Oil rises as Saudi Arabia backs producers to stick with supply cuts

Singapore — Oil prices rose on Monday after Saudi Arabia said producer club Opec and Russia should keep supplies restricted at current levels, and in relief that the US withdrew a tariff threat against Mexico, removing a cloud over the global economy.

Despite Monday’s increases, traders said concerns about the health of the global economy and its impact on fuel demand still weigh on oil market sentiment.

Front-month Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $63.61 in early-morning trading, 32c, or 0.5%, above Friday’s close.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $54.32 per barrel, up 33c, or 0.6%.

Traders said crude prices were rising because of statements by Opec’s biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, on Friday saying that the group was close to agreeing extending supply cuts.

“Brent futures continue rising … after the Saudi Arabian energy minister expressed confidence that Opec+ producers will prolong their output cuts programme through the second half of 2019,” said Han Tan, analyst at futures brokerage FXTM.

Opec and some non-members, including Russia, known collectively as Opec+, have been withholding supplies since the start of the year to prop up prices.

Stephen Innes, managing partner at Vanguard Markets, said stronger stock markets also support oil futures.

“With the Mexican stalemate averted and no harmful shockwaves from this weekend G-20 meeting … oil could trade favourably as WTI and Brent will continue to track the broader risk environment high,” Innes said.

Stock markets rose on Monday after a deal between the US and Mexico to combat illegal migration from Central America late last week removed the threat of US tariffs on goods imported from Mexico.

But analysts said concerns about the health of the global economy remain, with the US and China still locked in a trade war.

“Slowing global demand appears to be featuring prominently on the markets’ collective mind, as the fallout from heightened trade tensions continues to be felt in the global economy,” said FXTM’s Tan.

“The sustainability of oil’s recent climb could be determined by the outlooks of several key industry bodies scheduled this week, whereby more downcast projections for global demand could prompt traders to continue chipping away at oil,” he added.

China’s crude oil imports slipped to about 40.23-million tons (9.47-million barrels per day), down from an all-time peak of 43.73-million tons in April, customs data showed on Monday, as the world’s top importer of the commodity curbed shipments from Iran amid tightening US sanctions on that country.

More data is due for release this week. Oil major BP will publish its statistical review of global energy markets on Tuesday, while China is scheduled to publish its monthly commodities output data on Friday.

Reuters