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Oil prices are on the rise once more in the markets. They reached their highest level since 2014. A surge in prices fueled by supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions from the Gulf to Ukraine.
North Sea Brent crude rose above $88 a barrel in London, while US crude soared earlier this week to more than $85 a barrel in New York. The first factor behind this outbreak of black gold, production interruptions in Libya, Nigeria, Angola, Ecuador and, more recently, in Canada, due to extreme cold.
Another factor that boosted prices: geopolitical tensions. In the Gulf, Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked facilities in the United Arab Emirates, causing several deaths. Three tank trucks have indeed exploded near the storage tanks of the oil company of Abu Dhabi.
The request resumes
Added to this is the threat of a invasion de l’Ukraine by Russia. This conflict might lead to disruptions in Russian gas supplies. Crude prices might therefore rise further following an increase in demand for diesel and fuel oil to replace natural gas.
Tensions are building as demand for oil picks up around the world. In terms of the health crisis, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 proved to be much less severe than its predecessors, and therefore did not lead to economic paralysis. Beyond all these factors, the sector is also paying for the lack of investment in recent years.
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Soon 90 dollars a barrel
The only solution to slow this surge in prices: pump more crude. But according to many specialists, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, refuse to pump more than was agreed last year, namely 400,000 barrels per day.
In view of all these elements, many analysts now expect crude prices to soon exceed 90 dollars a barrel, or even the 100 dollar mark. What seemed impossible a few months ago.
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