RECENT ENERGY PRICE DEVELOPMENTS

摘要

Spot prices for benchmark crudes firmed in June, supported by concern that Islamist militants would disrupt oil supplies in Iraq, but pulled back on signs that exports from the country's giant southern oil fields were continuing at near record rates. The prospect of higher Libyan crude oil exports also weighed. Lower-than-expected throughput rates in Asia put pressure on differentials for sweet crudes from the North Sea to North Africa, while sour grades from the Middle East found muted interest in the Far East. Spot prices averaged 111.67 USD/bbl for Brent, 108.06 USD/bbl for Dubai and 105.24 USD/bbl for WTI (West Texas Intermediate).