West Texas Intermediate oil fell below US$55 a barrel for the first time since February 2021, the latest sign that crude supplies are outpacing demand as the market braces for a large surplus. Earlier in the session, global benchmark Brent fell below US$60 a barrel for the first time since May.
Oil prices should improve next year, driven by healthy demand, TotalEnergies’ chief executive Patrick Pouyanne told Bloomberg, noting that a supply response from OPEC will also likely contribute to the rebalancing of oil markets.
Curious Minds Corner
What’s the difference between conventional and unconventional natural gas?
Conventional gas comes from porous, permeable reservoirs; unconventional gas is trapped in low-permeability rock (tight sandstones, shale, coal seams), often requiring special techniques like fracking.