Oil Prices Struggle amid Growing Recession Fears and Fed HikesEarlier today, oil prices were on the rise after the shutdown of the Keystone pipeline. However, this rally was quickly wiped out as sellers attacked the market, pushing prices even lower. The oil market has been struggling due to growing concerns about a potential recession and the belief that central banks have tightened monetary policy too much.
This fall in oil prices has also had the side effect of reversing inflation, which can be seen as a positive for central banks. Despite this, there is some support for oil prices at the $70 level, as this is when the White House talked about refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
Overall, the outlook for the oil market remains uncertain, with concerns about a potential recession and the actions of central banks continuing to weigh on prices. However, some analysts believe that a relief rally is still possible in the coming days and weeks, as the shutdown of the Keystone pipeline and other factors could provide support for oil prices.
Jargon Explained
Strategic Petroleum Reserve
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is a reserve of crude oil stored by the United States government in underground salt caverns. The SPR was created in response to the oil embargo of the 1970s, and its purpose is to provide a emergency supply of crude oil that can be quickly released onto the market in the event of a supply disruption.
Keystone Pipeline
The Keystone pipeline is a system of oil pipelines that transport crude oil from Canada to refineries in the United States. The pipeline system consists of two phases: the first carries oil from the oil sands of Alberta, Canada to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma, while the second phase, known as Keystone XL, would carry oil from Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The Keystone pipeline has been the subject of controversy, with opponents arguing that it poses risks to the environment and to local communities.
