MA(9): $63.2
MA(20): $63.47
MACD: -0.4358
Signal: -0.4434
Days since crossover: 6
Value: 42.15
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 6,493
Avg (20d): 201,780
Ratio: 0.03
%K: 11.48
%D: 28.21
ADX: 10.6
+DI: 14.31
-DI: 21.97
Value: -88.52
Upper: 65.45
Middle: 63.47
Lower: 61.49
| 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 |
Brent crude (NOV 25) settled at $66.68, change $-0.76. WTI crude (OCT 25) settled at $62.68, change $-0.89. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.0 (Brent premium of $4.00). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
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 and a consistent demand outlook, production levels from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries are showing signs of adjustment to balance supply and demand dynamics.
| Category | Production (mb/d) | Demand (mb/d) |
|---|---|---|
| World Production | 105.135 | 105.135 |
| Americas | 25.102 | 25.102 |
| Europe | 13.542 | 13.542 |
| Asia Pacific | 7.165 | 7.165 |
| Total OECD | 45.810 | 45.810 |
| China | 16.853 | 16.853 |
| India | 5.704 | 5.704 |
| Other Asia | 9.908 | 9.908 |
| Latin America | 6.891 | 6.891 |
| Middle East | 9.014 | 9.014 |
| Africa | 4.804 | 4.804 |
| Russia | 4.024 | 4.024 |
| Other Eurasia | 1.308 | 1.308 |
| Other Europe | 0.820 | 0.820 |
| Total Non-OECD | 59.326 | 59.326 |
The current data indicates that global oil demand matches production levels at approximately 105.135 mb/d, suggesting a balanced market. However, with slight fluctuations in production from OPEC and non-OPEC countries, any minor shifts could lead to surplus or deficits, impacting price stability and market confidence.
In 2025, the Americas lead global production with 25.102 mb/d, followed by Europe at 13.542 mb/d and Asia Pacific at 7.165 mb/d. Notably, the Middle East contributes 9.014 mb/d, while Russia's production stands at 4.024 mb/d. The data suggests a stable production environment with slight increases in output from key regions.
Global oil demand is projected to grow steadily, with significant contributions from China (16.853 mb/d) and India (5.704 mb/d). The non-OECD regions are expected to drive most of the demand growth, particularly in Asia, where demand is forecasted to expand significantly. However, challenges such as economic uncertainties in specific regions may hinder growth.
Non-DoC production is robust, led by the US at 22.068 mb/d, contributing significantly to global supply. In contrast, DoC production averages around 42.40 mb/d, indicating that while OPEC countries maintain a substantial share of the market, non-OPEC producers are increasingly influential in shaping global oil supply dynamics.
OPEC's current market position appears stable, with production adjustments in response to global demand trends. The organization is likely to continue monitoring market conditions closely, potentially adjusting output strategies to maintain price stability and market share amid increasing competition from non-OPEC producers.
As global economic growth remains steady, oil demand is expected to rise, particularly in non-OECD countries. However, potential economic headwinds and geopolitical factors could introduce volatility in the market. OPEC's ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial in maintaining balance and ensuring sustainable pricing.
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-09-16
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 1,962,620 contracts (+5,505)
Managed Money Net Position: 36,799 contracts (1.9% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: +26,797 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 292,741 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -407,490 contracts
Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish and Strengthening
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.
| Date | Prediction | Lower Bound | Upper Bound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-20 | $62.64 | $60.76 | $64.52 |
| 2025-09-21 | $62.6 | $60.72 | $64.47 |
| 2025-09-22 | $62.65 | $60.78 | $64.53 |
| 2025-09-23 | $62.7 | $60.82 | $64.58 |
| 2025-09-24 | $62.75 | $60.87 | $64.63 |
The recent price movements indicate a bearish sentiment in the market, with the OPEC Reference Basket averaging $69.73/b and ICE Brent at $67.26/b. The widening $3.24/b Brent-WTI spread suggests that global supply dynamics are impacting U.S. prices more significantly. Traders should monitor support levels around $64.00/b for WTI and consider resistance levels near $67.00/b for Brent. The increased bearish positioning from managed money, now net short, indicates potential volatility ahead. Short-term opportunities may arise from fluctuations in response to geopolitical developments or unexpected inventory changes.
With the bearish market sentiment and rising inventory levels, producers should reassess their hedging strategies. The recent increase in OECD crude oil commercial stocks suggests a need for careful production planning to avoid oversupply. The balance between supply and demand remains tight, with non-DoC production expected to grow, primarily driven by the U.S., Brazil, Canada, and Argentina. This environment may favor producers with flexible operational capabilities to adapt to changing market conditions.
As crude prices remain under pressure, consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations. The $66.68 Brent price and $62.68 WTI price indicate that procurement strategies should consider the current market dynamics. Geopolitical risks, particularly around Russian supply, may impact availability, so maintaining a diverse supply chain is crucial. Additionally, with refinery margins trending upwards in the U.S., there may be opportunities to optimize operational costs through strategic procurement.
The Crude Oil market is currently experiencing a bearish sentiment, driven by increased speculative selling and rising inventories. The balance of supply and demand indicates modest growth in global oil demand against a backdrop of increasing non-DoC production. The $3.24/b Brent-WTI spread reflects the impact of global supply dynamics versus U.S. market conditions. Analysts should focus on geopolitical developments and inventory reports as key indicators for potential market shifts, particularly as managed money positioning suggests a sentiment shift may be on the horizon.