IEA lifts 2022 average crude oil price assumption
The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Tuesday upped its average Brent crude oil price assumption for 2022 to $79.40 a bbl, but predicted a rally may ease off as prices that hit a three-year high last month push up global production.
The Paris-based IEA said on Tuesday that much of the uptick in supply is due to come from the United States.
A hurricane battered the main U.S. production and export hub in the Gulf coast in late August, but U.S. output made up for half the increase in global oil production last month.
But the IEA said in its monthly report that U.S. production, despite climbing, would not return to pre-pandemic levels until the end of next year. It is due to account for 60% of non-OPEC+ supply gains in 2022.
"The world oil market remains tight by all measures, but a reprieve from the price rally could be on the horizon ... due to rising oil supplies," the IEA said.
"Current prices provide a strong incentive to boost (U.S.) activity even as operators stick to capital discipline pledges."
The IEA's price assumption reflects forward prices for Brent crude. The agency does not always include a reference to price assumptions in its report, but does so when it considers the assumption important to understanding its oil supply and demand forecasts, the agency said.
The IEA price assumption of $79.40 a bbl for Brent in 2022 is $2.60 higher than in the agency's last monthly report. The agency's assumption for 2021 is $71.50 a bbl.
Oil stored in industry stocks for OECD countries dropped by 51 MM bbl in September, and were 250 MM bbl below the five-year average and at their lowest since the start of 2015. Preliminary October data pointed to a slight increase.
"Global oil demand is strengthening due to robust gasoline consumption and increasing international travel as more countries re-open their borders," the IEA said.
But it said an uptick in coronavirus cases in Europe, weaker industrial activity and higher oil prices could dent demand.
The IEA kept its outlook for oil demand growth largely steady at 5.5 MMbpd for 2021 and 3.4 MMbpd next year.
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