Nigeria’s Oil Grades Supply Falls Below Demand in Europe
Nigeria records a low oil supply for August loading at the time when European countries are willing to pay a premium on the nation’s crude grades. Oil report indicates that crude loading programmes for August started was issued on Tuesday, while the latest official selling prices for July were still awaited.
However, oil market data shows that the August Qua Iboe loading programme issued Tuesday shows lower supplies. Nigerian grades have risen recently due to higher European demand as lockdowns are eased.
“Qua Iboe was last offered at dated Brent plus $1.50 to $1.60 a barrel, depending on loading dates”, oil market data tracked by MarketForces Africa shows.
In a related development, oil prices rose on Tuesday over bullish market sentiments of a sooner-than-expected demand rebound. International benchmark Brent crude crossed to $75.26 per barrel after a 0.48% increase from $74.90 a barrel yesterday.
American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $73.33 a barrel at the same time for a 0.28% rise after ending the previous session at $73.12 per barrel.
Brent oil reached its highest level since April 2019 at $75.60 and WTI attained the highest since October 2018 at $73.33.
As the global number of daily coronavirus cases has dropped significantly and domestic and international restrictions have eased in line with the wider use of vaccines against COVID-19.
The crude oil market has become tighter with more hopes of a quicker demand rebound, ensuring prices have reached record highs.
India, one of the worst-hit countries, saw the lowest daily count in 88 days, reporting 53,256 new COVID-19 cases during the past day.
France announced the final relaxing of restrictions during a news conference on Monday given by the Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot following morning meetings with some top industry professionals of the country, according to BFM TV.
From June 30, performances with standing crowds at 75% indoor capacity and 100% outdoor capacity will be permitted in the country. From July 9, nightclubs will be allowed to reopen.
However, a full global recovery is still not in sight yet, as some countries are battling the virus and the vaccination rates are still low in some parts of the world.
Bangladesh imposed regional restrictions Monday on movements in more districts as the virus situation spiraled out of control and started creating new hotspots outside the capital Dhaka.
Over 2.66 billion vaccine doses have been provided globally, equating to 35 doses per 100 persons.
Africa has the slowest rate of vaccination of any continent, with several governments yet to begin major vaccination campaigns.
US-Iran talks still at stalemate
The stalemate in the indirect talks between the US and Iran continues to exert upward pressure on oil prices as negotiations paused in the Austrian capital due to Iran’s presidential elections.
On Monday, Iran’s President-elect Ebrahim Raeisi called on the US to fulfill its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, ruling out new negotiations on the country’s nuclear program.
Addressing his first news conference after winning the June 18 presidential election, Raeisi said his message to the Joe Biden administration is to return to its obligations under the deal and lift sanctions imposed on Tehran.
Raeisi said Washington must be “held accountable” for violating its commitments under the nuclear deal, also known as JCPOA. Noting that he would not meet US President Biden, he said Iran’s negotiating team currently engaged in negotiations with world powers in Vienna to revive the nuclear deal would follow up on the talks.
He added that the removal of sanctions and the US return to its commitments under the deal would be followed by verification by Iran.
Nigeria’s Oil Grades Supply Falls Below Demand in Europe
