Massive inventory declines in crude oil are part of a three-month trend, heating oil prices continue their relentless rise, and the supply disruption premium is in full effect. This may only be the beginning; the winter oil bull run has begun.
OPEC is likely to be a critical event next week. A cut in production, however, seems quite unlikely despite slower fourth-quarter U.S. GDP growth out today and a well-supplied market. The specter of oil supply disruption haunts energy markets.
The supply disruption premium has overwhelmed fundamental physical supply in the marketplace as issue number one.
The tangible, physical disruption of Nigerian supply has propped up prices over the past few weeks.