With supply continuing to grow, the International Energy Agency says that the recent stabilization in oil prices won't last.
The crash in oil prices must seem like it has been going on forever to those who are dependent on that industry — but a global energy agency says the end isn’t in sight yet.
As production in the United States continues to add on to the global oil supply, there doesn’t appear to be anything that will stop or even slow the drop in oil prices, the watchdog group known as the International Energy Agency, which is located in Paris and represents oil-importing nations, said in its monthly report, according to an Associated Press report.
Describing the situation as “precarious,” the agency said that the recent stabilization in oil prices won’t last, calling it a “facade” and arguing that the collapse in prices “has yet to run its course,” according to the report.
Oil prices dropped 10 percent this week, with 5 percent of that coming on Friday, dipping all the way down to $44.84 per barrel when the market closed.
Low prices could create social disruption in some countries that depend on oil, warned the IEA. Drillers have been cutting back on production due to the plunging prices. The total number of rigs exploring for oil dropped to 1,125, a reduction of 67 rigs.
There are international events that further threaten the price of crude. Iran is working toward reaching a partial nuclear deal with world powers by the end of this month that would end sanctions against the nation, which would allow it to start exporting more crude and further keep prices low, according to a Reuters report.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government is proposing to buy up to five million barrels of oil for its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but few investors seemed to think this was a bullish sign for crude prices.
Meanwhile, the dollar’s continued growing strength compared to the euro further increased the cost of oil, which is a dollar-denominated commodity.
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