High inventories and the potential for US shale production to respond quickly to any market tightening mean oil prices may flatline in 2017 before gradually moving higher over the next few years, Fitch Ratings says.

We expect supply and demand to be broadly balanced in 1H17, with a move to a more pronounced deficit from 2H17. But the still-high commercial inventories may delay any significant price response. We have therefore maintained our base-case assumption, used when rating energy-sector corporates, that both Brent and WTI will average USD45/barrel in 2017. We have also maintained our USD55/barrel assumption for 2018 and introduced a 2019 price expectation of USD60, reflecting our belief that it may take longer to fully return to our long-term equilibrium price of USD65/barrel.

But there is significant uncertainty about the future path of oil prices. Unprecedented capex cuts could translate into a far sharper fall in output than the consensus expectation, while there is also potential for demand growth to slow if economic growth disappoints or for supply to be higher than expected if US shale comes back strongly as prices rise.

Our price assumptions do not factor in any impact from a possible OPEC production cut agreement during its meeting scheduled for 30 November. This is because even if a deal is agreed, its ability to have a lasting impact on prices is unclear and will depend on the size of the cuts and the willingness of members to stick to them.

We have also lowered some of our assumptions for UK National Balancing Point gas prices, a proxy for international spot gas. We believe National Balancing Point prices will remain subdued for longer due to a medium-term oversupply of liquefied natural gas.

For more details on our price assumptions and their key drivers, see “Oil Prices May Flatline in 2017; Slow Recovery Likely in Longer Term” published today and available from www.fitchratings.com or by clicking the link above.
Source: Fitch Ratings