02 January 2019, Sweetcrude, Lagos — Oil industry experts expect a rebound in crude oil prices this year, citing misplaced fears of a recession.
The Brent benchmark will average $70 a barrel in 2019, almost a third higher than its price last week, according to a Bloomberg survey of oil analysts.
Futures in London and New York plunged last quarter, with volatility soaring in its final week as crude tracked gyrations in equity markets.
Despite plans by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and its allies to limit production in the new year to prevent a glut from forming, oil’s fortunes have increasingly been driven by moves in financial assets and concerns about the global economy. However, analysts expect markets are about to tighten as growth stays strong, OPEC’s supply cuts kick in, and unintended losses in Venezuela and Iran escalate.
“We could even see something similar to a V-shaped recovery next year, on two very important conditions,” said Michael Cohen, head of energy and commodities research at Barclays Plc in New York. “One, that the reduction in OPEC exports leads to a reduction in inventories. And two, that we don’t see a further deterioration in macroeconomic conditions.”
The recent weakness in financial assets has been led by a darkening outlook for the global economy amid prolonged trade dispute between the U.S. and China, and as the U.S. Federal Reserve embarks on tightening monetary policy.
While the ensuing retreat in oil prices has brought relief to consumers, it’s battered the shares of companies like Exxon Mobil Corp. and BP Plc, as well as the economies of producers like Saudi Arabia.
So far, though, most commentators aren’t seeing an actual recession biting the oil market next year. The median forecast of 24 oil analysts in a Bloomberg survey projects that London-traded Brent will average $70 a barrel in 2019. The price last week was about $53.50 while the average so far in 2018 has been about $72.
The median forecast for West Texas Intermediate, WTI, is $61.13. The grade traded at about $45.50 last week.
