Crude Oil Radar

2025-09-24 23:50

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 09/24/2025 Focus: Crude Oil
Crude Oil rose sharply higher based upon concerns on Russian supply after NATO’s robust response to Russian incursions into its airspace. Geopolitical risks took the stage front and center (which we have gone back and forth between that and oversupply the past two weeks). This took us back up to the key resistance level at 63.80 which is leaving us in the range of 61.64 and 63.80. Everything still tells me we break down below 61.64 and will drop into the 50s before a bigger move up in 2026. Long story short - we are likely to go down but then structurally increase next year. Currently we are oversupplied and curious to see if Distillates added again this next week as that is driving a LOT of bearish outlook on supply/demand.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-09-24 23:46:44 Length: 480 chars
Crude Oil has seen a significant uptick, driven by geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia and NATO's response, pushing prices back toward the key resistance level of $63.80. However, current oversupply concerns loom, suggesting a possible dip below $61.64 before a potential rebound in 2026. Recent profit-taking has also contributed to price fluctuations, alongside unexpected declines in US crude stocks. As we navigate these market dynamics, traders should watch for suppl...

Market Summary

Technical Outlook

Neutral
Score: -1/5
Short: BUY | Medium: BUY | Long: SELL

International Prices

Brent: $67.63 $1.06
WTI: $63.41 $1.13
Spread: $4.22 (Brent premium of $4.22)

Key Fundamentals

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

News Sentiment

BULLISH

Spec Positioning

Net Position: 36,799
Weekly Change: 26,797

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -1 (Neutral)
Current Price: $64.71
Signal: Neutral

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $63.51

MA(20): $63.51

Current Price is 64.71, 9 day MA 63.51, 20 day MA 63.51

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.2019

Signal: -0.3715

Days since crossover: 8

MACD crossed the line 8 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 54.61

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 54.61 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 13,174

Avg (20d): 207,382

Ratio: 0.06

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BULLISH CROSS

%K: 93.68

%D: 60.25

Stochastic %K: 93.68, %D: 60.25. Signal: bullish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 10.04

+DI: 19.72

-DI: 17.75

ADX: 10.04 (+DI: 19.72, -DI: 17.75). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

OVERBOUGHT

Value: -6.32

Williams %R: -6.32 (overbought)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 65.39

Middle: 63.51

Lower: 61.63

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 65.39, Middle: 63.51, Lower: 61.63

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) 13501.0 13482.0 13200.0 12700.0
Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 6495.0 5692.0 6322.0 6711.33
Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 4484.0 5277.0 4589.0 4185.0
Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) 16476.0 16424.0 16477.0 16056.33
Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 2011.0 415.0 1733.0 2526.33
Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 414754.0 415361.0 417513.0 419962.67
Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 1687905.0 1688149.0 1663174.0 1640486.67
Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 216569.0 217650.0 221621.0 217591.33
Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 122999.0 124684.0 125148.0 119114.67

International Price Analysis

International Price Summary

Brent crude (NOV 25) settled at $67.63, change $+1.06. WTI crude (NOV 25) settled at $63.41, change $+1.13. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.22 (Brent premium of $4.22). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.

Brent Crude

$67.63
1.06
(NOV 25)

WTI Crude

$63.41
1.13
(NOV 25)

Brent-WTI Spread

$4.22
Brent premium of $4.22

OPEC Analysis

OPEC Market Analysis

Executive Summary:

The current OPEC market situation reflects a slight decline in crude oil prices amidst stable global economic growth. Despite a modest increase in production from OPEC member countries, the overall balance of supply and demand indicates a tight market, with potential implications for future pricing and production strategies.

Key Market Metrics:

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

Supply-Demand Balance Analysis:

The current data indicates that global oil demand matches production levels at approximately 105.135 mb/d. This balance suggests a stable market; however, any fluctuations in production or demand could lead to significant price volatility. The slight increase in OPEC production by 509 tb/d in August reinforces the need to monitor market dynamics closely.

Production Landscape:

The production landscape shows that OPEC member countries collectively produced about 42.40 mb/d in August, with notable contributions from key producers. The Americas lead with 25.10 mb/d, followed by Europe at 13.54 mb/d and Asia Pacific at 7.17 mb/d. The Middle East continues to play a crucial role, contributing 9.01 mb/d.

Demand Patterns:

Global oil demand remains robust, with total demand at 105.135 mb/d. The non-OECD regions, particularly China and India, are driving demand growth, with forecasts indicating increases of 1.2 mb/d in 2025. However, challenges remain in the OECD, where growth is projected to be modest at 0.1 mb/d.

Non-DoC vs DoC Analysis:

Non-DoC production is currently at 51.440 mb/d, significantly higher than the DoC production of 42.40 mb/d. This disparity highlights the increasing role of non-OPEC producers in the global oil supply, particularly from the US, Brazil, and Canada, which are expected to be the main growth drivers in the coming years.

OPEC's Strategic Position:

OPEC's strategic position remains strong, with a focus on maintaining market stability amidst fluctuating prices. The recent increase in production by member countries indicates a proactive approach to meet demand while balancing the risks associated with oversupply. OPEC's ability to navigate these challenges will be critical in shaping future oil market dynamics.

Forward-Looking Indicators:

Looking ahead, the market is expected to experience continued demand growth, particularly in non-OECD regions. However, potential economic uncertainties and geopolitical factors could influence both supply and demand, necessitating careful monitoring and potential adjustments in OPEC's production strategies.

Key Insights and Recommendations:

  • Monitor the balance of supply and demand closely to anticipate price movements.
  • Consider strategic production adjustments to respond to emerging market trends.
  • Focus on enhancing cooperation among OPEC and non-OPEC producers to stabilize the market.
  • Invest in data analytics to better understand demand patterns and consumer behavior.
  • Prepare for potential geopolitical disruptions that could impact oil supply chains.

CFTC CoT Analysis

Sentiment: Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range
Report Date: 2025-09-16

Managed Money

36,799
Change: +26,797
1.9% of OI

Producer/Merchant

292,741
Change: -8,659
14.9% of OI

Swap Dealers

-407,490
Change: -3,935
-20.8% of OI

Open Interest

1,962,620
Change: 5,505

Summary Analysis:

CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-09-16

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):

Open Interest: 1,962,620 contracts (+5,505)

Managed Money Net Position: 36,799 contracts (1.9% of OI)

Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: +26,797 contracts

Producer/Merchant Net Position: 292,741 contracts

Swap Dealer Net Position: -407,490 contracts

Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish and Strengthening

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

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

97.75
Daily: 0.49 (0.51%)
Weekly: 0.4 (0.42%)

US_10Y

4.15
Daily: 0.03 (0.66%)
Weekly: 0.04 (1.05%)

SP500

6637.97
Daily: -18.95 (-0.28%)
Weekly: 6.01 (0.09%)

VIX

16.18
Daily: -0.46 (-2.76%)
Weekly: 0.48 (3.06%)

GOLD

3765.8
Daily: -14.8 (-0.39%)
Weekly: 122.1 (3.35%)

COPPER

4.87
Daily: 0.29 (6.28%)
Weekly: 0.33 (7.3%)

Fibonacci Analysis

Current Price: $64.71
Closest Support: $63.59 1.73% below current price
Closest Resistance: $64.91 0.31% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $61.45
0.236 $63.59 Support
0.382 $64.91 Resistance
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: $64.99
Forecast Generated: 2025-09-24 23:49:39
Next Trading Day: UP 0.06%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-09-25 $65.03 $63.13 $66.92
2025-09-26 $65.05 $63.15 $66.95
2025-09-27 $64.99 $63.1 $66.89
2025-09-28 $64.92 $63.02 $66.81
2025-09-29 $64.83 $62.93 $66.73

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.06% for the next trading day (2025-09-25), reaching $65.03.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-09-25 and 2025-09-29.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~5.8% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Bullish signal, moderate uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

The recent price movements show a bearish trend in crude oil prices, with the OPEC Reference Basket dropping to an average of $69.73/b. The Brent and WTI contracts also experienced declines, indicating potential volatility in the near term.

The widening of the Brent-WTI spread to $4.22 suggests differing supply/demand dynamics, which could create short-term trading opportunities. Traders should monitor support levels around $64.00/b for WTI and $67.00/b for Brent, as these could serve as critical points for potential rebounds.

The speculative positioning has turned increasingly bearish, with managed money net positions moving to 36,799 contracts, indicating a bearish sentiment that may lead to further downward pressure unless there is a significant shift in fundamentals or geopolitical factors.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

Producers should consider the implications of the current supply-demand balance, with global oil demand growth forecasted at 1.3 mb/d for 2025. This stable demand forecast, coupled with rising production from non-DoC countries, suggests a need for strategic production planning and potential hedging strategies to mitigate price volatility.

The inventory levels indicate a bearish outlook, as OECD crude stocks are 208.6 mb below the 2015–2019 average. This could affect hedging strategies and operational planning, as lower inventories may lead to tighter market conditions.

The bullish sentiment in the market, as reflected in news sentiment, may provide an opportunity to optimize production schedules and sales strategies, particularly if geopolitical tensions escalate.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Refineries/Transportation):

Consumers should prepare for potential fluctuations in input costs, with WTI and Brent prices currently at $63.41 and $67.63, respectively. The supply reliability risks posed by geopolitical tensions and the recent inventory draws in the U.S. may lead to increased procurement costs in the near term.

The supply-demand balance is shifting, with increasing crude imports into the U.S. and stable demand growth. However, uncertainties in global supply, particularly from Iraq and Russia, could impact procurement strategies. It may be prudent to evaluate hedging options to mitigate potential price spikes.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a bearish sentiment, driven by declining prices across major benchmarks and increasing speculative short positions. The supply-demand dynamics reflect stable demand growth against rising production, particularly from non-OECD countries.

Geopolitical factors are contributing to market