Oil Prices Edge Higher

EghtesadOnline: Crude oil prices rose on Monday as storms closed in on the Gulf of Mexico, shutting more than half its oil production, and on coronavirus optimism after US regulators approved the use of blood plasma from recovered patients as a treatment option.

News ID: ۷۵۰۸۰۵

25 August 2020

Brent futures gained 9 cents, or 0.2%, to $44.44 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 9 cents, or 0.2%, to $42.43 a barrel, CNBC reported.

On Sunday, Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura tore through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, forcing energy companies to pull workers from offshore platforms and shut down oil output.

Producers had shut 58% of the Gulf’s offshore oil output and 45% of natural gas supply on Sunday. The region accounts for 17% of total US oil production and 5% of US natural gas output.

“Crude prices rose as double trouble in the Atlantic could lead to huge disruptions with oil operations in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA in New York.

“Oil’s gains, however, are likely to be muted as virus uncertainty continues to weigh on the crude demand outlook.”

US President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed FDA authorization of a coronavirus treatment that uses blood plasma from recovered patients.

Caption: Brent futures gained 9 cents, or 0.2%, to $44.44 a barrel on Monday.