- WTI price gained ground due to rising geopolitical tensions amid reports that Iran may attack Israel.
- Israeli intelligence believes Iran intends to launch numerous drones and ballistic missiles before the US presidential election.
- US Oil production increased by 1.5% in August, reaching a monthly record high of 13.4 million barrels per day.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price holds steady on Friday during Asian trading hours, around $70.20 per barrel, following gains in the previous session. Crude Oil prices were bolstered by rising geopolitical tensions amid reports that Iran may be planning a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraqi territory in the near future.
According to a Reuters report citing Axios, two unnamed Israeli sources revealed that Israeli intelligence believes Iran intends to launch an attack from Iraq, potentially involving numerous drones and ballistic missiles, possibly before the US presidential election on November 5.
Furthermore, the OPEC+ coalition, which comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, including Russia, may delay its planned output increase for December by at least a month amid concerns over weak oil demand and rising supply.
Originally, the group had aimed to boost production by 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December, but this increase was previously postponed from October due to falling prices, according to four sources familiar with the situation, as reported by Reuters on Wednesday.
US Oil production increased by 1.5% in August, reaching a monthly record high of 13.4 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the US Energy Information Administration's (EIA) latest Oil and natural gas production report. This figure surpasses the previous record of 13.31 million bpd set in December 2023. In major Oil-producing states, Texas saw a 1.7% rise in output to a record 5.82 million bpd, while New Mexico's production climbed 2.8%, reaching a record 2.09 million bpd.
WTI Oil FAQs
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD remains subdued as US Dollar appreciates ahead of Nonfarm Payrolls
The Australian Dollar remains tepid against the US Dollar following two days of gains, as Australia's mixed PPI data for the third quarter was released on Friday. However, expectations of a hawkish stance from the Reserve Bank of Australia continue to support the Aussie Dollar, limiting losses in the AUD/USD pair.
USD/JPY: Japanese Yen loses ground as manufacturing production continues to decline
The Japanese Yen retraces some of its recent gains following the release of the Manufacturing PMI by Jibun Bank and S&P Global on Friday. However, the USD/JPY pair declined as the JPY strengthened after post-meeting comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda on Thursday.
Gold price gains ground as traders brace for US NFP data
Gold price recovers some lost ground on Friday. The uncertainties surrounding the US presidential election and the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East provide some support to the precious metal, a traditional safe-haven asset.
Bitcoin declines as resistance emerges near all-time high
Bitcoin and Ethereum are approaching their key support levels, and a sustained close below these marks could lead to further declines. Similarly, Ripple is nearing its critical support level, where a firm close below would indicate a continuation of its downtrend.
Bank of Japan holds rates steady amid signs of modest GDP growth
Monthly industrial production results have been mixed but generally indicate a modest recovery in third-quarter GDP. Clear guidance from the Bank of Japan remains elusive, with each upcoming meeting being pivotal.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.