Deep Dive into Key 2020 Oil Market Themes
We expect Brent to average $63.3/bbl in 2020, with WTI at $58.0/bbl. Key themes on the supply side include the nature of the slowdown of US tight oil production growth (cyclical or structural) and OPEC’s dilemma surrounding Russian opposition to the extension of the current deal, the rehabilitation of Iranian barrels and the management of a potential 2H20 supply increase. Key themes on the demand side include the reliance on just three countries (China, India and the US) to underpin global growth, with a spotty and uneven economic recovery expected. In a weak refinery margin environment, a surge in new refinery capacity may not be additive for global runs, whilst the impact of IMO 2020 is likely to continue to reverberate beyond the bunker market as a strong preference for ULSFO emerges from the shipping sector.