Global oil market faces surplus throughout 2019 as demand slows

London — Global oil supply will outpace demand throughout 2019, as a relentless rise in output swamps growth in consumption that is at risk from a slowing economy, the International Energy Agency (EIA) said on Wednesday.

In its monthly report the Paris-based IEA left its forecast for global demand growth for 2018 and 2019 unchanged from last month at 1.3-million barrels per day (bpd) and 1.4-million, respectively, but cut its forecast for non-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) demand growth, the engine of expansion in world oil consumption.

“In the first half of 2019, based on our outlook for non-oil cartel Opec production and global demand, and assuming flat Opec production … the implied stock build is currently 2-million bpd,” the IEA said.

Output around the world has swelled since the middle of the year, while an escalating trade dispute between the US and China threatens global economic growth. Since early October, the oil price has fallen by a quarter to below $70 a barrel, its lowest in eight months, which may protect demand to an extent, the IEA said.

“While slower economic growth in some countries reduces the outlook for oil demand, a significant downward revision to our price assumption is supportive,” it added.

The agency raised its forecast for oil output growth from countries outside of Opec to 2.4-million bpd this year and 1.9-million next year, compared to its previous estimate of 2.2-million and 1.8-million, respectively.

The US will lead output growth. The IEA estimates total US oil supply will rise by 2.1-million bpd this year and another 1.3-million in 2019, from a current record of more than 11-million bpd.

Opec crude output rose by 200,000 bpd in October to 32.99-million, up 240,000 bpd on a year ago, as losses of 400,000 bpd from Iran and 600,000 from Venezuela were easily offset by increases from others, such as Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.

“Next year, there is expected to be even less need for Opec oil due to relentless growth in non-Opec supply,” the IEA said, adding that it had cut its forecast for demand for Opec crude by 300,000 bpd to 31.3-million bpd in 2019.

Inventories of oil in OECD countries rose by 12.1-million barrels in September to 2.875-billion barrels, the IEA said, adding that for the third quarter as a whole, stocks rose 58.1-million barrels, or at a rate of 630,000 bpd, the biggest increase since 2015.

“Storage tanks are filling up as global oil supply far outpaces demand, prompting talk of a possible 1-million bpd Opec/non-Opec production cut,” the agency said.

Opec, led by Saudi Arabia, and rival producers such as Russia, have floated the possibility of cutting oil production next year to prevent an unwelcome build-up in global inventories, even as Iran now faces US sanctions on its exports.

Reuters