Crude falls under $50/bl

摘要

Crude prices started this year at five-year lows, amid plentiful global supplies and with oil demand growth yet to show signs of accelerating. Atlantic basin benchmark North Sea Dated fell by $9.82/bl to $49.25/bl in the three weeks to 8 January, while US marker February WTI fell by $5.57/bl to $48.79/bl. North Sea Dated fell below $50/bl for the first time in over five and a half years on 7 January, as loading programmes suggested supplies of its component grades Brent, Forties, Oseberg and Ekofisk would increase in February. WTI traded below the $50/bl mark on 5 January for the first time since April 2009.