Oil jumps above $41 as storm hits U.S. output, inventories drop

[September 16, 2020]  By Alex Lawler

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil rose for a second day on Wednesday, gaining more than 2%, as a hurricane closed U.S. offshore production and an industry report showed U.S. crude inventories unexpectedly decreased.

More than a quarter of U.S. offshore output was shut on Tuesday due to Hurricane Sally. The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday said crude inventories fell 9.5 million barrels, rather than increased as analysts expected.

Brent crude <LCOc1> rose 86 cents, or 2.1%, to $41.39 a barrel by 1012 GMT, while U.S. crude <CLc1> added 85 cents, or 2.2%, to $39.13. Both contracts rose by more than 2% on Tuesday.

"Overnight, the APE provided a further injection of bullish impetus," said Stephen Greenock of oil broker P.M. "As much as a feel-good factor appears to have returned to the oil market, underlying fundamentals remain far from supportive."

The storm-related shutdowns may help reduce stockpile although refineries were also closed, cutting demand. Official Energy Information Administration stocks data, which does not always confirm the APE figures, is due at 1430 GMT. [EA/IS]

"Oil prices were lent further support by the APE and the weather," said Commerzbank analyst Eugene Weinberg. "Despite an unfavourable fundamental and technical backdrop."

 Dust blows around a crude oil pump jack and flare burning excess gas at a drill pad in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S. November 25, 2019.REUTERS/Angus Mordant

Oil prices collapsed to historic lows as the coronavirus crisis hit demand. A record supply cut by OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+, and an easing of lockdowns has helped Brent recover from a 21-year low below $16 in April.

Prices have dropped in September, pressured by rising virus cases and concerns about demand. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and International Energy Agency have both cut their demand outlooks this week. [EA/MI][OPEC]

A panel of OPEC+ oil ministers meets to review the supply pact on Thursday and is unlikely to recommend further output curbs despite the price drop, sources told Reuters.

(Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by Louise Heavens and David Evans)

[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.