Oil Production Increases In The U.S.

 | Dec 18, 2017 07:09AM ET

Oil production increases in the US

Oil quotes may correct down amid the production growth in the US. Gold prices are increasing from a 5-month low. Will the XAU/OIL quotes rise?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) raised the forecast for oil production increase in the US in 2018 from 790,000 to 870,000 barrels per day (bpd). OPEC expects the US production to grow by 1.05 mln bpd. The official forecast from the U.S. Energy Information Administration assumes an increase in the US oil production by 780 thousand bpd in the next year. Currently, 9.78 mln bpd are produced there. Increasing oil production may decrease its quotes. The US oil reserves have been declining for the fourth consecutive week and have reached 443 mln barrels. The IEA announced that oil reserves in all developed countries - the main oil consumers, fell by 40.3 mln barrels to 2.94 bln barrels in October 2017. This level is the lowest since July 2015 and by only 111 mln barrels higher than their average volume for the last 5 years. Previously, OPEC and independent producers announced that the oil production limitation will remain in force until the reserves of the developed countries are equal to the 5-year average volume. The annulment of the oil production limitation of the OPEC + agreement may increase the world market supply and decrease its quotes. Last week gold prices increased for the first time in 4 weeks. The Fed raised the rate, as expected, but the next rate hike is not expected soon. The US dollar index corrected down. Gold prices may continue to rise in case of increased political risks in the world.