EIA lowers its Brent price forecast

Brend crude oil prices will average $54 a barrel in 2015 and $56 a barrel in 2016, according to the forecasts published in the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).

“The 2015 forecast price is unchanged from last month's STEO, and the 2016 forecast price is $2 a barrel lower,” EIA said in the report.

WTI prices, according to the forecasts, will be $4 a barrel lower than the Brent price in 2015 and $5 a barrel lower in 2016.

Brent prices averaged $48 a barrel in October, a $1 a barrel increase from September, according to the EIA’s estimates. Daily Brent prices have ranged between $45 a barrel and $53 a barrel since the beginning of September.

“Oil price volatility was lower during October than during August and September, but it remains elevated compared with levels in recent years,” EIA said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December futures for WTI increased by 34 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $44.21 a barrel on Tuesday. December Brent crude on London’s ICE Futures exchange gained 25 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $47.44 a barrel.

EIA estimates that total U.S. crude oil production declined by 40,000 barrels per day in October compared with September. Crude oil production is forecast to decrease through the third quarter of 2016 before growth resumes late in 2016.

/By Trend/