MA(9): $63.51
MA(20): $63.51
MACD: -0.2019
Signal: -0.3715
Days since crossover: 8
Value: 54.61
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 13,174
Avg (20d): 207,382
Ratio: 0.06
%K: 93.68
%D: 60.25
ADX: 10.04
+DI: 19.72
-DI: 17.75
Value: -6.32
Upper: 65.39
Middle: 63.51
Lower: 61.63
| 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 |
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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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