- WTI Crude Oil trades near $63.06, up nearly 2% intraday on Tuesday.
- Canadian wildfires disrupt 350,000 barrels per day of oil output, fueling supply concerns.
- The escalating Russia–Ukraine conflict and stalled Iran–US talks are keeping the Oil market tight.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil prices continue their upward trajectory on Tuesday, marking the second day of gains. At the time of writing, WTI is hovering near Monday’s high, trading around $63.06 per barrel, reflecting a nearly 2% increase on the day. The rally reflects a mix of Canadian production disruptions, mounting geopolitical tensions, and a softer US Dollar (USD), all of which are providing a favorable backdrop for Crude bulls.
Wildfires in Alberta have shut down close to 350,000 barrels per day of Oil production, equivalent to around 7% of the province’s total output. While not a massive hit to global supply, the disruption is significant enough to add fuel to the ongoing Oil price rally. The temporary closures, prompted by safety concerns near key Oil Sands sites, come at a time when markets are already on edge over geopolitical tensions.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified with recent drone attacks on Russian airfields, followed by retaliatory strikes on Kyiv. These developments have reignited fears of potential disruptions to Russian Oil infrastructure. On Monday, Russia and Ukraine held their second round of direct peace talks following a sharp escalation in hostilities the previous day, but the discussions ended without significant progress.
Meanwhile, mixed signals from Iran–US nuclear negotiations have also kept market participants on edge. An Iranian diplomat indicated that Tehran is poised to reject a US proposal aimed at resolving the decades-old nuclear standoff. Although the fifth round of talks in Rome last month yielded some progress, the outlook remains uncertain, limiting the potential return of sanctioned Iranian barrels to global markets.
Adding to the bullish tone, a broadly weaker US Dollar is helping to lift commodity prices across the board. A softer Greenback makes US Dollar-denominated assets, such as Crude Oil, more affordable for foreign buyers, thereby increasing demand and further supporting WTI prices in the near term.
WTI Oil FAQs
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
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