Oil prices closed slightly higher on Friday, supported by reports that Iran may be preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraq, yet record-high U.S. output kept price increases in check. Brent crude futures rose 0.4% to $73.10 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.3% to $69.49.
For the week, Brent posted a 4% decline, and WTI dropped around 3% as higher U.S. production offset Middle East tensions. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently reported a record 13.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in production.
Key drivers in the oil market this week include:
- Geopolitical tensions: Israeli intelligence reports indicate possible retaliatory actions by Iran, which could escalate regional instability.
- OPEC+ considerations: The group may delay its planned December production increase due to weak demand concerns.
- U.S. production: Major players like ExxonMobil and Chevron reported record output levels, influencing supply.
Expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut next week could further impact oil demand, as lower borrowing costs generally stimulate economic growth and fuel consumption.
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