WTI Falls Below $74 Amid OPEC+ Plans to Reduce Production Cuts

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices continued their downward trend for the fifth consecutive day, trading at approximately $73.90 per barrel during the Asian trading session on Tuesday. This recent decline in crude oil prices stems from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, announcing a plan to gradually ease oil production cuts.

OPEC+ has scheduled a phased rollback of their voluntary production cuts totaling 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), beginning in October. By December, it is anticipated that over 500,000 bpd will re-enter the market, culminating in a total of 1.8 million bpd by June 2025. This move is aimed at stabilizing the oil market which has experienced significant fluctuations.

In a related development, the United States has announced the purchase of an additional 3 million barrels of oil for the country’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This decision, made by the Department of Energy, is part of a broader effort to gradually replenish the reserve following its largest-ever depletion in 2022. Last year, under directives from President Joe Biden, 180 million barrels were released over six months to help manage fuel prices in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which had spiked global oil prices.

Additionally, recent U.S. economic data revealed some easing in price pressures. The latest Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data for April showed a softening in inflation, although this did not prompt an immediate rate cut from the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed’s hesitation suggests that more time may be needed to meet its inflation targets. Concurrently, the persistently high interest rates are casting a shadow over the U.S. economic outlook, curbing oil demand as higher borrowing costs weigh on economic activities.

Overall, these developments reflect a complex interplay between global oil supply adjustments by OPEC+, strategic reserve policies of the U.S., and broader economic conditions, all of which are contributing to the current trends in oil market dynamics.