Nov WTI crude oil (CLX24) today is down -1.39 (-1.84%), and Nov RBOB gasoline (RBX24) is down -4.18 (-1.94%).

Crude oil and gasoline prices today are moderately lower.  Today's rally in the dollar index (DXY00) to a 2-month high is undercutting energy prices.  Also, concerns about Chinese energy demand are weighing on crude prices after China's Finance Ministry failed to give specifics about additional stimulus measures on Saturday.  Losses in crude are limited after the S&P 500 rallied to a new record high, which shows confidence in the economic outlook that supports energy demand and crude prices.  Also, heightened Middle East tensions are underpinning crude prices on concern an escalation of hostilities could lead to a disruption of the region's crude supplies.

Weaker-than-expected trade news from China negatively affects global growth and energy demand prospects.  China Sep exports rose +2.4% y/y, weaker than expectations of +6.0% y/y.  Also, Sep imports rose +0.3% y/y, weaker than expectations of +0.8% y/y.

Crude prices have support from the possibility that Israel might retaliate against Iran for its missile attack on Israel on October 1 Israel by bombing Iran's oil facilities.   Goldman Sachs said Brent crude could surge to $90 a bbl if oil exports from Iran are disrupted.  Also, JPMorgan Chase said that given the low level of global oil inventories, the odds favor a sustained geopolitical premium in crude prices until the conflict between Israel and Iran is resolved.  

An increase in crude oil held worldwide on tankers is bearish for prices.  Vortexa reported today that crude oil stored on tankers that have been stationary for at least seven days rose by +24% w/w to 58.58 million bbl in the week ended October 11.

A bearish factor for crude oil is ramped-up crude output in Libya after the resolution of a political standoff that had curbed the country's crude production and exports.  Libya's National Oil Corp said Tuesday that Libya's crude production rose to 1.13 million bpd, the most in two months, which boosts global crude supplies.

Crude prices found support after OPEC+ on September 5 agreed to pause its scheduled crude production hike of 180,000 bpd in October and November due to recent weakness in crude prices and signs of fragile global energy demand.  However, the Financial Times reported on September 26 that Saudi Arabia is ready to abandon its unofficial oil price target of $100 a barrel to regain its market share and is committed to returning its crude production as planned on December 1.  

A decline in Russian crude exports is supportive of crude.  Weekly vessel-tracking data from Bloomberg showed Russian crude exports fell by -370,000 bpd to 3.37 million bpd in the week to October 6.  Also,  Russia's Energy Ministry reported last Wednesday that Russia's Sep crude production was 8.97 million bpd, down -13,000 bpd from Aug and just below the 8.98 million bpd output target it agreed to with OPEC+.

Last Wednesday's EIA report showed that (1) US crude oil inventories as of October 4 were -4.0% below the seasonal 5-year average, (2) gasoline inventories were -3.7% below the seasonal 5-year average, and (3) distillate inventories were -9.0% below the 5-year seasonal average.  US crude oil production in the week ending October 4 rose +0.8% w/w to 13.4 million bpd, tying the record high from the week of August 16.

Baker Hughes reported last Friday that active US oil rigs in the week ending October 11 rose by +2 rigs to  481 rigs, just above the 2-1/2 year low of 477 rigs posted in the week ending July 19.  The number of US oil rigs has fallen over the past year from the 4-year high of 627 rigs posted in December 2022.
 

• Crude Prices Slip on Energy Demand Concerns as US Consumer Sentiment Declines
• Crude Slightly Lower as US Consumer Sentiment Unexpectedly Declined
• Crude Closes Sharply Higher on Heightened Geopolitical Risks in the Middle East
• Ramped-Up War Rhetoric in the Middle East Boosts Crude Prices