WASHINGTON: Oil prices dropped to a 12-week low in volatile trade on Wednesday, extending Tuesday’s heavy losses as growing fears of demand destruction from a global recession outweighed supply concerns.
Brent futures for September delivery fell $2.99, or 2.9 per cent, to $99.78 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $3.19, or 3.2pc, to $96.31.
That puts WTI and Brent on track for their lowest closes since April 11, after Brent fell 9pc and WTI fell 8pc on Tuesday.
It also put both benchmarks in technically oversold territory with a relative strength index (RSI) below 30 for a second day in a row. If Brent closes at that level, it would be the first time it remains in oversold territory for two days since December 2021.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs said the oil sell-off was driven by growing recession fears.
Germany’s government borrowing costs fell to a five-week low as mounting concern about a darkening economic outlook drove investors into safe-haven debt.
US stock indexes slipped on Wednesday as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s meeting to gauge the health of the economy and the pace of interest rate hikes to stamp out spiking inflation.
Oil prices were also knocked down by a soaring US dollar , which rose to a near 20-year high against a basket of other currencies.
A stronger US dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, which can curb demand.
In China, the world’s biggest oil importer, the market worried that new Covid-19 lockdowns could cut demand.
China’s crude oil imports from Russia, meanwhile, soared 55pc from a year earlier to a record level in May.
Russia displaced Saudi Arabia as the top supplier as refiners cashed in on discounted supplies amid sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Adding to downward pressure on oil prices, Equinor ASA said all oil and gas fields affected by a strike in Norway’s petroleum sector are expected to be back in full operation within a couple of days.
Iran said it sought a strong and lasting nuclear agreement with world powers following talks with US ally Qatar on easing stalled efforts to revive a 2015 nuclear pact.
Analysts have said a nuclear deal with Iran could add about 1 million barrels per day of crude to world supply.
Trade was volatile on Wednesday. Both benchmarks were up over $2 a barrel earlier in the day on supply concerns.
