Brent crude is the international benchmark used by OPEC. India imports primarily from OPEC countries. It is the benchmark for oil prices in India. Most of the oil produced in Europe, Africa and the Middle East is priced according to the cost of the Brent crude. Brent crude has a slightly higher API than the WTI. API measures how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water. According to Investopedia, Brent is the reference for about 2/3rd of the oil traded round the world, making it slightly more sensitive to geopolitical tensions. Cost of shipping for Brent crude is typically lower since it is produced near the sea and can be put on ships immediately. Brent futures are primarily traded on the ICE in London. World oil prices on February 24 breached $100 for the first time in more than seven years, this time on supply fears after major producer Russia attacked Ukraine. European benchmark Brent North Sea crude surged more than eight percent to $105.79 per barrel -- the highest level since 2014. The US contract WTI reached $100.54 per barrel, also a peak last seen more than seven years ago. In early 2020, oil briefly turned negative following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic that shut offices and factories -- and grounded planes worldwide. The market tumbled also on scarce storage facilities and a Saudi-Russia price war. Brent tanked to a record low $15.98. Oil prices have since recovered, rocketing to around $70 per barrel as economies reopened from lockdowns, sparking a surge in demand for crude. Russia is a key member of the expanded OPEC+ producers' grouping that also includes number one player Saudi Arabia. In the 2012 Iran crude embargo, oil started the year above $100 after Western powers imposed a raft of economic sanctions on Iran, including crude exports, aimed at halting its controversial nuclear programme. Brent soared to $127 in March 2011 following unrest in the oil-producing Middle East and North Africa region. On July 11, 2008, Brent hit a record high of $147.50 per barrel, having breached $100 at the start of the year for the first time. But by December 2008, Brent had tanked to sit at around $36 owing to a severe economic recession worldwide in the wake of the global financial crisis. More
Brent crude futures rose 28 cents, or 0.42%, to $66.96 a barrel by 0118 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $62.88 a barrel, up 20 cents, or 0.32%
Given ample supplies and low demand, the market looks for real impact on supplies for cues rather than offer knee-jerk responses to perceived threats, experts say.
Lower crude oil prices would give state-run oil marketing companies the headroom to cut retail fuel prices, left unchanged despite sinking oil prices. The OMCs have cited high volatility in crude oil prices in keeping pump prices unchanged.
The benchmark Brent was trading at $73.13 a barrel, 2.43 percent (or $1.82) lower than the previous day’s close
Oil demand growth in the next year to be likely in line with the tepid increase seen in 2024.
With crude oil prices largely trading below $75 a barrel in the second-half of 2024, OPEC is likely to further delay the planned phase-out of the oil supply cuts by three months (or the first quarter of calendar year 2025) to support prices.
If Israel targets Iran’s oil infrastructure, approximately 4% of the world’s oil supply could be at risk. Analysts are particularly concerned about Kharg Island, which is responsible for 90% of Iran's crude exports.
Forex reserves are expected to protect India from immediate shocks, but escalation of war could impact trade and oil prices.
West Texas Intermediate advanced about 3% to top $70 a barrel after earlier slumping as much as 2.7%.
At home, retail fuel prices are determined by the state-run OMCs based on international oil prices as India is dependent on imports for around 87 percent of its crude requirements.
But an end to a dispute halting Libyan exports and soft Chinese demand culminating in oil hitting multi-month lows drove the group to reconsider.
Brent crude futures inched down 4 cents, or 0.1%, to $76.77 a barrel by 0035 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $73.39 a barrel, down 13 cents, or 0.2%.
OPEC+ ministers are scheduled to hold an online Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) meeting on August 1.
Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel.
Brent crude futures for September fell 38 cents, or 0.5%, to $81.33 a barrel by 0129 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September slid 33 cents, or 0.4%, to $77.26 per barrel.
Brent crude futures for September rose 46 cents to $81.47 a barrel by 0020 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 42 cents to $77.38 per barrel.
Brent crude futures for September fell 9 cents to $82.31 a barrel by 0005 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September declined 10 cents to $78.30 per barrel.
Brent crude prices were up 48 cents, or 0.57%, at $83.10 a barrel by 0035 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.52%, to $80.55.
Brent crude prices fell by 51 cents, or 0.6%, to $84.50 a barrel by 0035 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 72 cents, or 0.9%, to $82.10 a barrel.
Brent futures rose 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $85.21 a barrel by 0023 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 31 cents, or 0.4%, to $83.16.
Brent crude oil futures fell by 11 cents, or 0.1%, to $83.62 a barrel by 0010 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were also 11 cents, or 0.1%, lower at $80.65 a barrel.
Brent crude futures fell 55 cents, or 0.7%, to $84.48 a barrel by 0109 GMT after settling down 37 cents on Friday.
Brent crude futures rose 37 cents, or 0.4%, to $85.77 a barrel by 0031 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 50 cents, or 0.6%, to $83.12 a barrel.
Brent futures rose 35 cents, or 0.4% to $85.43 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 36 cents, or 0.5%, to $82.47 a barrel.
Brent futures rose 21 cents to $84.87 a barrel by 0055 GMT, after falling 1.3% in the previous session.