Another week, another set of hurricane-impacted data. US crude output fell more than 1m b/d last as the Gulf of Mexico region endured Hurricane Nate. However, judging by the industry’s ability to ramp production up back quickly we don’t expect the decline to be long lasting. The supply outages helped push inventories lower, down 5.7m bbl last week. Refinery demand also edged lower as seasonal turnarounds are underway.
Source: EIKON, Emirates NBD Research
US crude exports bounced strongly, chasing higher international prices. In the last four weeks, US crude exports have averaged 1.64m b/d, higher than several OPEC producers. Market speculation that OPEC will extend its deal until the end of 2018 along with a WTI calendar strip at more than USD 50/b should send a signal to the market to accept more production growth from the US next year and more Texan oil hitting OPEC’s key markets.