financetom
Business
financetom
/
Business
/
Oil prices flat as Middle East conflict counters ample supply outlook
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Oil prices flat as Middle East conflict counters ample supply outlook
Oct 4, 2024 3:49 AM

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Oil prices were subdued on Friday, but remained on track for strong weekly gains, as investors weighed the prospect of a wider Middle East conflict disrupting crude flows against a well-supplied global market.

Brent crude futures were flat at $77.55 a barrel, as of 0646 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were little changed at $73.65 a barrel.

Both benchmarks were headed for weekly gains of about 8%.

Bearish bets on oil have found some room to unwind this week amid mounting concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Middle East, along with optimism that China's recent economic stimulus efforts may offer some uplift in demand, IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong said.

"The question now is whether there will be an actual disruption in crude supplies, and that should keep prices in a waiting game over the weekend," Yeap added.

The U.S. is discussing whether it would support Israeli strikes on Iran's oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said on Thursday, while Israel's military hit Beirut with new airstrikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Biden's comments contributed to a 5% rally in oil prices on Thursday, as Israel weighs its options after its arch-foe Iran launched its largest-ever assault on Tuesday.

"Supply risks are back in focus as tension in the Middle East rises, but we expect the impact to be limited," ANZ analysts said in a note.

While the region accounts for more than a third of the world's oil supply, a direct attack on Iran's oil facilities seems the least likely response among Israel's options, the analysts said.

"Such a move would upset its international partners while a disruption to Iran's oil revenue would likely leave it with little to lose, potentially provoking a more ferocious response."

Concerns over oil supply that drove up prices earlier in the week have also been tempered by OPEC's spare production capacity and the fact that global crude supplies have yet to be disrupted by the Middle East unrest.

Libya's eastern-based government and Tripoli-based National Oil Corp announced on Thursday the reopening of all oilfields and export terminals after a dispute over leadership of the central bank was resolved, ending a crisis that had heavily reduced oil production.

Iran and Libya are both members of OPEC. Iran, which is operating under U.S. sanctions, produced about 4.0 million barrels per day of fuel in 2023, while Libya produced about 1.3 million bpd last year, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
Broadwood Partners Highlights Growing Opposition to STAAR Surgical’s Proposed Sale to Alcon
Broadwood Partners Highlights Growing Opposition to STAAR Surgical’s Proposed Sale to Alcon
Oct 20, 2025
Leading Proxy Advisory Firms ISS, Glass Lewis, and Egan-Jones, as well as Long-Term Shareholders Echo Broadwood’s Concerns over Deeply Deficient Sale Process, Timing, and Price Shareholders Representing More than 34% of STAAR’s Outstanding Common Shares Have Publicly Opposed the Transaction Broadwood Urges All Shareholders to Vote “AGAINST” the Proposed Acquisition NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Broadwood Partners, L.P. and its affiliates...
Form 8.3 - Unite Group plc
Form 8.3 - Unite Group plc
Oct 20, 2025
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--   FORM 8.3 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”) 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: Balyasny Asset Management LP (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee...
Pan Global Starts Phase 2 Drilling at Carmenes Project in Northern Spain
Pan Global Starts Phase 2 Drilling at Carmenes Project in Northern Spain
Oct 20, 2025
08:41 AM EDT, 10/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Pan Global Resources ( PGZFF ) said Monday that drilling has re-started at the Carmenes project in northern Spain where four drillholes are planned to follow-up the highly encouraging gold discovery from the Phase 1 drill campaign at the Providencia target. The Phase 2 program is expected to be completed before year-end. Phase...
Galaxy Digital Files for Resale of Up to 12.8 Million Shares by Selling Stockholders; Shares Up Pre-Bell
Galaxy Digital Files for Resale of Up to 12.8 Million Shares by Selling Stockholders; Shares Up Pre-Bell
Oct 20, 2025
08:44 AM EDT, 10/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Galaxy Digital ( GLXY ) said Monday that it filed a registration statement under which selling stockholders may offer up to 12.8 million shares of class A common stock. The company said it is not selling shares and that all proceeds from the resale will go toward the selling shareholders. Shares of the...
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved