Oil Prices May Come Under Pressure as Storage Limits Begin to Hit

“Oil prices remain volatile. The recent rally in the oil markets has seemingly run out of steam as bearish supply-side factors appear to be dictating the directional move in oil price.”

“The contango continues to act as a stimulus for demand in the short-term. The ‘storage play’ remains an attractive strategy for those with capacity to store, which in turn is helping the market maintain a quasi-equilibrium. However, as we approach storage limits, which are expected to be hit in the second to third quarter, oil prices may come under pressure as the supply glut can no longer be absorbed by storage tanks.”

“Fundamentally the market remains oversupplied with many still feeling the effects of Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ decision to maintain its 30/million barrels per day production quota, coupled with the burgeoning US shale production boom. For the market to successfully absorb the excess barrels, an increase in consumer-led demand is needed.”