The U.S. benchmark has shed more than 5% this week, while the Brent global benchmark is down 7.2%. Crude oil futures have lost all gains for the year.
Oil futures rose Thursday, attempting to get their footing after falling to their lows of 2024 on fears of an economic slowdown.
OPEC+ is nearing an agreement to delay an oil output increase scheduled to start in October after oil prices hit their lowest in nine months, two sources from the producer group told Reuters on Thursday.
Oil prices rise as U.S. crude inventories plunge and OPEC+ considers delaying output hikes. Read the latest on demand concerns and price forecasts.
Signs of weaker oil demand have pulled prices for the commodity to their lowest levels of the year, complicating plans by major oil producers to increase crude production in the fourth quarter.
OPEC+ delays and a strong U.S. dollar impact oil prices. Market sentiment remains bearish with key resistance levels posing challenges for further upside.
Oil was attempting to hold its line in early trade on Thursday after an overnight sell-off, as players grappled with weak demand alongside a possible delay to more supply entering the market next month.
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after OPEC+ sources said that it was talking about holding back a plan to boost output in October due to concerns over demand and production possibly coming back to Libya.
The cartel and its allies will determine whether oil prices climb or fall, depending on delegates decide to extend output reductions.
If producer group OPEC+ doesn't reduce production further, the average price of oil could drop to $60 per barrel in 2025 due to reduced demand and increased supply from non-OPEC countries, Citi said in a note on Wednesday.
The crude oil market has been very noisy during the early hours of Wednesday, as the markets are going to continue to watch the idea of the shrinking demand in China, and the idea that the world's economy might be slipping.
In 2023, the U.S. produced more oil than any country in history. This comes as fossil fuel and renewable energy subsidies face scrutiny.