Yemisi Izuora
International oil prices hit their highest levels since late 2014 on Tuesday, pushed up by expectations of renewed U.S. sanctions against Iran and as Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, continues withholding supplies amid strong demand.
On the strength of the fears, Brent crude futures , the international benchmark for oil prices, climbed as high as $75.20 in early trading on Tuesday, levels not seen since November, 2014. Brent was still at $74.89 a barrel up 18 cents, or 0.2 percent from its last close.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $68.84 a barrel, up 20 cents, or 0.3 percent from their last settlement.
Markets have been lifted by supply cuts led by the OPEC which were introduced in 2017 with the aim of propping up the market, as well as by the potential of renewed U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
The United States has until May 12 to decide whether it will leave the Iran nuclear deal and instead renew sanctions against the OPEC member, which would further tighten global supplies.
“Crude prices are now sitting at the highest levels in three years, reflecting ongoing concerns around geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which is the source of nearly half of the world’s oil supply,” ANZ bank said on Tuesday.
OPEC’s efforts to tighten markets are being led by top exporter Saudi Arabia, where state-controlled oil firm Saudi Aramco is pushing for higher prices ahead of a partial listing planned for later this year or 2019.
“Oil strength is coming from Saudi Arabia’s recent commitment to get oil back up to between $70 to $80 per barrel as well as inventory levels that are back in the normal range,” said William O’Loughlin, investment analyst at Australia’s Rivkin Securities.
The OPEC supply management and threat of new sanctions come just as demand in Asia, the world’s biggest oil consuming region, hits a fresh record as new and expanded refineries start up from China to Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Iran’s oil minister said that if crude oil prices continued to rise there would be no need to extend a pact between OPEC and non-OPEC producers aimed at bolstering prices, the ministry’s official website SHANA reported on Monday.
“There will be no decision on this in OPEC’s next meeting if oil prices continue to increase, there will be no need to extend the deal,” Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying by SHANA.
He also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of not favouring lower oil prices, despite his criticism of OPEC’s role in pushing up global oil prices on Friday.