Oil rises over 2% as investors weigh market outlook, tariffs, sanctions
Oil prices rose over 2% on Friday as the International Energy Agency said the market was tighter than it appears, while U.S. tariffs and possible further sanctions on Russia were also in focus.
Brent crude futures settled up $1.72, or 2.5%, at $70.36 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.88, or 2.8%, to $68.45 a barrel.
For the week, Brent rose 3%, while WTI had a weekly gain of around 2.2%.
The IEA said the global oil market may be tighter than it appears, with demand supported by peak summer refinery runs to meet travel and power generation.
Front-month September Brent contracts were trading at about a $1.20 premium to October futures.
U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for an 11th straight week, energy services firm Baker Hughes said. The last time that happened was July 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic cut demand for fuel.
Short-term market tightness notwithstanding, the IEA boosted its forecast for supply growth this year, while trimming its outlook for growth in demand, implying a market in surplus.
Source : Reuters
