ECONOMIC | Micron Associates: Headlines

The Brent towards $124

SINGAPORE (Reuters) –Brent crude have prolonged the losses toward $124 a barrel on Wednesday after the U.S. central bank ran hopes of further economic spur, hearsay that Saudi Arabia is keeping the higher result in the event of a strategic release also weighed. In the industry data shows a larger-than-expected mount in crude inventories in the United States, the world’s top oil consumer, also pressured prices, but losses were constrained by further disturbance in exports from the North Sea.

On Tuesday Brent was settled down 57 cents at $124.86. While having this early month Brent crude has dropped 21 cents to $124.65 a barrel by 0616 GMT (02.16 a.m. EDT), after touching a low of $124.42.

In addition, U.S crude forecast 47 cents of loss to $103.55 after having a fall by more than $1 in the preceding session.

According to a commodities strategist with ANZ Bank in Melbourne- Natalie Robertson, the comments made by Fed had influence on oil prices, plus for the U.S market compared to Brent which then concluded the Brent/WTI spread widening. Brent was carried by supply side interference in the North Sea.The premium of Brent to U.S crude beat an intraday high of $21.15, the highest data showed since October 24 last year. Furthermore, Federal Reserve policymakers appear less inclined to introduce a new round of monetary stimulus as the U.S economy gradually enhances, based from the central bank’s March meeting.

SUPPLY ISSUES

Oil prices were pressured as the Saudi Arabia is likely to remain high their oil production if consumer countries release strategic oil reserves, although the kingdom will not seek to attract buyers for more oil by discounting its crude. However, actual and potential disturbance is on going to put a floor under prices, with at least seven cargoes of North Forties crude filling in April which was being delayed the next production problems.

The number of known delayed shipments was gone up from five at the end of last week, trading sources said. There was a conversation about an eighth delayed shipment, but could not be confirmed.

Iranian oil exports from July 1 were covered by Aban on European insurance which also threatened to restrain shipments and elevate costs for major buyers. Japan and South Korea have lobbied for exemptions, but insurance and shipping executives say a complete ban now looks likely.

On Wednesday also revealed on Micron Associates that Japanese insurers are looking to cut the coverage of cargo for transporting Iranian crude. U.S. crude oil inventories rose 7.8 million barrels in the week to March 30, the industry group American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday, and a much larger increase than expected. » ECONOMIC | Micron Associates: Headlines