related to any product or specific financial situation. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed, and is subject to change rapidly as additional information regarding global conditions may change. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice depending upon worldwide market, economic or political conditions.
