City
Epaper

US oil futures slump to historic lows below zero, Brent plunges

By ANI | Updated: April 21, 2020 16:50 IST

Oil prices continued to crash on Tuesday after a stunning collapse a day earlier that saw US crude futures plunge below zero for the first time in history as reports said the United States could run out of storage for a glut caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

Open in App
Oil prices continued to crash on Tuesday after a stunning collapse a day earlier that saw US crude futures plunge below zero for the first time in history as reports said the United States could run out of storage for a glut caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

Global benchmark Brent crude also fell sharply in response to the collapse of demand following reduced economic activity.

US oil futures for May delivery were last trading below zero dollar a barrel again after briefly rising above one dollar a barrel. The May contract which expires later today finished regular trading Monday at minus 37.63 dollars a barrel.

The West Texas Intermediate June contract, which was traded more actively, crashed more than 11 per cent to 18.14 dollars a barrel. Brent, the global benchmark, also plummeted nearly 22 per cent, last trading at 19.92 dollars a barrel.

According to CNN, the coronavirus pandemic has caused oil demand to evaporate so rapidly that the world is running out of room to store barrels that nobody wants.

A new agreement about a week ago by Saudi Arabia and Russia along with other producers to cut supply by a record amount has failed to convince traders that the supply glut will ease any time soon.

The market will likely continue to be pressured in the coming weeks, CNN reported quoting a research note by Bjornar Tonhaugen, Head of Oil Markets at Rystad Energy. He noted that the OPEC+ cuts only go into effect in May.

And while the group has agreed to cut oil production by historic amounts, Tonhaugen said the market needs to see a lot of additional cuts to account for a massive decline in demand for oil.

( With inputs from ANI )

Tags: Head of oil markets at rystad energyBjornar tonhaugenCNNFacebook group
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalJim Acosta Expected to Leave CNN Network After Removal from Weekday Time Slot

InternationalBiden vs Trump Presidential Debate 2024: Donald Trump Declared Clear Winner of First US Election Debate, Joe Biden Polls at 33%

TechnologyTikTok Hack: Cyberattack Targeted Brands and Celebrity Accounts, Including CNN, Says Chinese App

InternationalIsrael-Hamas War: Multiple Explosions Reported in Rafah Area of Southern Gaza

InternationalIsraeli Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Plan To Return Palestinian Hospital Patients to Gaza After Doctors’ Appeal

Business Realted Stories

BusinessMillions benefited from Ayushman health cards, now is the time for Delhi: Hardeep Puri

BusinessViksit Bharat will be driven by start-ups and innovation: IIT Madras Director

BusinessIndia sees robust 10.35 pc annual growth in domestic airline passengers in FY25

BusinessSwiggi Instamart to create dedicated 'cooperative' category on its platform, signs MoU

BusinessIDFC FIRST Bank posts nearly 60 pc net profit loss at Rs 295.6 crore in Q4 FY25