Saudi Arabia’s Output Cut Pledge Outweighs Weak Chinese Data and Rising US Fuel Stocks, Pushing Oil Prices Higher

Crude oil appreciates in the early trading session of Monday as Saudi Arabia pledged to slash its oil production by an additional 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in July.

The announcement prompted oil prices to edge higher on Wednesday, despite weak Chinese export data and rising fuel stocks in the United States.

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark for crude oil, rose by 36 cents, or 0.5% to $76.65 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained 37 cents, also at 0.5% to settle at $72.11. These gains followed Monday’s significant surge of both oils, with each jumping over $1 after Saudi Arabia’s decision was made public.

“As things stand, the oil market is on the cusp of a massive shortfall,” said PVM Oil’s Stephen Brennock. “Additional Saudi cuts are expected to deepen the market deficit to more than 3 million bpd in July by some estimates.”

However, prior to the market’s positive response to Saudi Arabia’s announcement, oil prices faced downward pressure due to weak Chinese economic data and increasing US fuel inventories. China’s exports contracted more than anticipated in May, while imports also declined as manufacturers continue to struggle in finding overseas demand to complement sluggish domestic consumption.

Wednesday’s data also showed that crude oil imports into China, the world’s largest oil importer, rose to their third-highest monthly level in May as refiners built up inventories.

A JP Morgan note showed forward crude cover in the country has climbed, indicating refiners have not increased processing rates but are instead storing oil.

Meanwhile, U.S. gasoline inventories rose by about 2.4 million barrels and distillates inventories were up by about 4.5 million barrels in the week ended June 2, the American Petroleum Institute figures showed.

The unexpected build in fuel inventories raised concerns over consumption by the world’s top oil user, especially as travel demand grew during the Memorial Day weekend.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Tuesday said that U.S crude oil production this year would rise faster and demand increases would be slower than previously expected.