US fuel demand continues to increase

Oil was up Friday morning in Asia, ending the week by extending gains from the highest close in more than two years. Optimism as US fuel demand continues to increase gave the black liquid a boost, even as concerns over a potential Iranian supply increase remained.

Brent oil futures were up 0.40% to $69.48 by 10:07 PM ET (2:07 AM GMT), inching towards the $70 mark. WTI futures gained 0.54% to $67.21, after settling at its highest finish since October 2018.

A successful Covid-19 vaccine drive in the US has led to a pickup in fuel demand ahead of the summer driving season that starts over the weekend. Both the American Petroleum Institute and the US Energy Information Administration also reported draws in US crude oil supplies earlier in the week.

Oil is set to report a fourth monthly gain for May, as the fuel demand outlook continues to brighten as some countries, such as the US, Europe and China continue their economic recoveries. The number of U.S. initial jobless claims for the week fell to a new 14-month low of 406,000, according to data released on Thursday.

However, investor sentiment continues to be damped by the outbreaks in other countries such as Japan, where a state of emergency covering Tokyo and other key cities is set to be extended until Jun. 20.

Meanwhile, investors also continue to monitor the talks between Iran and other world powers, taking place throughout the week in Vienna. Should both sides revive a 2015 nuclear deal and the US lift its current sanctions against Iran, the latter is predicted to add between 500,000 barrels a day (bpd) and 1.5 million bpd of crude and condensate to the market.

The Iranian supply increase comes just as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (<a href=’https://theenergyyear.com/companies-institutions/opec/’>OPEC+) is expected to relax its curbs on exports.

OPEC+ ministers will meet on Jun. 1, where it is widely expected that they will ratify an 840,000 bpd increase scheduled for July, the third and final phase of a plan to revive around 2 million barrels of global production over the summer season.

First published on Investing.com