NEW YORK- Oil prices edged lower on Friday and posted a weekly decline of more than 3 percent, pressured by easing concern over supply risks from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and the prospect of increased supply in 2025 even as OPEC+ is expected to extend output cuts.
Brent crude fell 34 cents, or 0.46 percent, to settle at $72.94 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 72 cents, or 1.05 percent, to settle at $68, from the last close before Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday.
Trading activity was muted because of the US public holiday.
For the week, Brent declined 3.1 percent while WTI lost 4.8 percent.
Four Israeli tanks entered a Lebanese border village, Lebanon’s official news agency said on Friday. The ceasefire that took effect on Wednesday has reduced oil’s risk premium, sending prices lower, despite accusations of violations by both sides.
However, the Middle East conflict has not disrupted supply, which is expected to be more ample in 2025. The International Energy Agency sees the prospect of more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of excess supply, equal to more than 1 percent of global output.
“The updated snapshot insinuates that next year promises to be looser than the current one and oil prices are to average below the 2024 level,” said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. The OPEC+ group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delayed its next policy meeting to Dec. 5 from Dec. 1. OPEC+ is expected to decide on a further extension to production cuts at the meeting.
