Share

Oil prices extend drop

London - Oil prices fell further on Friday on easing concerns over supply disruptions, offsetting firm demand for crude in the United States and China, traders said.

Brent North Sea crude for delivery in August dipped 13 cents to stand at $110.87 a barrel approaching midday in London.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August slipped 16c to $103.90 compared with Thursday's close.

Export terminals

Singapore's United Overseas Bank said in a client note that "supply fears begin to ease after Libya declared an end to an oil crisis that has slashed exports".

Crude prices began sliding on Wednesday after Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thani declared that authorities had wrested control of export terminals from rebels.

Production in Libya, a member of the OPEC oil cartel, has been severely limited for a year since rebels blockaded terminals as part of a campaign to restore autonomy in the country's eastern region.

Its output currently stands at some 320 000 barrels per day, about a fifth of its normal production.

Rate fell

"Libya has seen promising progress this week in regards to recovering much of its halted oil export capacity," said Dorian Lucas, an analyst at energy consultancy Inenco.

But supporting prices was news that "Asia's industrial powerhouses, China and Japan, both saw manufacturing activity expanded further in June", he added.

Meanwhile in the United States, the labour department on Thursday said the US economy added 288 000 jobs in June, well above expectations of 215 000, while the unemployment rate fell to 6.1% from 6.3% in May.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.80
+1.1%
Rand - Pound
23.49
+1.3%
Rand - Euro
20.10
+1.5%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.28
+1.0%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+2.8%
Platinum
923.40
-0.2%
Palladium
957.50
-3.3%
Gold
2,336.75
+0.2%
Silver
27.20
-0.9%
Brent Crude
89.01
+1.1%
Top 40
69,358
+1.3%
All Share
75,371
+1.4%
Resource 10
62,363
+0.4%
Industrial 25
103,903
+1.3%
Financial 15
16,161
+2.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders