Crude Oil Radar

2025-09-18 23:50

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 09/18/2025 Focus: Crude Oil
Crude broke above the 63.80 with some more news about Russian Supply risks - from a technical move - breaking above 63.80 is very pivotal - however it is still only “marginally” up. Watching for a re-test of 63.80 - but if we get over 66.84 - we are likely going to run to the $70s and beyond. Fundamentals are ironically looking bearish so I expect this bullish move to be a temporary one - and we will hit the $50s before launching into a long and strong bull move!

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-09-18 23:46:43 Length: 480 chars
Crude Oil has recently broken above the pivotal $63.80 mark, signaling potential bullish momentum despite bearish fundamentals. While the market faces supply risks from Russia and a strong dollar, the sentiment is mixed due to ample supplies and fluctuating demand. Key resistance is at $66.84; breaching this could push prices into the $70s. However, there's a contrarian view suggesting a dip into the $50s before a longer-term bullish trend emerges. Traders should watch for...

Market Summary

Technical Outlook

Moderately Bearish
Score: -2/5
Short: SELL | Medium: BUY | Long: SELL

International Prices

Brent: $67.95 $0.52
WTI: $64.05 $0.47
Spread: $3.9 (Brent premium of $3.90)

Key Fundamentals

Crude Stocks: N/A (0)
Net Imports: N/A (0)

News Sentiment

BULLISH

Spec Positioning

Net Position: 10,002
Weekly Change: 17,321

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $63.14
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $63.18

MA(20): $63.58

Current Price is 63.14, 9 day MA 63.18, 20 day MA 63.58

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.3371

Signal: -0.4769

Days since crossover: 4

MACD crossed the line 4 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 47.0

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 47.0 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 6,668

Avg (20d): 216,981

Ratio: 0.03

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BEARISH CROSS

%K: 36.9

%D: 53.57

Stochastic %K: 36.9, %D: 53.57. Signal: bearish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 9.48

+DI: 16.09

-DI: 16.71

ADX: 9.48 (+DI: 16.09, -DI: 16.71). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -63.1

Williams %R: -63.1 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 65.4

Middle: 63.58

Lower: 61.76

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 65.4, Middle: 63.58, Lower: 61.76

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) 13482.0 13495.0 13300.0 12733.33
Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 5692.0 6271.0 6867.0 6595.33
Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 5277.0 2745.0 3305.0 4398.67
Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) 16424.0 16818.0 16759.0 16378.67
Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 415.0 3526.0 3562.0 2196.67
Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 415361.0 424646.0 419143.0 422247.67
Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 1688149.0 1686474.0 1659136.0 1649988.67
Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 217650.0 219997.0 221552.0 218569.0
Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 124684.0 120638.0 125023.0 120688.0

International Price Analysis

International Price Summary

Brent crude (NOV 25) settled at $67.95, change $-0.52. WTI crude (OCT 25) settled at $64.05, change $-0.47. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.9 (Brent premium of $3.90). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.

Brent Crude

$67.95
0.52
(NOV 25)

WTI Crude

$64.05
0.47
(OCT 25)

Brent-WTI Spread

$3.9
Brent premium of $3.90

OPEC Analysis

OPEC Market Analysis

Executive Summary:

The current OPEC market situation reflects a slight decline in crude oil prices, with the OPEC Reference Basket averaging $69.73/b in August. Despite this, global oil demand is projected to grow steadily, particularly in non-OECD regions, while production from non-DoC countries is expected to increase, indicating a complex balance of supply and demand in the market.

Key Market Metrics:

Category Production (mb/d) Demand (mb/d)
World Production 105.135 105.135
Non-DoC Production 51.440 -
DoC Production 42.40 -

Supply-Demand Balance Analysis:

The global oil supply and demand are currently balanced at approximately 105.135 mb/d. However, with non-DoC production expected to rise, particularly from the US and Brazil, there may be a potential surplus in the market if demand does not keep pace with this increased supply. This could lead to downward pressure on prices in the coming months.

Production Landscape:

Production by region shows that the Americas lead with 25.10 mb/d, followed by Europe at 13.54 mb/d and the Asia Pacific at 7.17 mb/d. The Middle East contributes 9.01 mb/d, with significant increases noted in US and Brazilian production. The overall trend indicates a robust output from non-DoC countries, which may challenge OPEC's market share.

Demand Patterns:

Global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with significant contributions from non-OECD countries, particularly China and India. The demand in the Americas and Europe remains stable, but growth is expected to be more pronounced in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting a shift in consumption patterns towards emerging markets.

Non-DoC vs DoC Analysis:

Non-DoC production is projected at 51.44 mb/d, significantly higher than DoC production, which stands at 42.40 mb/d. This disparity indicates that non-OPEC producers are increasingly contributing to global supply, potentially undermining OPEC's influence on the market. The growth in non-DoC production is primarily driven by the US and Brazil.

OPEC's Strategic Position:

OPEC's current market position is challenged by rising production from non-DoC countries and a stable demand forecast. The organization may need to consider strategic adjustments in production levels to maintain price stability and market share. Continued monitoring of global economic conditions and demand trends will be crucial for OPEC's policy decisions moving forward.

Forward-Looking Indicators:

Looking ahead, the market may experience increased volatility due to the potential surplus from rising non-DoC production. OPEC's ability to manage its output in response to these changes will be critical. Additionally, geopolitical factors and economic growth in key regions will play significant roles in shaping future demand and pricing dynamics.

Key Insights and Recommendations:

  • Monitor non-DoC production trends closely, particularly from the US and Brazil, as they may impact OPEC's market share.
  • Consider strategic production adjustments to mitigate potential price declines due to oversupply.
  • Focus on strengthening relationships with key demand regions, especially in Asia, to enhance market stability.
  • Stay vigilant regarding geopolitical developments that could affect supply chains and market dynamics.
  • Utilize data-driven insights to inform policy decisions and enhance responsiveness to market changes.

CFTC CoT Analysis

Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range
Report Date: 2025-09-09

Managed Money

10,002
Change: -17,321
0.5% of OI

Producer/Merchant

301,400
Change: +1,664
15.4% of OI

Swap Dealers

-403,555
Change: +17,576
-20.6% of OI

Open Interest

1,957,115
Change: -30,746

Summary Analysis:

CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-09-09

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):

Open Interest: 1,957,115 contracts (-30,746)

Managed Money Net Position: 10,002 contracts (0.5% of OI)

Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -17,321 contracts

Producer/Merchant Net Position: 301,400 contracts

Swap Dealer Net Position: -403,555 contracts

Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish but Weakening

Positioning Analysis (Managed Money): Normal Range

Key Takeaways:

- Managed Money traders are large speculators, often driving price trends in Crude Oil.

- Producer/Merchant positions primarily reflect hedging activity.

- Swap Dealers act as intermediaries.

- Extreme positioning by Managed Money can indicate potential market reversals.

- CFTC data reports positions as of the report date, usually released each Friday.

About Disaggregated CoT Reports:

The Disaggregated CoT report provides a more detailed breakdown of futures market open interest.

It categorizes traders into: Producer/Merchant/Processor/User (Commercials), Swap Dealers, Managed Money (Speculators), and Other Reportables.

News Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BULLISH
Average Polarity: 0.4
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 64
Last Updated: 2025-09-18 23:49:29

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

0.4

Top News Topics

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

POSITIVE - Economic indicators generally supportive
Dollar Impact: Strong USD may pressure commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Strong industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

97.33
Daily: 0.46 (0.47%)
Weekly: -0.22 (-0.23%)

US_10Y

4.1
Daily: 0.03 (0.69%)
Weekly: 0.04 (1.06%)

SP500

6631.96
Daily: 31.61 (0.48%)
Weekly: 47.67 (0.72%)

VIX

15.7
Daily: -0.02 (-0.13%)
Weekly: 0.94 (6.37%)

GOLD

3687.6
Daily: 5.8 (0.16%)
Weekly: 38.2 (1.05%)

COPPER

4.62
Daily: 0.05 (1.02%)
Weekly: 0.03 (0.63%)

Fibonacci Analysis

Current Price: $63.14
Closest Support: $61.45 2.68% below current price
Closest Resistance: $63.59 0.71% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $61.45 Support
0.236 $63.59 Resistance
0.382 $64.91
0.5 $65.98
0.618 $67.05
0.786 $68.57
1.0 $70.51

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $72.97
1.618 $76.11
2.0 $79.57
2.618 $85.17

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $63.57
Forecast Generated: 2025-09-18 23:49:32
Next Trading Day: DOWN 0.1%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-09-19 $63.51 $61.66 $65.36
2025-09-20 $63.46 $61.61 $65.31
2025-09-21 $63.42 $61.57 $65.27
2025-09-22 $63.46 $61.61 $65.31
2025-09-23 $63.49 $61.64 $65.34

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~0.10% for the next trading day (2025-09-19), reaching $63.51.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-09-19 and 2025-09-23.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~5.8% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Bearish signal, moderate uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

Current market dynamics indicate potential bullish sentiment despite recent price declines. The $67.95 for Brent and $64.05 for WTI reflect a tight supply-demand balance, with the Brent-WTI spread widening to $3.90, suggesting ongoing strength in Brent relative to WTI. Traders should monitor support levels around the recent lows and Fibonacci retracement levels for potential entry points, especially given the speculative selling pressure observed in August.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

Producers should focus on the implications of inventory levels, which are currently low compared to historical averages. With OECD crude stocks down 66.5 mb year-on-year, this presents an opportunity for price recovery. However, the bearish sentiment from managed money positioning suggests caution in production planning. Hedging strategies may need to be adapted to mitigate potential price volatility as demand forecasts remain stable yet uncertain.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Refineries/Transportation):

Consumers should prepare for possible fluctuations in input costs, particularly with WTI at $64.05 and Brent at $67.95. The geopolitical tensions and the recent drop in crude imports from India signal potential supply reliability risks. As such, procurement strategies should incorporate hedging to buffer against rising prices and ensure stable supply, especially with the demand sentiment currently under pressure.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The Crude Oil market presents a complex picture with bullish sentiment in the backdrop of stable economic growth forecasts. The supply-demand dynamics are tightening, reflected in low inventory levels, while speculative positioning indicates a potential market reversal. Analysts should closely monitor the impact of geopolitical factors and the weakening demand sentiment from industrial sectors, as these could shift the outlook significantly.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.