Crude Oil (WTI): Have You Seen That GAP? 🛢️
With a sudden OPEC decision to cut oil production rate,
the market opened with a huge gap up.
The price is currently testing a solid horizontal supply cluster.
What we know about gaps is the fact that in 80% of the time they tend to be filled.
I believe that sellers will push the price from the underlined resistance and initiate a bearish move.
Goals will be 78.57 - middle of the gap, 75.75 - gap open.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
Opec
WTI Outlook 3 April 2023Following the surprise news from OPEC+ where the cartel decided to cut production by more than 1 million barrels a day, energy prices gapped strongly to the upside.
WTI tested the 82 price level again which was at the 50% fibonacci retracement level.
Typically it is believed that price would have to close the gap before continuing with the trend again.
Therefore, look for WTI to retrace before trading higher again, and if price breaks above the 82 resistance level, the next key resistance level is at 93.55
Overall significantly choppy price action is anticipated on energy prices in the short term
CRUDE OIL TO HIT $160!?😳The price of Crude Oil gapped 6% on market open tonight & moved up 460 PIPS😳 What a crazy move! This was caused on the back of Saudi Arabia & OPEC announcing further Oil output cuts of around 1.16 million barrels a day. This is their way of fighting back against the U.S. & punishing them. This'll create immediate price rises in the United States, then also follow into the U.K.📉
I did warn you guys that this PLANNED Oil shortage & price rise will be next pandemic! This is what will force the everyday person to start switching to electric vehicles.
WTI - GAP CORRECTIONThe Biden administration said the surprise oil output cuts announced on Sunday by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ countries were not advisable. The west is not excited by the price development and we can expect an answer to keep the black gold in a reasonable range. Mid-70s is working well to reduce inflation and keep the economy running, that's why a logical move is to boost production supply as a corrective measure.
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Crude could fall even lower without OPEC intervention
• Oil prices remain under pressure despite receding banking fears
• Major technical breakdown suggests more losses could be on the way
• Will the OPEC come to the rescue?
After falling by 8% at one point, crude oil prices managed to bounce back from their worst levels on Wednesday along with everything else. The rebound came on the back of news the Swiss National Bank offered a $54 billion lifeline to Credit Suisse. The move has helped calm fears of a financial crisis in Europe. But there wasn’t much immediate follow-through in the markets this morning ahead of the European Central Bank decision. Crude oil also turned lower. Risks, therefore, continue to remain to the downside for oil prices.
Oil prices have been weighed down by at least three major factors in recent days: 1) general risk-off sentiment, 2) weaker demand projections for oil and 3) technical selling.
Given that prices had been stuck inside a corridor for a long time – since early December to be exact – a major move was going to follow. The fact that we have now had a bearish fundamental trigger – a sharp rise in financial stability risks – to move prices outside of their ranges to the downside, meant that technical traders have also helped to add pressure on prices by selling oil futures short to take advantage of the momentum.
The three-month consolidation has been resolved by prices moving and closing below the support level of the sideways channel. This should keep the “sell-the-rallies” trade intact until something changes fundamentally.
The impact of very high levels of inflation over the past couple of years has been hurting consumption, while the significant interest rate tightening by central banks have further reduced consumer and business buying power. Indeed, the International Energy Agency is forecasting that global oil supply will “comfortably” exceed demand in the first half of this year. The IEA reported that commercial oil stocks in developed OECD countries hit an 18-month high. Oil prices also remain weighed down by higher-than-expected inventories. The EIA, meanwhile, posted a 1.6-million-barrel rise in US crude stockpiles last week, which was more than forecast.
So, all this begs the question: will the OPEC step in to save oil prices again by cutting its production?
The balls in their court now, but for now, thanks to the big breakdown, the path of least resistance is clearly to the downside for oil. Granted, we might see an oversold bounce in prices soon. But until something changes fundamentally to create a higher high for oil, we would continue to favour selling into resistance than fading the dips.
For Brent, the next potential downside target could be $70.00. Stop-loss orders of many bullish traders would now be resting below Wednesday’s low at $71.36. If they get tripped, which we think is likely, the next stop could well be that $70.00 mark. That’s not to say oil cannot go much lower than that. But that’s our main downside target in the short-term outlook.
On the upside, key resistance is seen between 75.00 to 76.60, an area which was previously support. Bullish traders will want to see oil go back above this area to regain control again.
-- Written by Fawad Razaqzada, Market Analyst
Follow Fawad on Twitter @Trader_F_R
OPEC in the news: Hike or hype?OPEC's latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) shows crude oil production reduced by 49,000 barrels per day (BPD). That put the output down to an average of 28.8 million BPD in January, and this is part of a 156,000 BPD reduction by Saudi Arabia. How will the markets react? Everybody has a quick answer to that question.
Oil supply & demand
Anyone trading oil will tell you—whenever production is cut, the supply & demand dynamic changes and crude prices go up. And not long after, commuters everywhere feel a pinch at the pump. Is it about to happen again in 2023?
In 2017, OPEC and non-OPEC members extended cuts in oil output to the tune of 1.8 million BPD. Supplies dwindled, and nations paid excessive prices throughout 2017. The whole world knew it was coming. Demand was high, and oil prices rocketed from June’s $42 (USD) up to $66. OPEC’s mission to inflate prices succeeded.
Fast forward to 2020. Crude prices crash to 1999 prices in Q1. Dropping from $63 per barrel down to a shocking $14.00, OPEC’s stakeholders demanded action.
OPEC cut overall crude oil production by a massive 9.7 million BPD between May and June of 2020. The reasoning was said to be an attempt to reduce the global oversupply with hopes of firming up depressed oil prices. What followed was epic.
April 2020. The production cuts catapulted crude prices into a 2-year rally, rising to an extortionate $110 per barrel in May of 2022. The massive production cut not only improved OPEC’s revenue, it spiked to a ten-year high.
The new prices provoked governments everywhere, and political pressure followed. It’s 2023, and here we go again… or not.
All the main media channels made the oil cut announcement, as though it was a major move by OPEC. But there’s nothing major about it, and traders should be cautious.
The Oil hike hype
When the news was first released that OPEC would cut production, thousands of traders and financial journalists jumped on the story… likely with the expectation of bullish times ahead.
Saudi Arabia’s energy and industry oil minister, Khalid Al-Falih said,
“We considered various scenarios, from six (months) to nine to 12 and we even considered options for a higher cut... All indications are solid that a nine-month extension is the optimum and should bring us within the five-year average by the end of the year.”
Five-year average! The 13 member countries have a near total monopoly on oil prices, and the world always needs more. OPEC has the ability to set the price at almost any level by pinching the supply chain, but there are limits that could provoke intervention or invasion, so OPEC usually tries to be reasonable.
OPEC's charter is to keep oil prices at a 5-year average… the current price stabilization agreement. But the average for the last 5 years is $67 per barrel. At the time of writing, crude is at $78 per barrel. Above the average. Hardly a justification for a new production cut. But is it really a production cut, or just a modification blown out of all proportions?
Media hype doesn’t match the math
Every major financial media outlet is on oil right now. Big brand news sites are even throwing around the number “$100 per barrel” in the coming months. That might be a powerful motivator to get investors and traders to buy in. But before you do, consider the numbers again.
A 1.8 million barrel cut added $24 to the price of crude.
A 9.7 million barrel cut added $93 to the price of crude.
So for every 75,000 - 100,000 BPD cut, the price of crude increased by $1. Now consider that the latest cut was only 49,000 BPD, with a target cut of 156,000 BPD. Mathematically, such a supply cut should have very little impact on today’s volatile prices, if any at all.
And don’t forget Nigeria and Angola have increased production by 112,000 BPD, softening the supply flow shortage considerably.
Conclusion
When it comes to trading, don’t always believe the hype, no matter how legitimate the sources are. All this media hype will affect market sentiment and pump the price, but without any real fuel behind the rally, it will likely be short-lived.
Oil prices are pushed and pulled by so many sources of influence. From the economy to politics, and corporate profit, there’s a lot to follow, so stay updated with the coming fundamentals before you consider trading oil.
OPEC & The West Battling Over Oil Price. Who Wins?OPEC (and non OPEC members) are battling with the West led by the US over oil price. While the West wants oil price to hover around $60/barrel, OPEC and other oil producing countries led by Russia and Saudi Arabia feel no one should dictate the price of their commodity...
With oil price now sitting on important support level, will the price breaks down to go lower OR there will be a reversal to and price start to move high?
Technically, bulls came into the market early last week; drove the price high but bears later joined the market and brought price a little down. Coming week(s), if more bulls came into the market, then oil price will likely go up. Otherwise, if bears are more prominent in the next 1 or 2 weeks, then we might witness more decline in oil price.
N.B
- Let emotions and sentiments work for you
-ALWAYS Use Proper Risk Management In Your Trades
USDWTI D1 - Short Signal PendingUSDWTI D1 - Finally starting to see a bit of support here on crude oil… 76.50 is still out preferable sell zone, healthy correction from latest swing high to swing low, which ties is nicely with out preciously broken support zone.
Simply looking for the retest of that broken zone to position ourselves short, in aim of fresh lows.
US Crude Oil At Support Level for Long Trade.US crudeoil is at support level . it is also trading at very support level of channel pattern . According to chart pattern analysis we might see bounce back in us crudeoil from current level towards the 80 level .
trade with stop loss and own capital risk management.
views / opinions are welcome to discuss.
Supply risks point to higher oil pricesOil prices were whipsawed this week with swings of more than 6%1 after a report from the Wall Street Journal suggested that Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) is looking to possibly increase output by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd). The rumour could have easily been justified by President Biden’s decision to offer sovereign immunity to the Saudi Crown Price Mohammed bin Salman in a civil lawsuit, as geopolitics could influence decisions. However, the Saudi’s shortly denied the report that OPEC+ was not considering an output increase, helping oil prices claw back losses on the day. This makes logical sense, given that OPEC+ reduced its oil production noticeably since the beginning of November, in accordance with its early October decision. The price action on 22nd November goes to show that it takes only a small amount of movement in trades to cause a large price effect in oil. The oil market remains susceptible to further volatility amidst a backdrop of low liquidity into year end.
Looking ahead, the oil market remains vulnerable to a number of key events starting with the OPEC+ meeting on Dec 4 followed by the European Union (EU) embargo on Russian oil alongside G-7 plans to launch a price cap on Russian crude sales on Dec 5.
Price cap on Russian oil is hardly bearish
Expectations are that the G-7 will soon announce the level at which they intend to set the price cap on Russian oil. The latest reports suggest a cap of US Dollar 65-70 per barrel, which would be well above Russia’s cost of production. Russia is already selling its crude at a significant discount, so a cap at these levels would likely have minimal impact on trading and inflict minimal harm to Russia. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has once again made it clear that Russia will not supply crude oil or refined products to countries which follow the G-7 price cap. In fact, oil will either be redirected to those nations who choose to ignore the price cap or Russian output will be reduced. This appears to be more supportive for higher prices. So far, EU diplomats are locked in negotiations over how strict the Russian mechanism should be, after Poland and Greece rejected the proposal. They would prefer to see a cap closer to the cost of production at US$30. EU leaders are now expected to seek a deal at a 15-16 December summit, in follow up to the energy minister meeting this week on 24 November.
EU embargo on the import of Russian oil is approaching fast. This comes into effect on 5 December for crude oil and 5 February 2023 for oil products. In the last three months, Russia has remained the largest external supplier of diesel to the EU, delivering 540kbd2. According to IEA estimates, the EU was still importing 1.5mbd of Russian crude oil in October, which corresponded to just under 15% of total EU crude oil imports. In the coming months, the EU will need to find alternative suppliers. Replacing these supplies is not going to be easy. Russia will need to find other buyers leading to further uncertainty on the oil markets. India, Turkey and China have increased their purchases of Russian oil, thereby enabling Russia to continue exporting large quantities of oil.
Weak demand dominating sentiment on the oil market
Oil prices are down nearly 35% from its peak as sentiment remains dominated by concerns over weaking demand as the global economy enters a recession alongside an unprecedented release from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Net speculative positioning in WTI crude oil futures is more than 1-standard deviation below the 5-year average underscoring extreme bearishness on the oil market3. Its worth noting that speculative positioning in oil was on a downtrend prior to the peak in oil prices. That indicates for one investors were probably taking profits on earlier holdings and higher volatility in oil market kept buyers at bay.
Although in a severe recession, oil demand can decline sharply, we are anticipating a much shallower recession for both the US and Eurozone economy. In the middle of the year, China’s oil demand was hit severely by lockdown restrictions, with demand falling below April 2020 and 2021 levels by 1-2mbd4. Although their remains uncertainty about China re-opening, we expect oil demand to recover from Q2 2023 onwards and accelerate towards year end. This should help oil demand from China grow in contrast to the prior two years.
Conclusion: The oil market still seems structurally undersupplied over the next few years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) assumes by the end of Q1 2023 oil production will be 2mbd lower than prior to the invasion of Ukraine. We expect the Chinese re-opening, Russian supply risk, the end of SPR releases and lower levels of investment in the energy sector to contribute to a tighter oil market in 2023.
USOIL Long term forecast Don't forget From December, the EU and G7 also want to cap the price countries pay for Russian oil. They are telling importers of Russian crude oil that western insurers will not cover oil shipments if they pay more than the cap. and also we have OPEC meeting in the beginning of December
Oil Makes Another Attempt at the $90'sOil has pivoted from lows and made another run for the $90's. We have broken through $88.74, and fallen just short of $90.06, the barrier to the $90 handle. A strong rally in risk-on assets has benefited oil. If we are able to continue the rally, we could hit $94 again. If we retrace, expect support at $87.21 or $85.55.
Oil Falls from the $90's!Oil has fallen from the $90's after the rejection from $94 has taken the $90 handle entirely. We fell back to the high $80's, with $87.21 providing support, exactly as we predicted in these reports. Our floor for oil for now, is $85.55. The Kovach OBV is still surprisingly strong, though it has arched over a bit with the selloff. If we can pivot off current levels, then $90.06 is the next target.
XLE to break bullish triangle + OPEC cutOPEC threatens to cut oil prices ten times more than in September in an attempt to plug the oil drain.
- The New York Times' sources estimate that the agency is considering announcing a cut of between 500,000 and 1 million barrels per day, about 1% of global supply, because the market is oversupplied and demand is softening due to the weakening global economy.
This plus the bullish triangle a good take profit could be around 90-93 usd.
Oil Regains the $90'sAs we have been predicting for a while, oil has broken out into the $90's. There are only so many reserves that Biden can deplete in a frenetic attempt to improve his tarnished image before midterms. We have smashed through $90.06, which provided strong resistance and was a barrier for some time. We are currently testing $92.03 which was the exact target we predicted last week. Red triangles on the KRI are confirming resistance here. If we see a retracement we will find support at $90.06 again, or $88.74. Our next target is $95.24.
Brent could trade higher only if...Energy prices climbed on Friday as Brent reached the 92.60 price level and WTI climbed a high of 98.75. This move higher was due to the weakness of the DXY and the anticipation that China was ready to reopen borders, spurring demand for oil.
However, as China reiterates its intention to maintain its current Covid policy, both Brent and WTI are retracing lower from last week’s climb higher. Look for the completion of the retracement before a continuation of the uptrend.
The prices could test the key resistance level of 97.00 for WTI and 102.00 for Brent, if prices clear above the immediate resistance of 94.00 and 100 respectively.
Oil Makes Another Run for the $90'sOil found support at $85.55 exactly as we had expected. We saw a nice pivot after that, which took us back near the $90's. We came just shy of our target at $90.06, where a red triangle on the KRI has confirmed resistance. The Kovach OBV is relatively flat and we will need more momentum to come through for us to be able to solidly break into the $90's. If we retrace, $85.55 should hold for now.