The oil price that didn’t bark in the night

Trick or trend: Saudi Arabia and Russia raise production ahead of June 22 OPEC meeting

At its June 22 meeting OPEC members and other producers, most importantly Russia, are supposed to decide whether or not to raise production above current quotas. However, it increasingly looks like Russia and Saudi Arabia, both of whom favor increasing production in order bring oil prices down and assure consumers that oil prices aren’t about to spike higher, have jumped the gun and started to raise production before any agreement.

The oil price that didn’t bark in the night

Saturday Night Quarterback (on Memorial Day) says, For the week ahead expect…

I expect the slide in oil prices to continue as speculation runs amok ahead of the June 22 OPEC meeting on production limits. This past week has seen oil give back just about all of its earlier recent gains. From May 21 through May 28 the futures contract for U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for July delivery dropped 8.1% to $66.36 a barrel. From May 23 to May 28 the futures contract for international benchmark Brent crude for July delivery fell 5.7% to $75.22 a barrel.

Now it’s the Saudis talking about increasing oil production

Yesterday, Russia sent oil prices tumbling by saying that it might be time for OPEC and its allies (including Russia) to revisit current production cuts. Today, it’s Saudi Arabia. “I think in the near future there will be time to release supply,” said Saudi Energy Minister Khalid  Al-Falih. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell to close down 4.41% today at $67.59. The international Brent benchmark dropped 3.2% to $76.27