MPOC expects palm oil demand to increase in China and India as prices become more competitive.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council said that demand for palm oil from major global buyers China, and India will increase because the vegetable oil has become more affordable compared to its competitors. The MPOC stated that palm oil was now "reasonably-priced" at 3,900 Ringgit ($889) for a metric ton. It added that the prices would likely remain at this level due to a rebound in soybean oil.
Baker Hughes reports that US drillers have added oil and gas rigs to their fleet for the first time in 4 weeks.

Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. added oil and gas rigs this week for the first time since four weeks. The number of oil and gas rigs, a good indicator of future production, increased by two in the week ending April 17 to 585. Baker Hughes published the rig counts report one day earlier on Thursday, due to Good Friday.
US EIA warns that tariffs and trade uncertainties will lower oil demand
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) monthly short-term Energy Outlook report on Thursday said that recent developments in global trade policies are expected to reduce global oil and fuel consumption growth through 2026. As a result of the uncertainty created by a possible lower global growth rate and higher oil supplies, the U.S.
Oil below $60 puts US producers in a tough position regarding growth and capital returns
Analysts have warned that a drop in oil prices to below $60 per barrel as a result of an intensifying trade war could cause anxiety throughout the U.S. Oil Patch, forcing companies to take additional measures, including reducing share buybacks or capital expenditures. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures (WTI) fell to their lowest levels since February 2021 as tariffs introduced by U.S.
Sources say Vitol will post a net profit of $8 to $8.5 billion in 2024.
Two industry sources said that Vitol was the world's largest energy trader in 2024. This is a significant drop from its record-breaking profits of 2022 and 203, but it still outperformed rivals by an enormous margin, despite lower volatility. The energy traders made record profits between 2022 and 2023, as the market recovered from the pandemic.
US EIA delays short-term outlook report amid oil market downturn
Energy Information Administration (EIA) in the United States announced on Monday that it will delay publication of its "Short-Term Energy Outlook Report" (STEO), amid a drop in oil prices nearing four-year lows due to growing fears of a worldwide recession. EIA announced in an email that the report scheduled for publication on Tuesday…
Stocks of tech and bank companies plummet as China's retaliation fuels fears of a wider trade war
U.S. tech giants, banks, and oil majors all fell on Friday, after China responded to Trump's new tariffs by imposing steep duties. This heightened fears of an economic recession around the world. China has imposed additional duties of 34 percent on U.S. products, which will take effect on April 10. China also announced a ban on the export of certain rare-earths, and added a number of U.S.
Russell: Renewables and gas are gaining ground on coal and oil

The latest review of the International Energy Agency shows that renewables and gas are the most popular energy sources. In its Global Energy Review published on Monday, the IEA described this growth rate as "faster-than-average". Electricity, the fastest growing sector, grew 4.3% by 2024 or almost twice the average annual growth rate of the last decade.
Russell: OPEC and IEA are focused on China's oil demand but it is the crude imports that matter.

What is more important to the crude oil market? Which is more important: the growth forecasts by major agencies of Chinese oil demand or the actual weakness of imports? The International Energy Agency (IEA), as well as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), both talk about the demand for oil when they forecast the future of the oil industry in China…
Russell: OPEC and IEA are focused on China's oil demand but it is the crude imports that matter.

What is more important to the crude oil market? Which is more important: the growth forecasts by major agencies of Chinese oil demand or the actual weakness of imports? The International Energy Agency (IEA), as well as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), both talk about the demand for oil when they forecast the future of the oil industry in China…
OPEC holds view that demand is not a concern, despite claims by Kazakhstan to lead the jump in OPEC+ production

OPEC announced on Wednesday that Kazakhstan was the country responsible for a significant increase in crude production in February by the wider OPEC+ group. This highlights a challenge facing the producer group to enforce adherence of agreed output targets. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reported that OPEC+ - which includes OPEC…
UAE's ADNOC CEO pledges US gas investment
ADNOC's international investment arm will begin investing in U.S. Natural Gas in the next few months, according to ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber. The UAE is a part of OPEC+ and is one of the top oil producers in the world. ADNOC’s wholly owned international investment arm XRG, which has assets of about $80 billion, reported last week that the UAE is considering options for a XRG IPO.
EIA reports that US oil and natural gas production reached a record high in December.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Friday that U.S. crude and natural gas production set records in December and oil demand reached multi-month highs. The EIA reported that crude oil production reached 13,491 million barrels a day (bpd), up from 13,314 million in November, and surpassing the previous all-time record of 13.436 in October.
Shell's scenarios predict significant LNG growth within the next few years
Shell published scenarios on Wednesday that showed a rapid rise in global demand for liquefied gas. Gas will probably have a gradual increase, and oil could peak at the start of the next decade. The British energy company created three scenarios to model energy security on a long-term basis, but said that these do not reflect their strategy or business plans.
Shell's scenarios predict significant LNG growth within the next few years
Shell published scenarios on Wednesday that showed a rapid rise in global demand for liquefied gas. Gas will probably have a gradual increase, and oil could peak at the start of the next decade. The British energy company created three scenarios to model energy security on a long-term basis, but said that these do not reflect their strategy or business plans.
BP promises fundamental reset as Q4 profit hit four-year low

BP announced a quarterly profit of $1.1 billion on Tuesday. This was lower than expected, and the lowest since 2004. The company also promised to reset its strategic direction after it became known that Elliott Management, an investor, had acquired a stake. BP has experienced a decline of earnings for the entire year 2024. This follows two years of record earnings…
Palm oil prices rise on Dalian oil demand and stronger Dalian crudes

Malaysian palm oils futures closed higher on Wednesday. They were boosted by the stronger Dalian edible oil, and traders were hopeful about a possible resumption in palm oil demand out of India. At the close, the benchmark April palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange rose 24 ringgit or 0.56% to 4,332 Ringgit per metric ton. The contract fell 1.35% Tuesday.
TotalEnergies' fourth-quarter profits drop on low oil demand
TotalEnergies, the French oil giant, reported a 15% decline in its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday. The company closed out a year that was marked by low oil and fuel prices. This was partially offset by increased electricity sales and trading of liquefied gas. The adjusted net income for 2024's final quarter was $4.4 billion.
Palm oil prices rise on Dalian oil demand and stronger Dalian crudes
The price of Malaysian palm oils futures recovered from early losses, with the help of gains in Dalian edible oil, and traders are optimistic about a possible resumption in demand for palm oil from India. At midday, the benchmark April palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange rose 20 ringgit (0.46%) to 4,328 Ringgit ($977.64). The contract fell 1.35% on Monday.
OPEC and Saudi Arabia spare oil production capacity

A U.S. official stated on Tuesday that U.S. president Donald Trump would restore his "maximum-pressure" campaign against Iran and bring its oil exports down to zero. This would increase oil prices, and force others to pump even more. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, along with other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)…