SummaryCompaniesSaudi Arabia working to prevent Gaza conflict spreadingGlobal oil inventories to fall in the second half of 2023 – EIAU.S. economy outlook uncertain - Fed minutesAPI shows U.S. crude stockpiles gained last week – sourcesNEW YORK, Oct 11 (Reuters) – Oil prices fell over 2% on Wednesday as fears of disruption to supplies due to conflict in the Middle East receded a day after top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia pledged to help stabilise the market.Brent futures fell $1.83, or 2.1%, to settle at $85.82 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $2.48, or 2.9%, to settle at $83.49.Brent and WTI had surged by more than $3.50 per barrel on Monday over concern the clashes between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas could escalate into a broader conflict that would disrupt global oil supply.Prices settled slightly lower on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia said it was working with regional and international partners to prevent an escalation, and reaffirmed its efforts to stabilise oil markets.”Both WTI and Brent retreated yesterday as concerns of a sudden and unexpected supply disruption have been swept aside for now,” PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.Trading house Mercuria sees oil prices reaching $100 a barrel if the situation in the Middle East escalates further, deputy CEO Magid Shenouda said on Wednesday.”The only thing that is becoming clear for energy traders is that the road for the global growth recovery is getting rockier,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, noting the “U.S. consumer is weakening (and) Germany might be headed for a deeper recession.”In Europe, the German government confirmed it expects the economy to contract by 0.4% this year because of persistently high inflation.Russia and Saudi Arabia met in Moscow on Wednesday, when Russian President Vladimir Putin said that OPEC+ coordination will continue “for the predictability of the oil market.”OPEC+ is the partnership between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia.Putin also urged companies to prioritise the Russian domestic market. The country’s ban on gasoline and some diesel exports was rolled back again last week as diesel exports that arrive at ports by pipeline were permitted.In the U.S., producer prices increased more than expected in September amid higher costs for energy products and food, but underlying inflation pressures at the factory gate continued to abate.U.S. investors will be looking ahead to the release of the Federal Reserve’s September policy meeting minutes due later on Wednesday for clues on future interest rate decisions.Interest rate hikes to tame inflation can slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that she still expected the U.S. economy to experience a soft landing, despite “additional concerns” brought about by the situation in Israel.Uncertainty around the path of the U.S. economy pushed Federal Reserve officials into a…
Article from www.reuters.com rnrn