Crude Oil Radar

2025-09-18 22:28

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 09/18/2025 Focus: Crude Oil
Crude broke above the 63.80 with some more news about Russian Supply risks - from a technical move - breaking above 63.80 is very pivotal - however it is still only “marginally” up. Watching for a re-test of 63.80 - but if we get over 66.84 - we are likely going to run to the $70s and beyond. Fundamentals are ironically looking bearish so I expect this bullish move to be a temporary one - and we will hit the $50s before launching into a long and strong bull move!

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-09-18 22:24:17 Length: 480 chars
Crude Oil recently broke above the pivotal $63.80 level, driven by concerns over Russian supply risks, yet the current bullish sentiment may be short-lived as fundamentals appear bearish. Recent articles highlight mixed signals, with a stronger dollar and ample supply weighing on prices. Traders should monitor a potential re-test of $63.80; if surpassed, prices could move towards the $70s. However, a retreat to the $50s is anticipated before a long-term bullish trend could...

Market Summary

Technical Outlook

Moderately Bearish
Score: -2/5
Short: SELL | Medium: BUY | Long: SELL

International Prices

Brent: $67.95 $0.52
WTI: $64.05 $0.47
Spread: $3.9 (Brent premium of $3.90)

Key Fundamentals

Crude Stocks: N/A (0)
Net Imports: N/A (0)

News Sentiment

BEARISH

Spec Positioning

Net Position: 10,002
Weekly Change: 17,321

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $63.16
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $63.18

MA(20): $63.58

Current Price is 63.16, 9 day MA 63.18, 20 day MA 63.58

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.3355

Signal: -0.4765

Days since crossover: 4

MACD crossed the line 4 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 47.08

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 47.08 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 5,678

Avg (20d): 216,931

Ratio: 0.03

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BEARISH CROSS

%K: 37.34

%D: 53.71

Stochastic %K: 37.34, %D: 53.71. Signal: bearish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 9.42

+DI: 16.14

-DI: 16.48

ADX: 9.42 (+DI: 16.14, -DI: 16.48). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -62.66

Williams %R: -62.66 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 65.4

Middle: 63.58

Lower: 61.76

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 65.4, Middle: 63.58, Lower: 61.76

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) 13482.0 13495.0 13300.0 12733.33
Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 5692.0 6271.0 6867.0 6595.33
Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 5277.0 2745.0 3305.0 4398.67
Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) 16424.0 16818.0 16759.0 16378.67
Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 415.0 3526.0 3562.0 2196.67
Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 415361.0 424646.0 419143.0 422247.67
Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 1688149.0 1686474.0 1659136.0 1649988.67
Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 217650.0 219997.0 221552.0 218569.0
Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 124684.0 120638.0 125023.0 120688.0

International Price Analysis

International Price Summary

Brent crude (NOV 25) settled at $67.95, change $-0.52. WTI crude (OCT 25) settled at $64.05, change $-0.47. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.9 (Brent premium of $3.90). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.

Brent Crude

$67.95
0.52
(NOV 25)

WTI Crude

$64.05
0.47
(OCT 25)

Brent-WTI Spread

$3.9
Brent premium of $3.90

OPEC Analysis

OPEC Market Analysis

Executive Summary:

The current OPEC market situation reflects a slight decline in crude oil prices, with the OPEC Reference Basket averaging $69.73/b in August. Despite a stable global economic growth forecast, oil demand growth remains modest, leading to a delicate balance between supply and demand in the market.

Key Market Metrics:

Category Production (mb/d) Demand (mb/d)
World Production 104.428 mb/d 105.135 mb/d
Non-DoC Production 51.440 mb/d N/A
DoC Production 42.40 mb/d N/A

Supply-Demand Balance Analysis:

The analysis indicates a slight deficit in the global oil market, with total world demand at 105.135 mb/d compared to total production of 104.428 mb/d. This results in a supply shortfall, which could lead to upward pressure on prices if the trend continues.

Production Landscape:

In 2025, the major contributors to global oil production include the US (22.068 mb/d), Canada (6.060 mb/d), and Brazil (4.389 mb/d). The production from OPEC countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) has seen an increase to 42.40 mb/d, reflecting a coordinated effort to stabilize the market.

Demand Patterns:

Global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with significant contributions from the non-OECD regions, particularly China (16.852 mb/d) and India (5.704 mb/d). However, demand growth in OECD countries remains subdued, indicating potential challenges in sustaining overall demand growth.

Non-DoC vs DoC Analysis:

Non-DoC production stands at 51.440 mb/d, significantly contributing to global supply, while DoC production is at 42.40 mb/d. The disparity highlights the increasing role of non-OPEC producers in meeting global oil demand, which may influence OPEC's strategic decisions moving forward.

OPEC's Strategic Position:

OPEC's current market position is characterized by a cautious approach to production levels amidst fluctuating demand and prices. The organization may consider adjusting output to address the supply-demand imbalance and stabilize prices in the coming months.

Forward-Looking Indicators:

As the market navigates through modest demand growth and increasing production from non-OPEC countries, OPEC may need to reassess its production strategies. The outlook suggests potential volatility in oil prices, influenced by geopolitical factors and economic conditions in major consuming countries.

Key Insights and Recommendations:

  • Monitor the ongoing balance between supply and demand closely, as a sustained deficit may lead to price increases.
  • Evaluate the impact of non-OPEC production on market dynamics and consider strategic adjustments to output levels.
  • Stay informed on economic growth forecasts in major consuming regions to anticipate changes in demand patterns.
  • Consider the implications of geopolitical developments on oil supply and pricing strategies.
  • Engage with stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to production that supports market stability.

CFTC CoT Analysis

Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range
Report Date: 2025-09-09

Managed Money

10,002
Change: -17,321
0.5% of OI

Producer/Merchant

301,400
Change: +1,664
15.4% of OI

Swap Dealers

-403,555
Change: +17,576
-20.6% of OI

Open Interest

1,957,115
Change: -30,746

Summary Analysis:

CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-09-09

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):

Open Interest: 1,957,115 contracts (-30,746)

Managed Money Net Position: 10,002 contracts (0.5% of OI)

Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -17,321 contracts

Producer/Merchant Net Position: 301,400 contracts

Swap Dealer Net Position: -403,555 contracts

Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish but Weakening

Positioning Analysis (Managed Money): Normal Range

Key Takeaways:

- Managed Money traders are large speculators, often driving price trends in Crude Oil.

- Producer/Merchant positions primarily reflect hedging activity.

- Swap Dealers act as intermediaries.

- Extreme positioning by Managed Money can indicate potential market reversals.

- CFTC data reports positions as of the report date, usually released each Friday.

About Disaggregated CoT Reports:

The Disaggregated CoT report provides a more detailed breakdown of futures market open interest.

It categorizes traders into: Producer/Merchant/Processor/User (Commercials), Swap Dealers, Managed Money (Speculators), and Other Reportables.

News Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.4
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 64
Last Updated: 2025-09-18 22:27:00

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

-0.4

Top News Topics

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

NEGATIVE - Economic indicators showing headwinds
Dollar Impact: Strong USD may pressure commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Weaker industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

97.46
Daily: 0.59 (0.61%)
Weekly: -0.09 (-0.09%)

US_10Y

4.1
Daily: 0.03 (0.69%)
Weekly: 0.04 (1.06%)

SP500

6631.96
Daily: 31.61 (0.48%)
Weekly: 47.67 (0.72%)

VIX

15.7
Daily: -0.02 (-0.13%)
Weekly: 0.94 (6.37%)

GOLD

3676.6
Daily: -5.2 (-0.14%)
Weekly: 27.2 (0.75%)

COPPER

4.6
Daily: 0.03 (0.72%)
Weekly: 0.02 (0.34%)

Fibonacci Analysis

Current Price: $63.16
Closest Support: $61.45 2.71% below current price
Closest Resistance: $63.59 0.68% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $61.45 Support
0.236 $63.59 Resistance
0.382 $64.91
0.5 $65.98
0.618 $67.05
0.786 $68.57
1.0 $70.51

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $72.97
1.618 $76.11
2.0 $79.57
2.618 $85.17

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $63.57
Forecast Generated: 2025-09-18 22:27:03
Next Trading Day: DOWN 0.1%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-09-19 $63.51 $61.66 $65.36
2025-09-20 $63.46 $61.61 $65.31
2025-09-21 $63.42 $61.57 $65.27
2025-09-22 $63.46 $61.61 $65.31
2025-09-23 $63.49 $61.64 $65.34

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~0.10% for the next trading day (2025-09-19), reaching $63.51.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-09-19 and 2025-09-23.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~5.8% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Bearish signal, moderate uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

Current market dynamics indicate a bearish sentiment, with the Brent crude settling at $67.95 and WTI at $64.05. The widening Brent-WTI spread of $3.90 suggests divergence in supply-demand dynamics, influenced by geopolitical factors and transportation costs. Traders should monitor key support levels around $64.00 for WTI and $67.00 for Brent, with potential volatility expected due to bearish positioning from managed money.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

With OECD commercial inventories showing a slight increase, producers may need to adjust production levels to avoid oversupply. The bearish market sentiment, coupled with a decline in crude oil prices, suggests that hedging strategies should be revisited to mitigate financial risks. Additionally, the growth in non-DoC liquids production from the US, Brazil, and Canada necessitates careful planning regarding market entry and pricing strategies.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Refineries/Transportation):

Consumers should brace for potential fluctuations in input costs as geopolitical tensions and bearish sentiment could impact WTI and Brent crude prices. The supply reliability risks are heightened due to fluctuating inventory levels and international supply dynamics. Strategic procurement and hedging may be necessary to manage costs effectively in the face of these uncertainties.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The current crude oil market presents a complex picture, with bearish sentiment dominating due to speculative selling pressure and a tightening supply-demand balance indicated by rising inventories. The CFTC positioning shows managed money turning net short, suggesting potential for price corrections. Analysts should focus on geopolitical developments, particularly concerning Russian supply, as they are likely to influence market sentiment and price trajectories in the short term.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or specific buy/sell recommendations.