SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose on Thursday, supported by expectations the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran, a decline in output in Venezuela and ongoing strong demand.
Brent crude oil futures were at 74.27 per barrel at 0643 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 14 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $68.19 per barrel.
Traders said markets climbed on expectations that the United States will in May re-impose sanctions against Iran, a major oil producer and member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he expected US President Donald Trump to pull out of a deal with Iran reached in 2015, in which Iran suspended its nuclear program in return for western powers lifting crippling sanctions.
Trump will decide by May 12 whether to restore US sanctions on Tehran, which would likely result in a reduction of its oil exports.
Further pushing oil prices has been declining output in Venezuela, OPEC’s biggest producer in Latin America.
Venezuela’s crude production has fallen from almost 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in early 2016 to around 1.5 million bpd due to political and economic turmoil.
US oil major Chevron Corp. has evacuated executives from Venezuela after two of its workers were imprisoned over a contract dispute with state-owned oil company PDVSA.
Venezuela’s plunging output and looming US sanctions against Iran come against a backdrop of strong demand, especially in Asia, the world’s biggest oil consuming region.
However, not all market indicators point toward tighter supplies.
US crude oil inventories rose by 2.2 million barrels in the week to April 20, to 429.74 million barrels. That’s almost 10 million barrels above the five-year average.
US crude production climbed by 46,000 barrels per day (bpd) on the previous week, to 10.59 bpd. That’s an increase of more than a quarter since mid-2016.
American crude oil output has overtaken that of top exporter Saudi Arabia. Only Russia currently produces more, at around 11 million bpd.
The soaring US output has made WTI crude around $6 per barrel cheaper than Brent, the international benchmark for oil prices.
Dutch bank ING said “the wide discount for WTI to Brent saw exports rising 582,000 bpd week-on-week to a record high of 2.33 million bpd.”
With US output and exports surging, some analysts warn that the 20-percent climb in Brent prices since February is starting to look overdone.
“The market does look a little toppish,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader.
Oil prices rise on Iran sanctions worries, decline in Venezuelan output
Oil prices rise on Iran sanctions worries, decline in Venezuelan output
Six vital sectors drawing US investors to Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Six vital sectors are drawing US investors, including entrepreneurs and small businesses, to Saudi markets as the Kingdom continues to develop its regulatory framework and foster innovation, Deborah Lehr, interim CEO of the Meridian International Center, said in an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah.
Lehr, who is heading a trade and investment delegation to Saudi Arabia in her capacity as an economic advisor affiliated with the White House, stated that the six sectors include hospitality, luxury goods, and tourism, as well as culture, technology, and others.
She noted that Saudi Arabia has significantly eased the process for foreign companies to establish a presence, a critical factor for small and medium-sized enterprises that may not yet have the scale to expand, making the Kingdom an attractive market for both large and innovative small companies.
Following the success of the Saudi Crown Prince’s recent visit to Washington, she said, Meridian organized a US trade delegation to explore tangible and growing opportunities for US businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Translating Vision 2030 priorities into real partnerships
The delegation, which included representatives from Delta, Intel, Pernod Ricard, and Basilinna, among others, met a wide range of government officials, private-sector leaders, and entrepreneurs to explore how US companies can participate in Saudi market growth.
According to Lehr, discussions were practical and forward-looking, focusing on translating Vision 2030 priorities into real business partnerships.
She highlighted that most of the companies in the delegation were large enterprises operating across various sectors, underscoring the diversity of businesses active in Saudi Arabia.
She pointed out that these companies joined the mission because they see the potential to scale their operations in Saudi Arabia — whether by increasing flight routes, enhancing airport security, offering advisory services to firms entering the Saudi or US markets, or exploring opportunities in the beverage sector.
Relationship increasingly taking economic dimension
Lehr hinted to the Saudi minister of investment that the US-Saudi relationship is also increasingly taking on an economic dimension.
She noted that bilateral trade stands at around $40 billion, compared with Saudi-China trade of approximately $110 billion, highlighting untapped growth potential between the two countries, especially as diplomatic and political ties continue to strengthen.
She said the reforms present valuable opportunities for US companies across multiple sectors, including advanced manufacturing, technology and logistics, as well as aviation, tourism and culture, alongside a wide range of services.
With the regulatory environment being modernized and business stability increasing, the scope of US investment is set to expand further. More importantly, she added, the greater the engagement of companies, the stronger and more resilient the bilateral relationship will become in the years ahead.
She emphasized that Saudi Arabia has undergone deep social and economic transformations, including increased female participation in the workforce and entrepreneurship, while emerging as a cultural hub with a thriving arts scene and new platforms for creative expression.
Lehr further said that the world will witness growing global interest from companies and institutions eager to be part of Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation, amid increasing openness and a willingness to share its history, culture, and ambitions with the world.
Saudi agenda offers tangible opportunities
Lehr highlighted that during her visit, she focused on three key economic priorities. The first is Saudi Arabia’s strategic shift of capital from the oil and gas sector toward technology and innovation, a move that signifies not only economic diversification but also the Kingdom’s emergence as a globally competitive player.
Second, the Kingdom’s reform agenda has provided tangible opportunities for foreign companies, reflecting real changes that facilitate international participation in Saudi growth.
The third point she focused on was that the strong geopolitical and economic ties between the US and Saudi Arabia have bolstered investor confidence. As the Kingdom strengthens its global role and deepens relationships with partners such as the US, its attractiveness for long-term foreign direct investment continues to grow.
She noted that sectors such as artificial intelligence, gaming and entertainment, advanced manufacturing, and the technology ecosystem are areas in which the US has strong competitive advantages, at a time when US firms are seeking new markets that offer stability and long-term potential.
Giga-projects in Saudi Arabia, including AlUla and NEOM, have attracted global attention and highlighted emerging opportunities across the country.
These projects demonstrate the Kingdom’s ambitious vision and its creation of entirely new sectors rather than merely expanding existing ones.
