Oil edges higher ahead of OPEC meet

AFP, SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose modestly in Asia yesterday ahead of a producers' meeting this week that might agree to cap supplies.
But analysts warned that optimism should be tempered by experience of two years of gluts and disagreement among members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
OPEC and Russia are slated to begin meeting later Monday on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum in Algiers, looking for ways to stabilise prices that have been depressed since 2014.
Pre-forum talks last week between OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and member Iran were bleak, with neither willing to commit to freezing production, sending prices plunging more than 3.0 per cent on Friday.
However, both major contracts rebounded on Monday after Algeria's energy minister said all options were still on the table, said OANDA market analyst Jeffrey Halley.
"With OPEC meeting on the sidelines of International Energy Forum for the next three days, and with the first (US) presidential debate happening tomorrow morning Asia time, expect oil to move on comments that range from hope to reality," he said.
At about 0740 GMT US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for November delivery was up 29 cents at $44.77 while Brent crude gained 23 cents to $46.12. Despite the positivity, fears remain that an agreement cannot be reached. Previous attempts in April were scuppered by Iran, which had just emerged from years of Western-imposed nuclear-linked sanctions. 
"Our base-case assumption is no freeze; yet, members are likely to make statements highlighting that they are closely watching market developments and will host a subsequent exceptional meeting if deemed necessary," British bank Barclays said in a research note.

Oil edges higher ahead of OPEC meet

AFP, SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose modestly in Asia yesterday ahead of a producers meeting this week that might agree to cap supplies. But analysts warned that optimism should be tempered by experience of two years of gluts and disagreement among members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC and Russia are slated to begin meeting later Monday on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum in Algiers, looking for ways to stabilise prices that have been depressed since 2014. Pre-forum talks last week between OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and member Iran were bleak, with neither willing to commit to freezing production, sending prices plunging more than 3.0 per cent on Friday. However, both major contracts rebounded on Monday after Algerias energy minister said all options were still on the table, said OANDA market analyst Jeffrey Halley. With OPEC meeting on the sidelines of International Energy Forum for the next three days, and with the first (US) presidential debate happening tomorrow morning Asia time, expect oil to move on comments that range from hope to reality, he said. At about 0740 GMT US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for November delivery was up 29 cents at $44.77 while Brent crude gained 23 cents to $46.12. Despite the positivity, fears remain that an agreement cannot be reached. Previous attempts in April were scuppered by Iran, which had just emerged from years of Western-imposed nuclear-linked sanctions. Our base-case assumption is no freeze; yet, members are likely to make statements highlighting that they are closely watching market developments and will host a subsequent exceptional meeting if deemed necessary, British bank Barclays said in a research note.