This week crude oil prices have followed mixed trend. On Thursday oil prices steadied, after the International Energy Agency's warned that the world's oil supply cushion "might be stretched to the limit" due to production losses in several different countries.
Brent prices rallied on Thursday, recouping some ground following sharp losses the previous session after Libya said it would resume oil exports. Brent crude oil gained 59 cents a barrel to trade at $74/bbl. On Wednesday, the global benchmark slumped $5.46, its biggest one-day fall in two years.
On Thursday, closing crude values have remained mixed. WTI on NYME closed at $70.33/bbl; prices have decreased by $0.05/bbl in compared to last closing prices. While Brent on Inter Continental Exchange increased by $1.05/bbl in compare to last closing price and was assessed around $74.45/bbl.
As per report, inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub had fallen 929,399 barrels from July 6 to July 10. Supply to the U.S. market has also been squeezed by the loss of some Canadian oil production.
The pullback has not yet derailed the possibility that Brent will recover to above $80 a barrel by the end of the year. Market players said t hat that if Brent pulls to below $70 a barrel, there is less of a chance that the market will recover as quickly.
