IEA: Global Oil Demand & Supplies Rising, But Risks Are High

International Business Times

Published Jul 11, 2014 10:07AM ET

Updated Jul 11, 2014 10:19AM ET

IEA: Global Oil Demand & Supplies Rising, But Risks Are High

By Maria Gallucci - Global economic growth will drive up the world’s demand for oil next year, while accelerated production in the United States and Canada will help satiate that thirst, the International Energy Agency said Friday.

But the Paris-based energy watchdog cautioned against complacency, warning that geopolitical tensions in oil-producing nations and the unsteady economic recovery still pose acute risks to global oil markets, according to its monthly oil report.

“Supply risks in the Middle East and North Africa, not least in Iraq and Libya, remain extraordinarily high,” the IEA said, Reuters reported. “Oil prices remain historically high and there is no sign of a turning of the tide just yet.”

The IEA forecast that growth in demand for oil will accelerate to 1.4 million barrels a day in 2015, up from 1.2 million barrels a day this year as macroeconomic conditions improve. However, the 2014 demand forecast is down slightly – by about 130,000 barrels a day – from the IEA’s prediction a month ago, due to weaker than expected global mid-year economic data.

"Newly industrialized and emerging market economies are once again forecast to lead the gains," the IEA said.

Oil supply from non-Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will increase by around 1.2 million barrels a day next year, continuing the trend of rising North American production and eroding OPEC market share.