Nov 25 (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Monday following 6% gains last week, with mounting tensions between Western powers and major oil producers Russia and Iran raising fears of supply disruptions and keeping a floor under prices.
Brent crude futures fell 0.34%, or 26 cents, to $74.91 a barrel by 0931 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $70.89 a barrel, down 35 cents, or 0.49%.
Both contracts last week notched their biggest weekly gains since late September after Russia fired a hypersonic missile at Ukraine in a warning to the United States and Britain following strikes by Kyiv on Russia using U.S. and British weapons.
"Oil prices are starting the new week with some slight cool-off as market participants await more cues from geopolitical developments and the Fed's policy outlook to set the tone," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.
In addition, Iran reacted to a resolution passed by the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Thursday by ordering measures such as activating various new and advanced centrifuges used in enriching uranium.
"The likelihood for removal of some Iranian supplies has increased following the censure of Iran over its nuclear programme and the regime's agreement to hold talks suggests that the U.S. will enforce sanctions – this could remove around 1mmbopd of supply," said Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty.
The Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that it will hold talks about its disputed nuclear programme with three European powers on Nov. 29.
Markets are also expected to move this week ahead of the OPEC+ meeting on Dec.1, where the group may stick with deep oil cuts for longer due to weak demand.
"The OPEC+ summit on December 1, will further postpone the start of the planned production increases until February. Pushing back the start until Q2 or later is another possibility that would add even more support," said Tim Evans, an independent energy analyst.
Investors were also focused on rising crude oil demand in China.
China's crude imports rebounded in November as lower prices drew stockpiling demand. Chinese crude imports are likely to be further lifted by an additional import quota of at least 5.84 million metric tons (116,800 bpd) issued to independent refiners for cargoes arriving into next year, people familiar with the situation said on Monday.
A cargo ship rammed into an oil tanker off England’s northeast coast on Monday, igniting a fire and spilling jet fuel into the sea, forcing crews to abandon ship as explosions erupted.
Saudi Arabia has reduced oil prices for Asia by 40 cents per barrel, its first cut in three months. This follows OPEC+'s decision to increase supply by 138,000 barrels per day for April. The move aligns with market expectations, as Russian and Iranian oil supplies to China rise.
At least 42,000 liters of oil products have spilled into the Katwickhaven Canal near Hamburg's container port, contaminating over 90,000 cubic meters of water. Emergency crews are working to contain the spread.
The agreement could be signed by Kyiv and Washington as early as Friday, according to one report.
Brasília, Brazil, February 18, 2025 – Brazil’s government has approved joining OPEC+, a group of major oil-exporting nations, signaling a significant step in the country’s evolution into a prominent oil state.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has filed a lawsuit to stop Elon Musk from giving $2 million to voters ahead of the state’s Supreme Court election, calling it a violation of state election laws.
Severe storms have brought deadly floods to the Texas–Mexico border, killing at least four people and forcing hundreds into shelters.
M23 rebel leaders have arrived in Qatar for further talks with mediators, following an earlier meeting between the presidents of DRC and Rwanda.
Elon Musk’s xAI has acquired his social media platform X in a $33 billion all-stock deal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested placing Ukraine under temporary UN administration before negotiations on a peace deal can begin.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
A devastating overnight drone attack on Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a five-year-old child, and left ten others injured.
The Trump administration is importing eggs from Türkiye and South Korea to address shortages and record-high prices caused by a severe bird flu outbreak.
Elon Musk’s xAI has acquired his social media platform X in a $33 billion all-stock deal.
Popular coffee brands are negotiating price hikes with retailers due to a sharp rise in arabica costs, with some supermarket shelves running out of stock. Prices may increase by up to 25% as companies grapple with supply chain pressures.
Zhang Yiming, the founder of Bytedance and owner of TikTok, has become China’s richest person, according to multiple wealth rankings. Bloomberg Billionaires Index places him as the world’s 24th wealthiest individual, with his fortune estimated between $57.5 billion and $65.5 billion.
Canada has suspended Tesla rebate payments and barred the automaker from future EV incentives due to U.S. tariffs. Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland said the freeze will remain until claims are individually reviewed.
China has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which threatens to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported to the U.S. from any country that imports oil from Venezuela.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has filed a lawsuit to stop Elon Musk from giving $2 million to voters ahead of the state’s Supreme Court election, calling it a violation of state election laws.
Severe storms have brought deadly floods to the Texas–Mexico border, killing at least four people and forcing hundreds into shelters.
M23 rebel leaders have arrived in Qatar for further talks with mediators, following an earlier meeting between the presidents of DRC and Rwanda.
Elon Musk’s xAI has acquired his social media platform X in a $33 billion all-stock deal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested placing Ukraine under temporary UN administration before negotiations on a peace deal can begin.
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