London's futures markets showed a 1.96% decline Tuesday for Brent crude oil to be delivered in October amid contracting demand, which drove it to US$ 80.69 as North Sea crude, the European benchmark, fell US$ 1.61 from the last Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) trading. Meanwhile, in New York, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in the same period fell 2.11% and closed at US$ 76.80.
Oil prices moved higher on Wednesday after an industry report showed that U.S. inventories of crude fell more than analysts had expected, bolstering hopes that fuel demand in the world's biggest economy can weather the coronavirus pandemic.
Oil prices opened about one percent lower on Sunday as a persistent glut continued to weigh on prices and COVID-19 eroded global oil demand even as some governments began to ease lockdowns.
US crude fell about 20% to below US$15 a barrel on Monday, its lowest level in about two decades, as a coronavirus-triggered collapse in demand eclipsed a deal to cut output. West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, fell 18.7% to US$14.84 a barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was off 1.5% at US$27.64 a barrel.
Crude oil benchmarks opened the month mixed on Wednesday, following their biggest-ever quarterly and monthly losses, overshadowed by fears of global oversupply as data showed a bigger-than-expected rise in inventories in the United States.
Oil prices plunged 30% in early trading after OPEC’s failure to strike a deal with its allies regarding production cuts caused Saudi Arabia to slash its prices as it reportedly gets set to ramp up production, leading to fears of an all-out price war.
Oil prices dropped on Wednesday after industry data showed a larger-than-expected build-up in U.S. crude stockpiles, but expectations for an easing of trade tensions between the United State and China capped losses.
Oil prices slipped on Tuesday as worries that a weakening global economy would dent demand for the commodity outweighed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) decision to extend supply cuts until next March.
Oil prices tumbled 4% on Wednesday to their lowest settlements in nearly five months, weakened by another unexpected rise in U.S. crude stockpiles and by a dimming outlook for global oil demand.
Oil prices edged up on Thursday to extend gains into a third straight session, as tensions in the Middle East stoked fears of potential disruptions to supply. Brent crude futures were at US$72.04 a barrel at 0110 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.4per cent, from their last close. Brent closed up 0.7per cent on Wednesday.