Oil prices rebound from new depths

World oil prices rebounded on Monday (Jan 18) from new 12-year depths struck after the West lifted sanctions on Iran, paving the way for higher crude exports from the Islamic Republic. (AFP Photo)

LONDON: World oil prices rebounded on Monday (Jan 18) from new 12-year depths struck after the West lifted sanctions on Iran, paving the way for higher crude exports from the Islamic Republic.

Brent crude tumbled below US$28 a barrel in Asia trading hours to reach a fresh 2003 low point on fears about a worsening global supply glut. But the market then found support, rebounding above US$29 on bargain-hunting and as OPEC said it expects a "rebalancing process" to begin in 2016.

Half a million barrels of Iranian crude is set to be added to already saturated markets after US and European leaders ended a crippling embargo put in place over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The news led to further selling of black gold, whose prices have slumped by about three quarters in value since mid-2014 owing to the supply glut, record output levels, weak demand growth and a slowing global economy led by China.

But the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said on Monday that it expects a "rebalancing process" as the sharp fall in oil price causes production from non-cartel competitors such as the United States to fall after seven years of "phenomenal" growth.

If the prediction is accurate, it would make a victory of sorts for OPEC's strategy of keep the oil flowing despite crude sliding from above US$100 in 2014 - to defend its market share.

On Monday, Brent tumbled to as low as US$27.67 a barrel - a level last seen in November 2003. New York prices also hit a low of more than 12 years at US$28.36.

"The drop was due to the Western sanctions on Iran being lifted," said Phillip Futures analyst Daniel Ang. "This means we will be seeing a bigger oil glut with Iranian crude exports coming back to the market." Ang added that prices had rebounded on bargain-buying.

Iran on Monday ordered as planned an increase of 500,000 barrels per day in its oil production. Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, said that while Iranian oil could come in quickly, suppliers still needed to find buyers.

"Iran has quite a large storage of oil at the moment," Spooner told AFP. "They are in a position to sell that if they choose to do so and increase supply quite quickly ... (but) they've got to get the buyers and that's one of the key questions," he said.

Banking group ANZ said Iran is likely to offer discounts to entice buyers, leading to "further downward pressure on prices in the near-term".

Around midday in London, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March was up 30 cents at US$29.24 a barrel compared with Friday's close. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in February climbed 34 cents at US$29.76.