Commercial crude oil stocks rose by 900,000 barrels last week. Analysts had expected crude stocks to fall by 200,000 barrels.
Major Wall Street banks have raised their oil-price forecasts for this year and early next, as stalled efforts to end the Iran war leave the market vulnerable to fresh supply shocks despite a rebound in Middle East crude exports.
The region's major crude producers have ramped up supplies through alternative pipelines, ports and ship-to-ship transfers to navigate disruptions due to the Iran conflict.
Facing potential liability for harms related to climate change, major oil companies have again turned to the US Supreme Court, teeing up a case that could determine the fate of dozens of climate-related lawsuits by state and local governments against fossil fuel companies.
OPEC+ oil-producing countries are likely to keep their oil production targets steady for November when they meet on Sunday, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Oil exports have likely recovered to 23.3 million barrels a day in the week through Sept. 29, roughly in line with their 2025 average, according to Goldman Sachs.
Oil prices were mixed in early Asian trade but may be weighed by signs of production recovery.
Cavendish, the City broker, has retained its ‘buy' rating and 537p target on Jersey Oil and Gas PLC (AIM:JOG, OTC:JYOGF), saying the company offers significant exposure to a recovery in UK North Sea development activity despite delays to the Buchan project. Project timelines have been pushed out, but Cavendish argues the case rests on a fully funded minority stake in a large, discovered resource base with significant infrastructure-led expansion potential at Buchan.
Stocks set for muted open
Saudi Arabia has resumed oil loadings from its Red Sea port of Yanbu after restarting operations on the East-West Pipeline, according to trade sources and shipping data, improving the outlook for oil exports from the Middle East.
The U.S. and Iran are reportedly talking separately to mediators as part of renewed efforts to end the conflict, with regional mediators pushing for ceasefire negotiations. Concerns over energy infrastructure and flows in the region continue to linger due to tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
Crude oil opened higher after Trump rejected Iran's Hormuz proposal, putting WTI's $95.18 and Brent's $99.20 levels in focus this week.